Apple Muffins with Streusel Topping

Makes 12

Ingredients
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
2/3 cup white sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
2/3 cup milk
1 green apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped

Streusel topping
¼ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
3 TBSP light brown sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
2 TBSP unsalted butter, softened
1/3 cup chopped pecans

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin pan with paper cupcake liners.

With an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar together until fluffy. Beat in vanilla extract. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Sift flour and baking powder in to a small bowl. Fold flour mixture into butter mixture alternately with milk. Fold in apple. Spoon mixture into prepared liners to two-thirds full.

To make streusel topping, whisk together flour, sugar and cinnamon. Using fingertips, rub in butter. Stir in pecans. Sprinkle topping evenly over cupcakes.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, until a skewer inserted in the center of a cupcake tests clean. Cool in pan for 5 minutes, and then transfer muffins to wire rack to cool completely.

"Cupcakes & Muffins" Published by Weldon Owen, 2011.

Meringue Ghosts

Meringue Ghosts Tested Recipe & Video

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Meringue Ghosts are haphazard mounds of sweetened meringue studded with cute little candy eyes. Although it is obvious that children enjoy the look and taste of these ghosts, I find that adults are not immune to their charms. I love how the outside of the meringue ghosts are so light and crisp that they immediately dissolve on the tongue, while their insides are soft like a marshmallow, and oh so sweet. Serve these at your next Halloween gathering and watch them disappear.



If you look at this recipe and find yourself a little nervous about making a meringue, don't be. Meringue is simply a mixture of stiffly beaten egg whites and superfine (caster) sugar. The trick to making a good meringue is to get the egg whites to reach their maximum volume. This is achieved by first having your mixing bowl and whisk clean and free of grease. Next, you want to have the egg whites at room temperature. It is easier to separate the eggs while they are still cold, and once separated, cover the egg whites and let them come to room temperature before using (about 30 minutes). (Cover and refrigerate the egg yolks for another use.) Make sure that there are no little specks of egg yolk in the egg whites as this will prevent the whites from reaching their full volume when beaten. The recipe calls for superfine sugar which dissolves easier in the whites than regular granulated white sugar. Because superfine sugar can be hard to find in grocery stores, just make your own by taking 1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar and processing it in your food processor until very fine.

There are a few more things to keep in mind when making these meringue ghosts. The standard ratio when making meringues is 1/4 cup (50 grams) of sugar for every egg white and this amount of sugar is needed to give the meringue its crispness. Now you want to add the sugar gradually to the egg whites as this ensures that the sugar completely dissolves and does not produce a gritty meringue. Cream of tartar is also used in the whipping of egg whites to stabilize them, helps them to reach maximum volume, and prevents over beating. The meringue is ready when it forms stiff peaks (looks like marshmallow cream) and when you rub a little between your thumb and index finger it does not feel gritty. If it feels gritty the sugar has not fully dissolved so keep beating until it feels smooth between your fingers.

Once the meringue is made, the next step is to pipe the ghosts. I like to do this with a piping bag fitted with a 1/2 inch (1 cm) plain tip. When piping the ghosts, have the bag perpendicular to the parchment paper-lined baking sheet and, using even pressure, pipe about 2 inch (5 cm) high mounds of meringue. You can make the mounds any shape you want. Then carefully press two candy eyes (you can find candy eyes at cake decorating stores or you can order them online at http://www.candylandcrafts.com/) or two miniature chocolate chips or edible silver dragees into each mound and bake the meringue ghosts in a slow oven for about 1 - 1 1/2 hours or until they are crisp and dry to the touch. The slow oven allows for gradual evaporation of the moisture from the meringues. If you decide to make meringues on a rainy or humid day, you will probably have to bake the meringues longer (could be up to 30 minutes more).

Related Recipes You May Like

Halloween Chocolate Spiders

Halloween Whoopie Pies

Halloween Cheesecakes

Gingerbread Cookies

Candy Corn Parfaits

Halloween Cookies

Meringue Ghosts: Preheat oven to 200 degrees F (105 degrees C) and place the rack in the center of the oven. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Have ready a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) plain tip.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, with the whisk attachment, beat the egg whites on low-medium speed until foamy. Add the cream of tartar and continue to beat the whites until they hold soft peaks. Add the sugar, a little at a time, and continue to beat until the meringue holds very stiff peaks. Beat in the vanilla extract.

Note: The meringue is done when it holds stiff peaks and when you rub a little between your thumb and index finger it does not feel gritty. If it feels gritty the sugar has not fully dissolved so keep beating until it feels smooth between your fingers.

Before placing the meringue ghosts on the cookie sheet, place a little of the meringue on the underside of each corner of the parchment paper. This will prevent the paper from sliding. Transfer the meringue to the pastry bag and, holding the bag perpendicular to the baking sheet, pipe, with even pressure, about 2 inch (5 cm) high mounds of meringue. Carefully press two candy eyes, edible silver dragees, or two miniature chocolate chips into each meringue ghost.

Bake the meringues for approximately 1 - 1 1/2 hours or until they are dry and crisp to the touch. Turn off the oven, open the door, and leave the meringues in the oven to finish drying several hours, or even overnight.

The Meringue Ghosts will keep several days at room temperature.

Makes 20-24 Meringue Ghosts

Sources:

Mead, Matthew. Matthew Mead's Monster Book of Halloween. Time Inc. New York: 2009.

Usher, Julia M. Cookie Swap. Gibbs Smith. Layton Utah: 2009.

http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/spooky-ghost-meringues-recipe.html



Meringue Ghosts:

4 large egg whites (120 grams)

1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar

1 cup (200 grams) superfine or caster sugar (if you don't have superfine sugar simply take 1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar and process it for about 30 seconds in a food processor)

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Candy eyes

Note: You can find candy eyes at cake decorating stores or you can order them online at http://www.candylandcrafts.com/.)

Note: Instead of candy eyes, you can use miniature chocolate chips.



Read more: http://www.joyofbaking.com/halloweenrecipes/MeringueGhosts.html#ixzz1ZNgNnGQ1

Vanilla Cupcakes

Vanilla Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) and line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract.

In a separate bowl whisk together the lemon zest, flour, baking powder, and salt.

With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and milk, in three additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Evenly fill the muffin cups with the batter and bake for about 17 - 20 minutes or just until set and a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean. (Always check a few minutes before the stated baking time. Do not over bake or the cupcakes will be dry.) Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Once the cupcakes have completely cooled, frost with icing. If you want flat topped cupcakes then slice off the dome of each cupcake, with a sharp knife, before frosting. If you want to pipe the frosting, I like to use a large Wilton 1M star decorating tip. Cupcakes are best eaten the same day they are made, but they can be covered and stored for a few days.

Confectioners (Buttercream) Frosting: In an electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, cream the butter until smooth and well blended. Add the vanilla extract. With the mixer on low speed, gradually beat in the sugar. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the milk and beat on high speed until frosting is light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes). Add a little more milk or sugar, if needed. Tint the frosting with desired food color (I use the paste food coloring that is available at cake decorating stores and party stores).

Makes about 12 cupcakes

Source:

Hay, Donna. Modern Classics Book 2. Harper Collins Publishers Inc. New York: 2003.

Patent, Greg. Baking in America. Houghton Mifflin Company. New York: 2002.



Vanilla Cupcakes:

1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

2/3 cup (130 grams) granulated white sugar

3 large eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Zest of 1 large lemon (outer yellow skin)

1 1/2 cups (195 grams) all purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup (60 ml) milk

Confectioners (Buttercream) Frosting:

2 cups (230 grams) confectioners sugar (icing or powdered sugar), sifted

1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

2 tablespoons milk or light cream

Assorted food colors (if desired)



Read more: http://www.joyofbaking.com/VanillaCupcakes.html#ixzz1ZNWBfJOu

Chocolate Cupcakes

Chocolate Cupcakes: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly butter, or line 16 muffin cups with paper liners.

In a small bowl stir until smooth the boiling hot water and the cocoa powder. Let cool to room temperature.

In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

Then in the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating until smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla extract. Add the flour mixture and beat only until incorporated. Then add the cooled cocoa mixture and stir until smooth.

Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full with batter and bake for about 16 - 20 minutes or until risen, springy to the touch, and a toothpick inserted into a cupcake comes out clean. (Do not over bake or the cupcakes will be dry.) Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool. Once the cupcakes have completely cooled, frost with icing. You can either spread the frosting on the cupcakes with a small spatula or if piping, use a large Wilton 1M open star tip to make lovely swirls. These cupcakes are best the day they are made, but can be covered and stored for a few days.

Chocolate Frosting: Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter until smooth and creamy (about 1 minute). Add the sugar and beat until it is light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Beat in the vanilla extract. Add the chocolate and beat on low speed until incorporated. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until frosting is smooth and glossy (about 2 -3 minutes).

Makes about 16 cupcakes.

Sources:

Bell, Annie. 'Gorgeous Cakes'. Kyle Books. Distributed by National Book Network. Lanham, MD: 2005.

Lewis, Matt & Nelson, Alison. 'Chocolate Bar'. Stonesong Press. New York: 2004.


Chocolate Cupcakes:

1/2 cup (50 grams) Dutch-processed cocoa powder

1 cup (240 ml) boiling hot water

1 1/3 cups (175 grams) all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

Chocolate Fudge Frosting:

4 ounces (120 grams) unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped

2/3 cup (150 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 1/3 cups (160 grams) confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar, sifted

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract



Read more: http://www.joyofbaking.com/ChocolateCupcakes.html#ixzz1ZNV9DCSx

Alfajores

Dulce de Leche: Put the milk, sugar, corn syrup, baking soda and salt in a heavy-duty 8 quart (8 liter) saucepan or Dutch oven. Place over medium-high heat and bring just to a boil. Watch carefully, and as soon as the milk begins to foam up, stir with a heatproof spatula or wooden spoon, and reduce heat until the milk is just at a low rolling boil. Continue to cook the milk, stirring the bottom and sides of the saucepan frequently, until the mixture becomes very thick and sticky and caramel colored (this will take about 40 - 60 minutes). It is important to frequently stir the milk so it does not burn.


Dulce de Leche Video

Note: There are several stages the milk goes through during the cooking process. When the milk first comes to a boil there is a lot of foam. Eventually the foam subsides and after about 15 minutes, the milk turns a light beige color. As it continues to cook, the milk thickens and gets darker in color. Once the Dulce de Leche has been reduced to about 1 1/4 cups (300 ml) remove from heat and strain. Stir in the vanilla extract. Let cool before covering and storing. The Dulce de Leche can be stored in the fridge for a month.

Shortbreads: In a separate bowl whisk the flour with the salt. In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter until smooth and creamy. Add the sugar and beat until smooth. Beat in the vanilla extract. Gently beat in the flour mixture just until incorporated. Flatten the dough into a disk shape, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill the dough for at least an hour or until firm.


Shortbread Cookies Video

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) with the rack in the middle of the oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough until it is about 1/4 inch (.6 cm) thick. Using a lightly floured 2 inch (5 cm) round cookie cutter, cut out rounds. Place on the baking sheets and place in the fridge for about 15 minutes. (This will firm the cookies so they maintain their shape when baked.) Bake for about 7 - 10 minutes, or until cookies are brown around the edges. Cool on a wire rack. Shortbread cookies with keep in an airtight container for about a week.

Alfajores: Take two shortbread cookies and sandwich them together with a heaping teaspoon of Dulce de Leche. Sprinkle the tops of the cookies with confectioners sugar. Can be covered and stored for a few days in the refrigerator.

Makes about 24 Alfajores cookies.

Dulce de Leche:

4 cups (1 quart) (1 liter) whole milk (cow's or goat's milk)

3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated white sugar

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Shortbread Cookies:

2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup (2 sticks) (226 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup (60 grams) confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract



Read more: http://www.joyofbaking.com/shortbreads/AlfajoresRecipe.html#ixzz1ZNUmWzCo

Chocolate Muffins Tested

Chocolate Muffins: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Position rack in center of oven. Butter, or line with paper liners, 12 - 2 3/4 x 1 1/2 inch muffin cups.

In a large measuring cup or bowl whisk together the melted butter, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract.

In another large bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in the chocolate chips. With a rubber spatula fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir only until the ingredients are combined. Do not over mix the batter or tough muffins will result.

Evenly fill the muffin cups with the batter (the muffin cups will be full), using two spoons or an ice cream scoop. Place in the oven and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for about 5 minutes before removing from pan.

Chocolate Frosting: Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter until smooth and creamy (about 1 minute). Add the sugar and beat until it is light and fluffy (about 2 minutes). Beat in the vanilla extract. Add the chocolate and beat on low speed until incorporated. Increase the speed to medium-high and beat until frosting is smooth and glossy (about 2 -3 minutes). Spread a little frosting on each muffin with a knife or offset spatula.

Makes 12 - 14 regular sized muffins.

Source:

King Arthur Flour, The King Arthur Flour Baker's Companion. The Countryman Press. Woodstock: 2003.



Chocolate Muffins:

1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

2 large eggs

1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 3/4 cups (230 grams) all-purpose flour

2/3 cup (60 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/4 cups (265 grams) light brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup (170 grams) milk or semisweet chocolate chips

Chocolate Fudge Frosting: (optional)

4 ounces (120 grams) unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped

2/3 cup (150 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 1/3 cups (160 grams) confectioners (powdered or icing) sugar, sifted

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract



Read more: http://www.joyofbaking.com/muffins/ChocolateMuffins.html#ixzz1ZNUeI946

Raspberry White Chocolate Shortbreads

Shortbreads: In a separate bowl whisk the flour with the salt.

In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the butter until smooth (about 1 minute). Add the sugar and beat until smooth (about 2 minutes). Beat in the vanilla extract. Gently stir in the flour mixture just until incorporated. Flatten the dough into a disk shape, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill the dough for at least an hour.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) with the rack in the middle of the oven. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.

On a lightly floured surface roll out the dough until it is about 1/4 inch (1 cm) thick. Using a 2 to 3 inch (5 to 7.5 cm) cookie cutter (round, square, heart, etc.) cut out the dough. Place the cookies about 1 inch (2.5 cm) apart on the prepared baking sheets. Use a smaller cookie cutter (3/4 - 1 inch (2.5 cm)) to cut out the centers of half of the cookies on the baking sheet. (You will be sandwiching two cookies together and there will be a small 'window or cut out' in the top cookie so you can see the jam underneath.) Place the unbaked cookies, on the baking sheet, in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes. This will firm up the dough so the cookies will maintain their shape when baked. Bake for about 10 minutes, or until cookies are lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack.

To Assemble Cookies: Place the cookies with the cut-outs on a wire rack and dust the tops with the confectioners' (powdered or icing) sugar.

On the bottom surface of the full cookie (top of cookie will face out) spread with about a 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon of jam. Sprinkle with a little grated white chocolate. Place the cut-out cookie on top and gently sandwich them together, making sure not to smug the confectioners' sugar. Using a small spoon, fill the cut-out with a little more jam.

Makes about 12 sandwich cookies.

Note: You can store the unassembled cookies for several days in an airtight container. It is best, though, to assemble the cookies the same day as serving in order to keep the cookies crisp.

Homemade Raspberry Preserves: Place the frozen unsweetened raspberries and the sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated. Do not let it burn. Remove from heat and pour into a heatproof measuring cup. You should have almost a cup of preserves. Add a drop or two of lemon juice. Cover and place in the refrigerator for a few days before using.

Source:

Johnson, Jann. Shortbread. Chronicle Books. San Francisco. 1997.



Shortbreads:

2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup (60 grams) powdered (confectioners or icing) sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Filling:

1/4 - 1/2 cup of raspberry jam or homemade raspberry preserves

2 ounces (60 grams) white chocolate, grated

Homemade Raspberry Preserves: (optional)

2 cups (225 grams) (8 ounces) frozen raspberries, unsweetened

1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated white sugar

a few drops of fresh lemon juice



Read more: http://www.joyofbaking.com/shortbreads/RaspberryWhiteChocolateShortbreads.html#ixzz1ZNUNRXmO