It’s starting to feel like Doc and I live in the woods with Goldilocks and the 3 bears but in this story it’s Doc, the three snakes, and me. About 3 weeks ago “Papa” snake shed his skin on our back deck. He was about 3 feet long. Then 2 weeks later “Momma and Baby” snake came and shed their skin at the same location. I have no idea what kind of snakes they are but am a little bit worried because a copperhead was killed in our yard last year!  So much for living in the woods! 

These muffins are a great way to sneak healthy fruit and vegetables into your children’s diet. Full of carrots, orange, and apples; your children will think they are eating yummy muffins that taste like oranges! 

Back to School Orange Muffins

Orange Muffins
1/4 cup Craisins (soaked in hot water for 10 minutes then drained)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 and 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup vegetable shortening
1/2 cup orange marmalade
Zest of 1 orange
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/3 cup lightly beaten eggs (about 1 and 1/2 eggs)
1/2 cup finely grated carrots (in a mini food processor)
1/2 cup finely grated granny smith apples (in a mini food processor)Cinnamon Sugar Topping
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon iodized salt
1 and 1/2 teaspoons melted, unsalted butter

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Line 18 muffin cups with paper liners. Soak Craisins in hot water then drain. While Craisins are soaking, measure flour, baking powder and baking soda in a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine. Stir in brown sugar breaking up any lumps. Cut in shortening with a pastry cutter or 2 knives until the shortening is the size of small peas. Set aside. 

In a different, large mixing bowl; add orange marmalade, orange juice, vanilla, and eggs. Stir to combine. In a mini food processor fitted with a metal blade, process cut up carrots until finely chopped.  (Measure 1/2 cup after grating.) Stir into orange juice mixture. Process apple slices in mini food processor until finely chopped.  (Measure 1/2 cup after grating) Stir into to orange juice mixture. 

Add flour mixture to orange juice mixture. Using large strokes and a very large spoon; stir batter 15 times. About a fourth of the flour mixture will not be completely wet. Don’t worry it is supposed to be that way! Using an ice cream scoop, scoop batter into prepared paper muffin liners until they are 3/4 of the way full. Do not overfill or muffins will overflow and stick to the top of the pan!  

For topping: Stir together sugar, cinnamon and salt. Melt butter in microwave. Stir butter into sugar mixture until evenly combined. Sprinkle topping over each individual muffin. Bake 375ºF for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Makes 18 muffins. Enjoy, Friends!

Published in The News and Neighbor on August 23, 2023.