Caramel Muffins

Today is our Moms Birthday, Happy Birthday!  So in honor of her, I decided to post the recipe she always wants me to make.  In the recipe it calls for Basic Mix, the recipe for Basic Mix is at the bottom.  I use to have a few recipes that called for Basic Mix, this is the only recipe that has made it through the years.  The Muffin recipe only makes one, plan on doing the math if you want to make more than one at a time.

Caramel Muffins 

2 Tbsp. butter

1 Tbsp. brown sugar

2 Cherries cut in half 

2 Tbsp. chopped nuts (optional)

2 tsp. sugar

1/8 tsp. cinnamon

½ C. basic mix*

2 Tbsp. milk

Directions:

            Heat oven to 400 degrees.

1.  Melt the butter.  In a Pyrex custard dish, or muffin tin, layer in order.

                                    1 Tbsp. melted butter

                                    1 Tbsp. brown sugar

                                    2 Cherries cut in half

                                    2 tsp. chopped nuts

2.  Then mix together 2 tsp. sugar and 1/8 tsp. cinnamon and the remaining nuts, rolled fine with a rolling pin.                 

3.      Mix together ½ C. of basic mix* and 2 Tbsp. milk until the flour is moistened.  Shape dough into 3 balls.  Roll the balls in the remaining melted butter and then the cinnamon mixture. Then place in the pan on top of the layers.

4.      Bake until golden brown, approximately 20 to 25 minutes.  Turn upside down on plate.  Break into sections.  Makes 1 serving.

*Basic Mix Recipe:

         3 C. sifted flour

     1 Tbsp. Baking powder

      1 tsp. salt

     2/3 C. shortening

1. Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together to mix thoroughly.
2. Cut shortening into dry ingredients with a pastry blender until all of the shortening is coated and resembles course crumbs.
3. Makes about 3 ¾ C. to 4 C. of basic mix.  Can be stored until ready to use.