WRIC Richmond News and Weather - Streusel Nut-Topped Cherry Valentine Muffins

Streusel Nut-Topped Cherry Valentine Muffins

STREUSEL NUT-TOPPED CHERRY VALENTINE MUFFINS
about 12 large or 16 medium muffins

Streusel Topping:

• ¾ cup chopped pecans or English walnuts or cashews
• ½ cup flour
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar or the equivalent of 1/3 cup brown sugar in granulated brown sugar substitute, firmly packed
• ¼ cup butter or margarine, at room temperature

Batter:

• 1 ¾ cups sifted flour
• 2½ teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup butter or margarine, at room temperature
• ½ cup sugar or the equivalent of ½ cup sugar in granulated sugar substitute
• 1 egg or the equivalent of 1 egg in egg substitute, (i.e. Egg Beaters, or 2 egg whites)
• Milk or reduced-fat or skim milk as needed
• 1 cup coarsely chopped dried sweet or tart cherries

In a small bowl, combine nuts, ½ cup flour, and brown sugar, mixing well.  With a pastry blender, cut in ¼ cup butter or margarine, until mixture resembles small pebbles; set aside.  Sift together 1 ¾ cups flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.  In a medium bowl, cream ¼ cup butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.  Break egg or egg whites into a measuring cup and add enough milk to measure 1 cup; add to butter mixture. Add dry ingredients, stirring until just moistened.  Fold in chopped dried cherries.  Fill muffin cups (2½ to 2 3/4 inches in diameter) lined with paper valentine-decorated baking cups about two-thirds full.  Sprinkle streusel nut topping over each muffin, dividing evenly.  Bake in a preheated moderate oven (375 degrees F.) for 25 minutes or until done and lightly browned.

Variations: Omit cherries; use 1 cup whole fresh red raspberries or diced or sliced fresh strawberries or sweetened dried cranberries. 

                     May also use 1 cup thawed frozen whole blackberries or raspberries, if desired.

                      Use miniature muffin cups lined with valentine-decorated miniature paper baking cups.  Fill cups and bake as directed above for about 15 minutes or until done and lightly browned. 

                     Makes about 2½ to 3 dozen miniature muffins. 

                     May omit nuts from topping, if desired.