Love Muffin: Maple Bacon Cheddar Cornmeal.
There's about two feet of snow carpeting the ground. Icicles decorate the eaves troughs. The evergreens slouch under the new weight. The streets haven't been plowed all Winter. A single Autumn leaf clings stubbornly to the frozen ground. The temperature has plummeted to uncomfortable depths.
There's only one thing to do when the weather turns this chilly. Make Chili! The natural partner for a steaming hot bowl of Chili is, of course, Cornmeal Muffins. These aren't your average Cornmeal Muffins, folks. They're Maple Bacon Cheddar Cornmeal Muffins.
A little sweet to compliment the spice. A little hot inside to contrast the cold outside.
How else are you going to work up the nerve to shovel the driveway? Or scrape ice off the windshield? Or risk frostbite to check the mailbox? I suppose you could always just stay toasty warm inside and eat muffins for dinner. Like I did.
Maple Bacon Cheddar Cornmeal Muffins
Makes about a dozen muffins.
Source: Adapted from my family recipe.
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
8 – 10 strips of bacon, cooked and chopped
1 cup flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 cup cornmeal
2 tbsp pure maple syrup for topping
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Note: These muffins are best enjoyed buttered and paired with a delicious chili, but they're also great on their own.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and position a rack in the center. Lightly grease a muffin tin with non stick cooking spray or a light coating of oil then set it aside.
In a large bowl combine the melted butter, egg, milk and maple syrup. Lightly toss it with the shredded cheddar and chopped bacon.
In a separate bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and cornmeal. Add the dry ingredients to the first bowl and gently fold it together with a spatula. Make sure not to over mix the batter and just stop when it's moist and all the bits appear evenly incorporated.
Divide the batter between the 12 cups of the prepared muffin tin. Bake them for 15 – 20 minutes until they turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Turn them out onto a cooling rack and, while they're still warm, brush the tops with the reserved maple syrup. Enjoy!
January 20th, 2011 - 00:35
I love the photos for this post, beautiful color and composition! Everything makes me miss my childhood mid-west winters!! Keep warm!
January 20th, 2011 - 02:19
Thank you so much! I was kind of iffy about the photos, but this makes me feel better.
January 20th, 2011 - 04:58
Not only does this recipe sound fantastic, but your photos and styling are absolutely GORGEOUS!
January 20th, 2011 - 06:24
Yum. They look so petite and moist and delicious. Kind of reminds me of a maple-bacon doughnut I had once…sort of. :-p
January 20th, 2011 - 06:27
We would have killed to have some of these around last night for our stew. They look AMAZING. How can you go wrong with cheese & bacon! Gorgeous!
January 20th, 2011 - 06:45
I love corn muffins with my chili, how did you know! We’re dealing with ice right now, so this sounds like the perfect addition to my weekend soup plan. Thanks!
January 20th, 2011 - 07:23
Two feet of snow? How gorgeous! Great to hide away with some hot cocoa and a whole bunch of these!
January 20th, 2011 - 07:55
These are a delicious idea. I used to prefer savory toaster strudels to sweet pop tarts. I think if I were looking for a muffin in the morning bacon and cheddar would sound much better than something sweet.
January 20th, 2011 - 12:11
I totally agree! They’re perfect for breakfast!
January 20th, 2011 - 11:38
I wish we had snow here! I want to be bundled up in my house with snow coming down
And being able to eat one of your muffins!! These sound so good! I am loving the idea of maple syrup in them!
January 20th, 2011 - 12:12
Thanks Steph! You can have our snow!
January 20th, 2011 - 12:33
Maple bacon cheddar – perfection! This is great, perfect with some hot chili!
January 20th, 2011 - 13:16
Absolutely awesome! Must make a bowl of something steamy hot to serve these with… Or maybe an awesome late-nite snack!!! looks delicious!
January 20th, 2011 - 13:29
Happiness is realizing you have all the stuff in the pantry to make this. Really wonderful, warming recipe! Can’t wait to try it out! Loving that last photo especially…
January 20th, 2011 - 13:49
Thanks Heather! I hope you enjoy them!
January 20th, 2011 - 19:33
Muffins and chili sounds like a fantastic winter dinner
I love all your photographs, especially of all that snow!
January 20th, 2011 - 20:08
Thank you so much!
January 21st, 2011 - 09:03
I really like how you’re including non-food photography now. It really adds another layer of interest.
January 21st, 2011 - 16:40
Thanks lady! I like it too. Sort of tells the story.
January 21st, 2011 - 11:18
The combination of maple and bacon must be amazing! Can’t wait to try these!
January 21st, 2011 - 15:14
I never would have thought of that combo, but it sounds delicious! May have to make these next week with my chili! Yum!
January 22nd, 2011 - 01:48
Bacon and cheddar – mmm
adorable combination!! Your muffins look gorgeous!
January 22nd, 2011 - 04:41
hi Lindsey
those muffins look so very very good, what a wonderful flavor combination and Your images are beautiful!!
Congrats on your top 9 today!
Dennis
January 22nd, 2011 - 11:05
Thanks Dennis!
January 22nd, 2011 - 09:18
Congrats on your Top 9!
January 22nd, 2011 - 10:13
Incredible muffin. I love the mixture of ingredients you used. Heavenly bacon, maple, and cheese.
January 22nd, 2011 - 19:48
Hi Lindsey! I love, love, love these muffins! Sweet, savory and cheesy all at once!
November 25th, 2012 - 22:08
So it’s been a while since this was commented on. I forget how, but I saved this recipe probably over a year ago and just now pulled it out for Thanksgiving. I loved it and so did everyone else! Yay! We only had a small muffin pan to work with, but 15 minutes baking time was just enough.
November 26th, 2012 - 10:10
Mini muffins sound adorable! I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe.