Kathy's Cinnamon Muffins

Hello Friends!

If you follow my blog, I'm sorry for my hiatus.  I've been super busy these past few months, but I'm back with some fantastic recipes to share with you.  Today's recipe is my mother-in-law's, and every time I make it multiple people ask me for the recipe.  In fact, one of my co-workers asks me to make him some every day that I see him.  I am making him some tomorrow, and hence, here is the recipe. :)

Kathy's Cinnamon Muffins

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Ingredients:

Muffins:

2/3 cup brown sugar

4 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 cup - 1 cup walnuts, chopped

1 package yellow cake mix; I always use Pillsbury

1 3.4 oz package vanilla instant pudding

3/4 cup vegetable oil

3/4 cup water

4 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

Glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons milk

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line 24 cupcake wells with liners.  In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar, the cinnamon and the walnuts.  In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, pudding, oil, water, eggs and vanilla.  Fill the cupcake wells with half of the batter (a little under half way up the well.) Add the brown sugar - cinnamon mixture to the cupcake wells until the muffin mix is covered.  Add the second half of the batter on top of the brown sugar.  If you have any left over brown sugar, you can sprinkle a little more on top.

Bake for about 19 minutes, but be sure to check them as everyone's oven is different.  Allow the muffins to cool and then make your glaze mixture.  Drizzle the glaze on top, and then you're done!

Good Bye Butter

Dear Cheese and Butter,

I have loved eating you Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, but it is time to part for a while. I enjoyed you in the green bean casserole, the potato gratin, the cakes, well, in everything, and because of that, it's time to eat healthy... at least today. So to my friends who also desire to purge their pantries of the butter laden leftovers, here are some tasty alternatives to fill your day.

First on the day's menu is Morning Glory Muffins.
These are tasty little tidbits if I must say so. I did modify this recipe just a touch. I took out the molasses (sometimes it can be bitter) and added just a smidge more brown sugar. I know that a smidge is a very technical cooking term, but run with it! I also took out the prunes (because they are disgusting!) and substituted them for dried cranberries. If you fancy the prunes, more power to you!

For lunch, enjoy Strawberry-Turkey-Brie Paninis.

I haven't actually tried this sandwich, but in theory, it sounds and looks good. Let me know what you think!

And finally for dinner, try the Lemon Veggies with Pasta.
This tasty and light dish is so colorful and quick to create that I think anyone could make it. In addition to the vegetables listed, I added 1 small red bell pepper, a small head of broccoli and one cup instead of 3/4 a cup of chicken broth. If you want a little extra protein, add strips of a chicken breast. I was happy with just the pasta though.

Here's to guilt free food... enjoy!