Muffins de Cannelle Français

Almost 4 years ago, I started this blog to help me further explore my passion--cooking.  Married, but childless, I was free to plan exquisite meals, shop leisurely, and make my Sunday morning cooking classes w/ all sorts of regularity.  Ahh, the simple days.  And then, a huge career shift happened--launching me into a serious travel schedule; and then our son Michael entered the world.

Have you ever tried to get anything done with a baby/toddler in your kitchen?  Impossible.  

So here I am, a few years later, back at my blog--this time, with a renewed sense of purpose; because while my career has taken off; this little passion is going.to.be.my.future.  It just is.  

The one thing I've learned in the past few years though, is how to really impress a toddler w/ food.  And if you've met my toddler, as cute as he may be, he can be a picky eater.  So when I learned he was interested in my version of french pastries--I took on baking them like nobody's business.  Lucky 2-year-old; right?  I wonder when he'll appreciate that mom wakes up and bakes him french pastries? 

So, in the spirit of all things new; and with the approval of the little man; here's my first recipe of 2015.  French Cinnamon Muffins--or Muffins de Cannelle Francais; as google has so helpfully translated for me. 

Ingredients: 

3 cups flour (AP)

3 tsp. baking powder

1tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 cup sugar

2/3 cups butter

2 eggs

1 cup whole milk

2 sticks butter (unsalted)

1 1/4 cups sugar

4 tsp. cinnamon.

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease muffin tins (recipe makes approximately 12-18 muffins).  Cream together 1 cup sugar and 2/3 cup butter.  Add eggs, and mix.  Add, alternating, flour and milk, until combined.  Add salt, baking powder, 1/2 tsp cinnamon and mix again.  Fill muffin cups and bake for approx. 20 minutes, until slightly golden.  

Remove and set aside. 

In one bowl, melt 2 sticks butter.  In other bowl, mix 1 1/4 cups sugar and 4 tsp cinnamon.  Dip warm muffins in the butter, coating, then roll in cinnamon mixture.  

These muffins are great right out of the oven, and freeze well too!  We usually make a batch, and freeze for quick morning munchies; and they travel well! 

So there you have it.  French pastry muffins, toddler approved.