posted by Sparkie 07-25-100 6:43 PM
Cherry Cheesecake Muffins
1/3 cup cream cheese
2 tbsp. icing sugar
1/3 cup butter, softened
2/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. grated orange rind
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup whole cherry jam *
2 tbsp. finely chopped pecans (optional)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Blend cream cheese with icing sugar, set aside. In bowl, cream together butter and brown sugar, beat in egg and orange rind.
Combine flour, baking powder and salt, add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, stirring just until blended, but not over mix.
Spoon into large greased muffin tins, filling halfway to top. Add 1 tsp. of the cream cheese mixtue and 1 tsp. of the jam to each, top with remaining batter. Sprinkle with nuts, (if desired).
Bake in 375 oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until firm to the touch. Immediately remove from tins. Makes 12 muffins.
* Vary the flavour by using different jams --blueberry, blackberry, plum. or even marmalade.