Forget the eggnog hangover! This year, enjoy all the creamy, spiced deliciousness of eggnog in a perfectly portioned, deliciously moist muffin. These Eggnog Muffins are the perfect holiday treat, easy enough for a busy weeknight, yet impressive enough for a festive brunch. They’re a delightful blend of comforting flavors and are guaranteed to become a new family favorite. These healthy and easy recipes are perfect for homemade cooking and a great addition to your quick dinner ideas.
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup eggnog
Instructions:
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Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it well. This is crucial for easy removal of your delicious eggnog muffins.
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Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Make sure all the dry ingredients are thoroughly combined to ensure even baking.
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Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. An electric mixer makes this step a breeze, but you can certainly achieve the same results with a good old-fashioned whisk and some elbow grease.
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Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract and eggnog until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter; a few lumps are okay.
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Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Again, avoid overmixing.
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Fill Muffin Cups: Fill each muffin cup about ¾ full.
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Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Cool: Let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Perfect Eggnog Muffins:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature butter and eggs will help create a lighter and fluffier muffin.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing the batter will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough muffins. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Check for Doneness: Start checking for doneness around 18 minutes to avoid overbaking. Every oven is slightly different.
Variations:
- Spiced it up: Add a pinch of freshly grated ginger or a dash of rum extract for an extra kick of flavor.
- Nutty Delight: Fold in ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts for added texture and flavor.
- Chocolate Swirl: Mix 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder into 2 tablespoons of the batter and swirl it into the muffin cups before baking.
Nutritional Information (per muffin, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 250
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
- Sodium: 150mg
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 15g
- Protein: 4g
These delicious eggnog muffins are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful afternoon snack. They’re simple enough for everyday baking and special enough for any holiday gathering. Enjoy!