The Glamorous Gourmet: South Florida Food and Wine

The baking continues, my friends, as does the battle of the "muffin top"! Oh the lengths I'll go to for the "Savor the Moment" Challenge. I guess it turns out you really ARE what you eat!

I was laughing today recalling Elaine's predilection for muffin tops on Seinfeld years ago. She loved them so much she parlayed her passion into a short lived business venture with her boss, Mr. Lippman, called "Top of the Muffin to You!" Because they only sold the muffin "tops," the duo ran into difficulty disposing of the muffin "stumps," and the business apparently went bust. Revisit this hilarious episode here.

Clearly Elaine never tried one of "Savor the Moment's" Strawberry Streusel Muffins (pg. 90) or she definitely would have devoured the entire thing! These strawberry-studded beauties are truly scrumptious with a crunchy streusel topping and delicious Key lime glaze. I also happen to know the Junior Leaguer responsible for submitting this recipe - the fabulous Christine Najac! Founder and Owner of the South Florida based business "Really Good Cookies" this girl definitely knows her way around a kitchen! "Really Good Cookies" specializes in handmade, high quality baked goods and confections for those discriminating palates desiring a true "taste experience!" In addition, Christine has also created the website and blog, South Florida Food & Wine, a go-to resource for "all things food, wine and events from Palm Beach to South Beach." Be sure to check out her wonderful website so you too can be "in the know!"

Making these magnificent muffins is a three part process but definitely worth the effort! Once you pull them out of the oven, warm and fragrant with their tops bubbling ever so gently I'm sure you will agree. My husband wolfed down two of them before I even had a chance to glaze them! The combination of the Key lime with the strawberries is delicious enough and the streusel topping really seals the deal. The recipe states you can also substitute blueberries or raspberries for the strawberries and lemon juice for the Key lime juice in the glaze but I really don't see that happening in my house. I hope you give this recipe a try and let me know what you think - Thanks, Christine!

XO,

Strawberry Streusel Muffins
Muffins (see baking tips following recipe)
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1/2 cup half-and-half
1 1/4 cups thinly sliced fresh strawberries
1 teaspoon grated Key lime zest or orange zest
Streusel Topping
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon grated Key lime zest or orange zest
2 tablespoons butter, melted
Key Lime Glaze
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
1 tablespoon fresh Key lime juice or orange juice
For the muffins, sift the flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon into a medium bowl. Make a well in the center. Add the egg, butter and half-and-half to the well and mix just until moistened. Stir in the strawberries and zest; do not overmix. Spoon into 12 greased muffin cups.
For the topping, combine the pecans, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon and zest in a small bowl and mix well. Pour in the butter and mix well. Sprinkle over the muffins.
Bake the muffins at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes or until firm and golden brown. Cool completely.
For the glaze, mix the confectioner's sugar and juice in a bowl. Swirl the glaze over the cooled muffins.
Makes one dozen

"Better me than you" baking tips:
- Be sure to grease those muffin cups or those muffins will stick!
- This recipe makes exactly 12 muffins
- I used chopped pecans for the recipe - delicious!