Strawberry Cheesecake Muffins

Strawberry Cheesecake Muffins

Yield: 14 muffins

Soft strawberry studded muffins layered with a light cheesecake filling and topped with brown sugar streusel. A necessary indulgence any morning of the week.

prep time: 25 MINUTES

 

total time: 50 MINUTES, PLUS COOLING

Ingredients:

STREUSEL

• 1/4 cup (50g) light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (62g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, cold

MUFFINS

• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (50g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 2 large Eggland's Best eggs, room temperature preferred
• 1/2 cup (120g) yogurt¹
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 and 3/4 cups (220g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 and 1/4 cups (250g) fresh or frozen (do not thaw) chopped strawberries

CHEESECAKE FILLING

• 6 ounces (168g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 Tablespoons (36g) granulated sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 425F degrees. Spray two 12-count muffin pans with nonstick spray or line with cupcake liners (this recipe makes 14 muffins, so there will be two batches). Set aside.
2. Make the streusel: In a small bowl, toss together the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Cut in the butter in very small pieces using a pastry knife or mix with a fork until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
3. Make the muffins: In a medium bowl using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute. Add the granulated and brown sugars and beat on high until creamed, about 2 full minutes. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add the eggs, yogurt, and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed for 1 minute, then turn up to high speed until the mixture is combined and uniform in texture. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
4. In a large bowl, toss together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and slowly mix with a whisk until combined and little lumps remain. Fold in the strawberries with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula. Don't worry if the berries bleed a little - my batter was pink-ish in some spots; it looks pretty when baked.
5. Make the cheesecake filling: In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric handheld or stand mixer on medium-high speed until creamy. Add the egg yolk, vanilla extract, and sugar. Beat until combined.
6. Spoon 1 Tablespoon of strawberry muffin batter into the muffin cups. Layer with about 1 spoonful (not quite a full Tablespoon) of cheesecake filling, then another Tablespoon of muffin batter (or however much batter is needed to fill the cups all the way to the top). Yes, you will fill the muffin cups to the very top. Some cheesecake filling may poke out of the top or on the sides. Sprinkle each muffin evenly with streusel topping and gently press the streusel down into the muffin so it sticks.
7. Bake the muffins for 5 minutes at 425F degrees. Keeping the muffins in the oven, lower the temperature down to 350F and bake for an additional 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The total times these muffins take in the oven is about 23-24 minutes, give or take. Allow the muffins to cool for 10 minutes in the muffin sheet, then transfer to a wire rack to cool until ready to eat. They are very moist from the cheesecake filling.
8. Make ahead tip: Muffins stay soft, fresh, and moist covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Muffins freeze well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm to your liking.

Additional Notes:

1. Use your favorite yogurt; I prefer nonfat plain Greek yogurt but regular (not Greek) would be just fine. Try with strawberry flavored, vanilla, low fat, or full fat. Sour cream works as well.

Sour Cream Pork Chops

Sour Cream Pork Chops

Rated: Submitted By: AMI Photo By: SB Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 8 Hours 30 Minutes Ready In: 8 Hours 45 Minutes Servings: 2

"These are the most tender and succulent pork chops you've ever had. My fiance absolutely loves them! Serve over noodles or rice."

Ingredients:

2 pork chops salt and pepper to taste garlic powder to taste 2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons all -purpose flour

3/8 large onion, sliced 1/4 inch thick 5/8 cube chicken bouillon 2/3 cup boiling water 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour 3/8 (8 ounce) container sour cream

Directions:

You have scaled this recipe's ingredients to yield a new amount (2). The directions below still refer to the original recipe yield (6).

1.	Season pork chops with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and then dredge in 1/2 cup flour. In a skillet over medium heat, lightly brown chops in a small amount of oil.
2.	Place chops in slow cooker, and top with onion slices. Dissolve bouillon cubes in boiling water and pour over chops. Cover, and cook on Low 7 to 8 hours.
3.	Preheat oven to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C).
4.	After the chops have cooked, transfer chops to the oven to keep warm. Be careful, the chops are so tender they will fall apart. In a small bowl, blend 2 tablespoons flour with the sour cream; mix into meat juices. Turn slow cooker to High for 15 to 30 minutes, or until sauce is slightly thickened. Serve sauce over pork chops.

Tortellini with Tomato Cream Sauce

Tortellini with Tomato Cream Sauce

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 cups tomato pasta sauce
• ½ cup heavy cream
• Salt & pepper
• 1 (16 oz) pkg frozen tortellini
• Shaved Parmesan, optional for topping

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, bring broth, tomato pasta sauce, and cream to a simmer. Season as desired with salt and pepper.
2. Add tortellini to skillet. Cover and simmer for 12 minutes or until pasta is fully cooked. Serves 4-6.