Cappucino Muffins

Coffee. Wonderful. Delicious.

I love the smell of coffee.  I am not a huge coffee drinker but I do love those frou frou coffee drinks.  The last two weeks my mother in law has been visiting and she is an avid book reader.  She has been reading a series called, "Coffeehouse Mysteries"  by Cleo Coyle and in the back of each book are recipes that were featured in the book.  I wrote down one that looked really good and decided that I would make it this afternoon.  I improvised a little because I was too lazy to go to the store twice in one day.  So, the sour cream that was supposed to be one cup became a spatula scoop.  I also did not put the icing on that it called for.  I sprinkled powdered sugar on top along with some miniature chocolate chips and sliced almonds. They turned out pretty tasty!

On a side note, I received my candle order today that consisted of Black Coffee and Gingerbread.  They were handmade by a friend of mine who owns Smelly Things Candle Co.  You are able to select your color and scent.  They are 100% soy.  They also come nicely packaged for gift giving if you'd like.  I can't wait to burn one tonight!

Here's the recipe:

Clare's Cappucino Muffins - Serves 12 jumbo or 18ish standard

2 c. sifted flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 c. powdered unsweetened cocoa
2 tbsp dark ground coffee beans
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 chocolate chips
1 c. ground hazelnut or almonds
1 tsp orange zest (I used dried orange zest.)
1/2 c. butter (I used butter flavor crisco.)
1/2 c brown sugar
1 c. sour cream
3/4 c. milk
2 eggs
1/4 c. double strength cooled coffee
*I added a tsp of vanilla, also.

Sift the dry ingredients together. Add the chocolate chips, nuts, and orange zest.  In another bowl, mix together the butter, sugar, milk, eggs, and cooled coffee.  Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until combined.  Pour into lined tins.  Bake 20-25 minutes for jumbo or about 15 minutes for standard at 375 degrees.

Glaze:
2 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 tbsp milk
1/2 stick of butter, room temp.

Mix together and ice the muffins.