Roasted Onion Brie Muffins

I know! Tomorrow is Thanksgiving!!! But if you haven't fully figured out what you're making...might I suggest these muffins as a unique alternative to rolls? Because you guys...they're awesome. You and your friends/family will loooove them!

Savory muffins should be a more commonplace thing! They're so much easier to make than rolls and they're just as full of carb-y goodness and you can do so many different flavor combinations! Like.....seriously.....sweet roasted onions and buttery brie paired with just a hint of rosemary all in a slightly tangy buttermilk muffin....I WOULD HAVE NEVER THOUGHT OF IT but I am so glad that I tried it because...whoa. Delish. Addictive. Unique. And baking them makes your house smell amazing.

I definitely suggest you make these if you're having a get-together (or if your family can eat 12 muffins) because these are really best the day that they're baked! And seriously...look at that muffin--look at the delicious roasted onions all up in there. And the melted brie on top. Om nom nom nom noooommm! Commence the eating!

Double Chocolate Coconut Flour Muffins {Gluten-free, Dairy free, Paleo, Low fat}

Hurray! I did it! I made a healthy-like really...actually healthy-thing and Michael liked it and complimented it and had no comments like "yeah it's ok but it would be better if it were sweeter..." etc. These muffins are that healthy thing.

Now-if you're into the paleo thing or if you're gluten-free or dairy free, good news! You can totally eat these muffins! And if you're not paleo or dairy free? Feel free to use peanut butter and cow milk in this recipe (which I, in fact, did). I was super excited about the gluten-free aspect because I was able to use some of the coconut flour that I've had just sitting in my refrigerator, and these muffins were by far the best recipe I've made using it! Anyway, regardless of dietary needs--these are just taaasty tasty muffins! The texture is really nice and they have a perfect amount of chocolate flavor. They taste like a delicious and healthy treat that make an amazing breakfast or snack! (And if you're really being good-you can even make these your dessert.)

Michael even let one of his co-workers try a muffin and she raved about them. She loved that they're not too sweet but they don't taste like health food either. They're just...good! 

Which is good becaaaaause....I've got a wedding dress to wear in 10 days!

eep.

{Healthier} Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl "Cupcakes"

Are these muffins? Are these cupcakes? Are they some sort of healthier hybrid?? We may never know. But-for simplicity's sake...we'll call them cupcakes. Even though they have no frosting...and are actually acceptable for breakfast...

...just....go with me on this.

These cupcakes are made with whole wheat flour, Greek yogurt, egg whites, TWO bananas, and  swirl of peanut butter (or-in my case-homemade almond peanut butter). They also have unsweetened cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips which are perfectly fine. And...and I mean...there's also a little bit of all purpose flour, sugar, and some peanut butter chips. But not much of them! So I definitely still ate these as my healthy snack and for breakfast. (Not that I've never eaten a full on cupcake or cookie for breakfast...I have...I just, ya know, felt semi-bad about it.)

My brother and I were big fans of these--which makes sense. They combine chocolate, banana, and peanut butter. Which we love. Our only complaint is a wish that there was more peanut butter sooo---if you wanna be extra generous with your peanut butter swirl...I certainly would approve. Michael didn't adore these (he thought they were fine), largely because they have a fairly obvious banana flavor and he is not a banana fan. But that's ok! They're so moist and soft and there's gooey chocolate chips (if you're smart and eat these warm) and a bit of peanut butter and just...mmm. They're delicious enough that I don't mind not sharing!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oat Muffins {HEALTHY}

Muffins get kind of a bum rap in the breakfast world.

Not that people don't love em...oh no...people LOVE muffins. But everyone says they're not healthy, it's cake for breakfast, sugar, carbs, blah blah blahhhhhh. Well, worry no more my friends! You can eat THESE muffins and not have your annoying best friend who's going to grad school for nutrition and food science giving you a hard time about it (wait...is that just me?). REGARDLESS-muffins. Healthified. Oh yeah.

These muffins taste healthy. But like...in a good way. In a hearty, filling, makes you feel good about yourself kind of way. There are oats, whole wheat flour, Greek yogurt, peanut butter....and....well....ok....chocolate chips. BUT you can omit them if you really want. But like...dark chocolate is an antioxidant. And really, there are NOT a lot of choc chips in this recipe.

Really. Seriously. I'm not kidding. Scout's honor.* (I really was a Girl Scout so you know that's legit.)

The only problem I have when I make muffins is....there's 12. For just me and Michael. And we can each really only eat like 1 a day soooo it's a smidge difficult. But no worries, these beautiful muffins did not go to waste-I gave a few to the parents of a little girl I babysit, and Michael and I managed to finish off the rest. :D

Of course you can always freeze leftover muffins. Or, if you have a big family, do not worry because these will get gobbled up before you know it! Perfect for breakfast or a nice healthy snack!

Coffee Cake Muffins with @ZulkaSugar

Hey there guys! Happy Monday! I've got a little breakfast treat for you, and-on top of that-I'm gonna introduce you to my new favorite thing: Zulka Pure Cane Sugar.

You're probably all like-huh? What's that? Don't worry fair readers, I'm getting to that. Zulka Pure Cane Sugar is a Non-GMO Project verified “Morena” sugar. Morena sugar describes granulated sugars that do not undergo conventional refining processes, which remove the complexity and flavor in raw sugar cane after it has been pressed. So to sum up-it's like all natural n stuff AND you can use it to replace granulated sugar cup by cup (so a recipe calls for 1 cup granulated sugar? Use 1 cup Zulka. Simple.) for cooking, baking, beverages, in coffee...literally anything.

I've always been semi-skeptical about using natural sugars in my baking (WHAT IF IT DOESN'T TURN OUT RIGHT??!) but omg I am in love with Zulka Pure Cane Morena Sugar! It's completely revolutionary. I've been using it in everything, and all has turned out perfect (and tasting even better)! To celebrate the awesomeness, all 3 recipes I'll be sharing this week are featuring the Zulka Sugar (and they all have healthier twists to them). Fun right? So-Zulka is sold at major retailers nationwide, so you should be able to get your hands on it (trust me, you want to!) and you can also keep up with them via facebook and twitter!

Now, let's talk breakfast.
To be exact-muffins.
To be more exact-coffee cake muffins.

I threw these together a couple weeks ago, in preparation for my film shoot-I wanted to have something easy to grab in the mornings before self-reporting to Staten Island. And as we know, I'm quite fond of breakfasts that incorporate cinnamon/sugar. One of my handy dandy (but far too often forgotten) cookbooks provided me with this recipe, and then I just tweaked it a smidge to make them a bit healthier for mornings (whole wheat flour and-of course-the use of Zulka morena sugar. They were pretty low cal to begin with, however.)

These are absolutely the perfect mix of muffin and coffee cake-they have a wonderful crumb, and just the right amount of streusel. And they served me well for those crazy pre-shoot mornings. I'm sure they'd be equally (or even more) wonderful on a lazy morning with a mug of coffee/tea and a newspaper...or whatever people do in the mornings. Yeah.

Quick Cinnamon Rolls

So, I know I just posted cinnamon roll muffins.

I realize you're probably thinking this is just a tad too similar, am I right?

Well OK, yes, these are cinnamon rolls made in muffin cups. And yes, they are a quicker, easier way to get your cinnamon roll fix in the morning. HOWEVER-these are much more like a real, classic cinnamon roll. They just don't rise or involve yeast. So, ya know, you can get these babies in your belly ASAP!

Snowflake Collection Pleated Baking Cups

I actually preferred these to the muffins (Michael however liked the muffins better). I enjoy how they're really no different than a normal cinnamon roll, they're just more dense, obviously. But I don't mind that! The glaze is phenomenal as well. You will absolutely love all the cinnamon-sugar goodness without all the waiting.

Oh and I even used partial whole wheat flour when making these, and they turned out great. So that's an option. :)

Easy Cinnamon Roll Muffins

Sorry about being all like...

not here on Monday.

I was so busy I completely forgot to get a post ready for you guys! 

I hope you can forgive me.

Maybe these muffins will help?

Who doesn't love cinnamon rolls for breakfast!?

But also...who has the time to make them in the morning? Pretty much no one.

Now, these muffins don't taste exactly like a cinnamon roll. It's more like they're the muffin version of those flavors. They're fluffy and full of that wonderful cinnamon sugar flavor, and drizzled with a simple and scrumptious glaze. These are wonderful warm and gooey. They're also fab. at room temp., if you're a weirdo like me who doesn't usually dig warm cinnamon rolls (I don't know why...I like em, but I like em better when they're a little cooler *shrug*). Anyway, I really hope you make these and like em and forgive me for being such a bad mean food blogger and neglecting you on Monday, ok? Ok!

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Muffins

We're gonna have a little fun this week.

You see, next week is my birthday.

Christmas time is quickly approaching.

Also, I have a lot of cookie recipes that I've made and need to share.

So, let us declare this week:

COOKIE WEEK!

Yayyy cookies!

To start us off, a cookie-like breakfast recipe.

Technically they're muffins, but trust me...they're almost cookies. Like...eating cookies for breakfast prob. would be just as acceptable as these muffins, but since they're muffins they're breakfast food and you don't feel as guilty for eating them in the morning. Ya know?

Soft and fluffy, like a muffin.

Oatmeal, chocolate chips, and all the brown sugar goodness of a cookie.

There's really nothing not to like about these.

Peanut Butter Banana Oat Muffins

A typical morning in my apartment:

Alarm clock wakes us up around 7 AM.

Michael and I trudge out of bed.

We sit down on the couch and get on the internet.

He then goes into the bathroom to shower and such.

I check my emails and facebooks, 

post a blog post if I have one for that day, 

do all the sharing, etc.

Then I pack Michael's lunch and get his breakfast ready, and mine.

I usually then eat my breakfast while watching some show on the computer.

 (Today that show is last night's True Blood). 

Michael gets out of the shower and gets ready.

 I get his breakfast on the table, then sit and talk with him while he eats.

Far too quickly 8:30 rolls around and we put his lunch in his backpack,

and he goes on his way to work.

And I miss him immediately.

But then I do dishes.

And grocery shop.

And probably cook something.

And if I'm lucky, our breakfast would have been something great like these muffins. Although Michael's not a big fan (he doesn't love banana). They're a really nice, healthier muffin full of banana, peanut butter, and oats. A winning combo, in my opinion. (Kind of like Michael and I :) )

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Muffins

Hello there! Happy Sunday. 

I have some breakfast for you...or maybe dessert?

I usually try to be healthy with my breakfasts because-you know-most important meal and all that. And to be honest, I almost never ate these muffins for breakfast. They were like a fluffy, rich, wonderful little treat. I was actually working a very long promotion when I made these, and I'd wrap them in tin foil, bring them with me, and eat them on breaks. They hit the spot :) These have such a phenomenal flavor, and a wonderful texture, I'm really surprised you haven't started making these yet. Really, what's taking you so long? Get to it!