Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Muffins

Who loves the mini doughnuts that are sold at fairs?  I do, I do!!!

Because of their crunchy cinnamon and sugar topping, these muffins remind me so much of mini doughnuts.  They were so simple and quick to make.  Plus, I had all of the ingredients on hand and didn't have to buy anything out of the ordinary in order to make them!

Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Muffins


Ingredients:
1-3/4 cups flour
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup oil or melted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
3/4 cup milk


1/2 cup melted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon


Directions:
1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.
2.  Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
3.  In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, sugar, egg, and milk.
4.  Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients and stir just until moistened.  Pour batter into muffin cups.  Bake for 22-24 minutes or until muffins are golden.
5.  Combine sugar and cinnamon for topping.  When muffins are done, immediately remove from the pans, dip in the melted butter, and roll in the cinnamon and sugar mixture.


Source:  Sweet Pea's Kitchen

Smoked Cheddar Bacon Mac

So warm.  So comforting.  So delicious.  So perfect.

Smoked Cheddar Bacon Mac

Ingredients:

2 cups orrechiette or shell pasta

1 tablespoon butter

1 tablespoon flour

1/2 cup chicken stock

1 cup heavy cream (I used whole milk instead and it worked just as well)

1-2 cups grated smoked cheddar cheese

1/4 pound applewood smoked bacon, cooked and crumbled

1/4 cup panko bread crumbs

salt and pepper to taste

a pinch of nutmeg

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain and set aside.

2.  In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk butter and flour.  Add half of cream and half of chicken stock.  Add half of cheese, stirring continuously.  Alternately add more cream, chicken stock, and cheese until desired consistency is reached.  Continue to heat and stir.  Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg.

3.  Layer pasta and half of bacon in a casserole dish.  Top with cheese sauce and sprinkle with the rest of the bacon and bread crumbs.

4.  Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

Sourece:  How Sweet It Is

Beer Dip

I like drinking beer, but I LOVE baking and cooking with beer!  I repeat, I LOVE it...in all capital letters.  First I discovered these savory beer pork chops, then I discovered this amazing beer bread, and later I stumbled upon this delicious beer and cheddar risotto.  

Oh, but it didn't stop there!  My sister found the recipe for an addicting beer dip when we were celebrating my grandpa's birthday in beer-themed fashion.  It is to die for!  I made it again for my birthday and proceeded to eat most of it myself.  

Beer Dip

Ingredients:

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup beer

1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

pretzels

Directions:

1.  In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth.  

2.  Add beer and salad dressing mix and beat until smooth.

3.  Stir in shredded cheddar.

4.  Serve with pretzels and refrigerate leftovers.

Source: Taste of Home