Okay, so I have an issue to discuss today. There are many times when I will run across a recipe for a pie or a cake that I would love to make. The issue is that I live with the following individuals:
Exhibit A: The Southern husband. Who is fully capable of having one small slice, saying all the right proper, appreciative, romantic things, and then not having any more. Just leaving the rest of the pie/cake/other large dessert there on the counter, undisturbed. I do not understand this man. I love and adore him, but I don't understand him.
Exhibit B: The teenager. Who does not like the following: Pecans. Piecrust. Walnuts. Coconut. Lemon. Peanuts (unless mashed into peanut butter than comes in a jar clearly marked "Skippy.") Dark chocolate. Strawberries. I could go on and on. I do not understand this child. I love and adore her, and I spent many long hours birthing her so I know she is mine, but I don't understand her.
Exhibit C: The dog. The dog will eat anything and everything that I put in front of her, behind her, drop on the floor or don't lock up or put on a very high counter. I completely understand the dog. It's just that dogs are not supposed to eat people food, and I try (as much as I can bear it) to follow the rules.
So here's the issue: if I go ahead and MAKE one of these nice big desserts, unless it is on a day when the teenager is having hordes of her less-picky friends over, there it sits on my counter. Calling my name. And so this is why I am so obsessed with cookies and muffins and other delicacies that at least have a little portion control going for them. So when I ran across this recipe, which gives me pecan pie in a nice managable muffin size...well, yahoo! It's all those great pecan pie ingredients...brown sugar, eggs, pecans...all in a convenient, willpower-friendly muffin form. I added on to this recipe just a little by topping them with a little whipped cream and a shake of cinnamon sugar.
Just goes to show you that once again, pretty much anything gets that much better when you put it muffin form. Happy sigh.
Pecan Pie Muffins, adapted from SOUTHERN PLATE
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup light or dark brown sugar
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 stick melted butter
- Whipped cream
- Cinnamon sugar
1. Preheat oven to 350 and line muffin pans with baking cups to fill 9 holes. Coat with cooking spray.
2. Combine the pecans, sugar and flour in a large bowl and make a well in the center of the mixture. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs until foamy. Add the butter, then pour into the dry ingredients and stir until just moistened.
3. Spoon the batter into baking cups, filling 2/3 full. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
4. Remove from pans immediately and let cool. Top with whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
I have quite the problem. I have one roommate who is capable of eating two bites of something and then declaring herself full. Another who will eat anything I put in front of her. And a roommate's boyfriend who is as thin as a really thin stick and yet who will have one piece of something and then not sit there craving it like the world will end if he doesn't eat it. Not that I know anything about cravings like that.
ReplyDeleteThings in muffin/cupcake/mini form are my friend. I love pecan pie. Need to make these.
I'll try these simply because they don't have corn syrup, which is both my favorite and least favorite part of a pecan pie. These muffins have to be a little bit healthier than pecan pie, yes?
ReplyDeleteI rarely make pies or cakes for the same reason! But muffins, cookies and brownies are easier to manage...and to share with co-workers!
ReplyDeletehaha! Love the story and the recipe (my husband is just like yours, I will never understand how he can "forget" there's dessert in the house!)
ReplyDeleteExactly says the woman whose boys bring home honey buns and think it doesn't tempt me. They speak to me. The honey buns I mean.
ReplyDeleteWOW! I don't understand the Southern husband's will power. Did he get it in pill form?! If so, tell him to share please!! ^_^ The teenager?....It's just ONE MORE thing I don't understand about them!...And the dog?!...I KNEW I loved him for some reason! He....is ME!!! ^_^ {And good for you if you can eat one of the little muffins and walk away!....Secretly I think you're taking the Southern husbands pills!! LOL}
ReplyDeleteI totally get this post. Except the picky teenager. My kids ate everything. My granddaughters, now that's a different story and it baffles me.
ReplyDeleteI am always amazed that people can resist sweets! These look great and will totally test my will power.
ReplyDeletehahah cute cute post. and these muffins sound delic! xoxo jcd
ReplyDeletehttp://cornflakedreams.blogspot.com/
I'm right there with you. I have to remind my hubs and kids often to eat things I make, and if it's not chocolate chip cookies or chocolate cake they usually don't eat a lot of it. I have to give much of the baked goods away or freeze 'em for later use, otherwise it sits on the counter singing me a continual love song. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's so funny. My husband is the same way and I don't have kids so everything goes to work with me to share.
ReplyDeleteWow, this looks awesome and so easy to make too! Thanks!!!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you know that I shared this post with the readers of my blog too! :-) Couldn't help myself!
ReplyDeletehttp://poetesswug-thewugsbackyardblogspot.blogspot.com/2011/01/this-one-is-for-you.html
I love these muffins. I could barely contain myself after reading your post, and needless to say, I had to make them immediately . Thank goodness I did, because they were delicious! Honestly, I like them better than pecan pie and so much easier to share. As always, thank you for your blog and recipes!
ReplyDeleteI love this post... mainly because I can completely commiserate with you. My husband rarely eats dessert, which means that I rarely make pies and cakes. Individual serving-sized desserts are perfect, and these muffins sound delicious!
ReplyDeleteMy teenage sister is like that too! Soooo picky! Although, she'll eat a large bowl of pho everyday. *shrug* In any case, these look amazing, and pecan pie is actually my bf's all time favorite pie! Can't wait to give these a shot. Maybe for valentine's :)
ReplyDeleteI made a gluten-free version of these, and added a rum glaze on top. YUM. Thanks for the inspiration! I posted my recipe on my blog, and linked to this post. :)
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