Mud Street Muffins

If you have company coming for Thanksgiving weekend, you're probably planning your meals and want to make some extra special recipes to spoil them. I have just the recipe, from Mud Street Cafe at Eureka Springs, they share their famous Mud Street Muffins with us! It's unique, just like everything on their menu... in fact they are winners of Arkansas Readers' Choice Award for their adventuresome breakfasts and delicious desserts.

Located in  what the locals call "Underground Eureka," the building was built in 1888. At that time it was street level but frequent rains would cause the property to flood so eventually the street was built up, putting their present location down a flight of stairs. It's a beautiful building with wonderful old limestone walls, large wooden beams and stained glass lighting.The centerpiece of the dining room is a turn of the century oak bar with beveled mirrors. They feature Eureka's unique local art on the walls, it's a great place to go if you are anywhere near NW Arkansas!

The muffins can be prepared with any kind of fruit you like, fresh or frozen. The crumb topping is to die for, and you can even customize with balsamic vinegar, juices, ginger or nuts if that's to your liking! Mud Street is known for it's innovative dishes and this one is definitely "gourmet!"

The Mud Street Muffin  Just click the title to print!

Preheat oven to 400° for regular oven or 350° for convection oven. Spray 12 cup regular muffin pan or 6 cup large muffin pan.

Crumb Topping

Add to food processor:

1 cup flour

1/2 cup white sugar

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon salt

Process ingredients with enough soft butter to form heavy crumbs and set aside.

Dry Ingredients

Sift together in large bowl:

2 generous cups flour

1½ teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon salt

Any spices being used

(see note below)

Wet Ingredients

Have prepared 2 cups fruit, fresh or frozen

(see note below)

In a 2 cup measuring cup add:

1 Tablespoon any kind of vinegar (balsamic is wonderful!)

2 teaspoons vanilla and any other flavorings to be used (see note below)

Fill to 1 and 1/3 cups with milk and microwave for 45 seconds. In a separate container melt 1/2 cup of butter in microwave. Beat 1 egg into liquid ingredients and add melted butter and beat in.

Directions

Add and combine fruit (and nuts to taste if using)to flour mixture, make well in center and add liquid mixture & fold in gently. DO NOT OVERMIX - this will toughen the muffins. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. If using nuts in the muffins sprinkle same on top of batter in cups. Sprinkle generously with crumb topping. Bake for 26 minutes then test for doneness. Muffins should be firm to the touch. (May take as much as 5 min. more baking time) Let muffins sit in pan on cooling rack for at least 15 minutes before attempting to remove. (longer is better) Use table knife to help lift muffins from pan.

Notes

Any kind of fruit can be used. Cut up into pieces about the size of 1/2 inch of your forefinger. Try different combinations of fruit. If using frozen fruit, do not thaw before hand. Frozen fruit like peaches, blackberries, mangos need to be cut into pieces as above. There are all kinds of fruit flavorings available. Add a teaspoon to liquid ingredients to match fruit in muffins. Use fruit juice to replace part or all of milk. If using acidic juice like orange or pineapple (with pineapple tidbits for fruit) then omit the vinegar altogether. Add orange or lemon zest to dry ingredients. If you want lemon muffins replace vinegar with 2 Tablespoons of lemon juice and add a Tablespoon of lemon flavor. Be creative with spice combinations. Use fresh ginger finely chopped. Experiment!! Have fun!!! no matter what you do, the results will be, at the very least, "interesting"; and at best sublime!