After enjoying lunch at Panera Bread we (I) spent some time snapping pictures on a cloudy, overcast day.
These photos were taken at The Promenade, an up-scale shopping plaza in the business area of our town.
Even in January there is vibrant color in these bushes.
A pair of statues enjoying a game of checkers.
More statues intended for the enjoyment of those strolling by.
Back home, it was into the kitchen to warm up and make some homey apple muffins. Nothing fancy but full of rustic goodness. They are on the dense side with a crisp outside and tender inside and loaded with apple and raisins.
They are a hearty breakfast favorite in our home.
Apple Raisin Muffins
See update below
Ingredients:
Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup melted butter or margarine
1/4 cup milk (I like to add a splash more)
1 extra large egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (large) peeled, finely chopped tart green apple
1 package (1 cup) Sun-Maid Baking Raisins
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup melted butter or margarine
1/4 cup milk (I like to add a splash more)
1 extra large egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (large) peeled, finely chopped tart green apple
1 package (1 cup) Sun-Maid Baking Raisins
Directions:
HEAT oven to 400 F. Grease or line 12 (2 -inch) muffin cups with paper baking cups.
COMBINE flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt, mix well.
COMBINE butter, milk, egg, vanilla and apple.
ADD to flour mixture; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened.
FOLD in raisins.
SPOON batter into prepared muffin cups.
BAKE at 400 F in upper third of oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
For 24 mini muffins, bake 15-17 minutes.
VARIATION: Substitute grated carrot or zucchini for chopped apple.
Makes 12 muffins.
~*~
RECIPE UP-DATE October 2011
I experimented with this recipe because I wanted to reduce the amount of butter and because I thought the batter a bit too dry. I like the new results. Here is what I changed:
* Decreased the butter to 1/4 cup
* Added 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
* Made 10 muffins instead of 12
Panera has lots of yummy things! Nice pictures of some fun statues!
xoxo…Kathy
Love the statues and the water spout but the muffin is calling my name!! :0)
The photos are great. I like those statues playing checkers.
The muffins look very yummy. I might have to give that recipe a try
Those are interesting statues.
You have so many wonderful recipes. Those muffins sound great!
Oh, I'm drooling already looking at your fabulous muffins.
Great photos! Thanks for sharing. The muffins look so good.
Love Panera! Haven't been in awhile, I'm going to try and get out next week to do some shopping and then stop on my way home for some soup! The statues look really fun! The muffins look delicious as always! Enjoy your day!
Beautiful series of pictures. The muffin looks very yummy.
The Promenade looks like a very nice place to stroll around snapping photos! The pair of checker players is fun.
I would love to get in the habit of baking regularly…and I'd like to start with these apple muffins! YUM!
Great pics of your day! The recipe looks delicious. Gonna grab that one.
Hugs,
Tara
The muffins look delicious and your photos, as always, are great!!!