So it's halfterm (finally) and since school seems to be locked up tight, preventing me from catching up on the endless marking, it's time to cook. I've been poring over the many various cooking blogs out there, picking and choosing and pinning (God, but I'm loveing Pinterest) so many recipes for the future. I've discovered the Pioneer Woman Cooks, and I'm a total convert.
I cannot duplicate Ree's fabulously witty repartee, but whilst skyping with my good pal Effbit, we decided it would be fun to document some of the lovely things I've been making. Naturally we didn't think of this before commencing the days goodies. Oh no, only smart organised women do that and whilst Effie is sharp as a tack, it's halfterm and I can barely remember my own name, let alone remember to take pictures of my cooking from the start. So you'll just have to make do with Blue Peter 'Here's one I made earlier' shots, and step by steps for the main attraction.
So what are these goodies you speak of, I hear you cry, well as I'm currently craving nothing but unhealthy crap, they are mostly chocolate related. Today's efforts were Mars bar Crispies (or death on a plate as my mamma calls them, though I note that it doesn't stop her from eating them), BBQ pizza (cos I can't afford Dominos right now) and Chocolate Orange Muffins. The pizza and crispies will be later blog posts (if anyone actually manages to follow the recipe in this one!) Therefore, without further ado I give you
Chocolate Orange Brownie Muffins
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| This was the only decently piped muffin in the end, admire it at your leisure. |
I first came across this recipe at KnitCamp in 2010. A very kind fellow Raveller came to catch up with me there and brought me these to munch on while I travelled between Edinburgh and Stirling. The plain muffins she made were so delicious, even a few days later, that I had to ask for the recipe and when she gave it to me, I couldn't believe how simple and quick it was. Naturally, being me, I've mixed it up a little and obviously you can too.
So what do you need to make these delectable delights?
For the muffins:
150g butter
190g sugar (It doesn't matter what colour, I use a third each of light brown, dark brown & castor (superfine) sugar)
130g Orange flavour drinking chocolate (I plumped for Options-Low Calorie in outrageous orange, but hell, who am I kidding? These brownies are nowhere near healthy. Eat them at your peril I tell you!)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs (cold, so sticking in the fridge an hour or so before you want to use them)
2 tbsps ricotta cheese (optional, but it does make them extra yummy. Sadly, I had none left today)
80 g plain flour
For the frosting:
140g butter (room temp is best)
280g Icing (confectioners) sugar
1tbsp orange extract (or if like me you like cooking with booze, Grand Marnier)
a few drops of food colouring if you feel like it. Since it's Halloween, I'm going with orange ;-)
So good cooks make preparations, like placing their rack in the centre of the oven before pre-heating it to 225 centigrade (approx 435 Fahrenheit). Me, I turn the oven on, then hunt around for all the equipment I'll need, then have to use my oven mitts to move the rack back down from where I was grilling sausages the other day for my white hot mess o'pasta. nom nom nom!
Anyhoo, Preheat your oven to 225 and get out the following;
a microwaveable glass bowl,
a wooden spoon,
a sharp knife,
1/2 teaspoon measure,
a measuring jug,
a muffin tray,
Cupcake wrappers (I used silcone ones)
an ice-cream scoop (or a spoon if you like)
And so we get to the method, which like I said already, is unbelieveably simple.
cube the butter and place it into your glass bowl.
Place the sugars and drinking chocolate on top,
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| mmm Sandy Deliciousness |
then microwave for about 30 seconds on high.
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| Please don't look at the mix I spilled when putting the bowl in! |
You want to melt the butter and stir the contents together til totally combined. Don't panic if it looks curdled at this point. That's totally normal...apparently.
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| Don't panic Mr Mainwaring! |
Now, return the bowl to the microwave and heat til it's hot. Not boiling, just hot. If the side of the bowl is unpleasantly warm to touch, then you're there. My 850 watt machine does this in just under a minute, but you'll want to adjust depending on how your baby works. Give the mix another good stir then leave the bowl to one side to cool down again
Now crack your eggs into the measuring jug, add the 1/2 tsp vanilla and beat them well.
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| Damn! With that belly I really shouldn't be making brownies. |
Once the chocolate mix has cooled, add the eggs a wee bit at a time, beating well between additions and watch the mix go glossy. If you're going to add the ricotta, this is the time to do it folks.
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| Shiny shiny shiny |
Add the flour and stir until there are no more streaks of flour visible. Now beat the whole mixture firmly for 40 strokes. You can do more if you like, but it's not necessary really.
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| Look at that snowstorm! And it's nothing compared to the blizzard of icing sugar I got all over the kitchen when making the frosting. |
Put your cupcake wrappers into your muffin tray, then use your ice-cream scoop (or spoons if you like, I just find that the scoop helps me with portioning and is easier to use than spoons) to fill your cases. I got 9 muffins out of this mix.
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| Ooh, the timer caught an action shot. I flove action shots |
Bake for 13-15 minutes in the centre of the oven. Once they're done, allow them to cool in the pan for 5-10 minutes, then remove from the pan and wrappers and allow to cool thoroughly before frosting. I took this opportunity to eat my BBQ pizza and watch 'Don't tell the bride' (what was the man thinking!) and this week's 'Haven' whilst trying to fix my Frankie scarf (don't even bother asking about that hot mess).
Making the frosting couldn't be simpler. Beat all the frosting ingredients in a bowl til they are totally combined and are piping consistency. If you need to make it runnier, add a little milk, to make it thicker, add a little icing sugar. Shove this mix into whatever piping implement you prefer. I have a wee gun whojamaflip from the pampered chef (thanks mum!) which works a treat. Pipe your muffins however you prefer, then munch away to your heart's (if not your ass's) content.
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| Immediately after the flash went on this photo, I dropped the piping gun, sending orange frosting everywhere. Ask Effie, she laughed like a drain while I cleaned it all up again. |
And there you have it people. Chocolate Orange Brownie Muffins. Gooey, sticky, sweet delights.
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| Don't look at the piping. I'd had several ciders by that point. |
Happy Cooking people! Effbit, If I could get these to you, I totally would. Damn that ocean between us :-(
BTW- This was my first recipe/tutorial so feedback would be appreciated, as would pictures of your finished muffins ;-)
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