Maple Syrup Pancake Muffins

I have been eye-balling this recipe for some time now. I doubt that maple syrup (the real thing) will ever go on sale. I just buy mine at Sam's and keep it in the fridge because I love it so much. But this week Publix has Aunt Jemima syrup on sale, so I thought close enough. Time to break out that pancake muffin recipe! You could probably substitute the Aunt Jemima if that's what you have on hand. It won't be quite as yummy, but I'm sure it would still be great! These muffins were wonderful. I have never browned butter before, so I was a little intimidated. No need to be though. It was simple. Just keep an eye on it, and once it starts turning brown, remove it from the heat. I loved the texture, the flavor and the maple glaze. Fabulous muffin. I don't think Joy The Baker has probably ever made anything less than wonderful. Don't forget that I'm going to try her Avocado Pound Cake Monday night!



7 tablespoons butter (I used I Can't Believe Its Not Butter Sticks)
1/3 cup milk (I used 2%)
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon maple syrup (or Aunt Jemima)
1-1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cups sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt

For the Maple Glaze:
3/4 cup maple syrup (you could try Aunt Jemima)
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line muffin pan with paper or foil liners.

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Keep an eye on the butter. Melt and cook down the butter until little brown bits appear in the pan (I noticed mine around the edges). The crackling will subside and butter will begin to brown fairly quickly after that. Keep a close eye (Mine took approximately 5 minutes from the first bubbles). Remove from heat.

Whisk, milk, egg, yolk, maple syrup and vanilla until combined. Add the brown butter slowly to the egg mixture, whisking to mix. Combine well (Add it slowly so the heat from the butter doesn't scramble the eggs).

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Add the milk and butter mixture all at once and gently stir to combine.

Divide the batter among muffin cups evenly (Its supposed to make 12, but I got 11 out of it). Bake until golden and crisp and a wooden pick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 18-20 minutes.

While the muffins are baking make the maple glaze. In a small saucepan simmer maple syrup and lemon juice, stirring occasionally, until reduced to a thick syrup. This will take about 15 minutes over low heat.

Remove from heat and let it cool slightly to thicken. When the muffins are cool enough to handle, poke a few holes in the muffin top with a toothpick and dip each muffin top in the maple glaze. After dipping all twelve muffins, start with the first muffin you dipped and dip each muffin again.



Enjoy!


(adapted from Joy The Baker)