Well, after nearly two and a half years, this is the final recipe from The Sweet Melissa Baking Book. It’s hard to believe our group has baked through the entire book, but here we are. From the very first selection, honey beescotti, to this week’s hot pepper gingerbread muffins, it’s been so much fun trying the variety of recipes in the book and along the way, I’ve also made some great blogging buddies. We’ll be sharing one more post next week recapping some of our favorite recipes from the book. I won’t lie and say I’ve loved every thing I’ve made, but there have been many, many keepers and I’m eager to put them all together in one place for easy reference for you guys and myself 🙂
It’s sort of funny that this week’s recipe was gingerbread muffins. Though I’m not ready to say goodbye to summer yet, we are heading in that direction, and in the past few weeks I’ve heard so many other people say they’re ready for fall baking. With an assortment of warm spices and molasses in the muffins, as well as maple syrup in the butter, this recipe definitely screams fall. The muffins also called for ground white and black pepper, as well as cayenne, hence the “hot pepper” part of the title. I halved the recipe and left out the black and white pepper (I’ve tried them in other baked goods, and didn’t enjoy them). I wound up with 8 muffins which domed so nicely in the oven.
I had a muffin for breakfast today with a smear of the orange maple butter, and it was delicious – very moist and spicy, with just a tiny kick of heat from the cayenne. The butter was really fragrant from the orange zest and had a touch of sweetness from the maple syrup, it complemented the muffins perfectly! A big thank you to Karen of Karen’s Cookies Cake & More for not only hosting this week’s muffins, but also tackling the administrative duties for our group for quite some time. She shared the recipe for the muffins on her blog this week if you’d like to try them.
The muffins look great, Tracey! You always have the best liners. I’m impressed with how many Sweet Melissa recipes you’ve made. I have to admit, after missing a lot due to pre-wedding business, the group sort of fell off my radar, but I enjoyed a lot of the recipes I made and thought the group was so fun.
What a combo! These sound awesome!
My oh my these are just picture-perfect little muffins. I cannot resist ANYTHING that has the word ginger in the title, so these are getting a big fat save thats for sure. Gorgeous!
Hey there..
I just discovered your blog and spent like an hour here! It’s wonderful. Your photos are beautiful and I love the interesting flavour combinations you try. I’m looking forward to trying your honey orange chicken thighs, among other things of course!
I agree that I’m not ready to say goodbye to summer, but I am ready for some slightly cooler temps! Your muffins looks perfect.
Mmm. These muffins look so good. I agree though, if I made them, I would probably omit the “hot” part of the muffin because I don’t really like the taste.
Cayenne is such a versatile spice; I add it to everything chocolate, it just rounds it out and a touch of heat is wonderful! I will have to try this muffin, I love ginger.
Thanks so much for baking along with me. This was a very unique recipe. And as always, yours looks superb!
How impressive that you’ve made your way through the whole cookbook! This recipe looks pretty good for being the last pick. I love the idea of a little heat in the gingerbread.
If these little muffins don’t sound like an instant addiction, I don’t know what does.
I have been so crazed that I didn’t get around to baking this last recipe. But I most certainly will as they look incredible. I still remember when SMS started. Time flies when you are having a good time.
These sound intriguing! I am definitely ready for fall baking, and these are calling my name.
Beautiful muffins Tracey. And I second Margot’s comment about your cool muffin/cupcake liners. I imagine you have a cupboard full of options to choose from!
I didn’t mean to miss our last post! The weekend slipped by as Hubby and were traveling with family and somehow in my mind I thought I had longer to make this. I’m contemplating still making it this week. Since I wasn’t around to bake the first recipe in the group I should make the last!
These look like a great preview for fall baking! 🙂