Blueberry Muffin Cookies

You all know how I love to combine my sweet treats--taking something you'd typically associate with one type of dessert and blend it together with another. Ice Cream Sundae Cookies. Apple Fritter Muffins. Smores Waffles. So it should comes as no surprise that I would jump at the chance to make cookies that taste like blueberry muffins, especially for my niece Abi who loves blueberry muffins and just happened to celebrate her birthday last week. These cookies taste like fluffy blueberry muffin tops, complete with struesel crumbled on top. They are deliciously soft and the blueberries burst with sweetness in every bite. Dave and I couldn't get enough of these and they were Abi approved as well. Plus, if it has muffin in the name, that means it's an acceptable breakfast item, right? Just ignore that part about a cookie if it's before noon.

Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches

I grew up in Pennsylvania and Dave and met in college there.  In our tiny college town we were lucky to have not one but two(!) Sheetz stores, the gas station equivalent to Amazon, carrying everything from gas to bait, including the MTO (made to order) food that makes Sheetz so awesome.  Frequent study sessions were interrupted by a midnight run for nachos or subs.  And even though I live over 300 miles from the nearest Sheetz (and will make travel plans around being able to stop at that particular Sheetz on the way to and from Pittsburgh), I swear by the joy that is a Schmuffin.  It's my favorite MTO and no matter what time of day, it's the one that I must get every time I go there.  While I've never had an Egg McMuffin, I just love that breakfast sandwich, especially with cheese and bacon (and all the other varied fixin's Sheetz lovingly will top it with).  Now, whenever the craving strikes, we can reach right into the freezer.  These make ahead egg sandwiches are perfect and totally customizable.  If whole wheat English muffins aren't your thing, use a the regular kind. Or a mini bagel.  Choose cheddar instead of American cheese.  Fried egg or scrambled.  Bacon or sausage.  It's like an MTO station in my very own house!  (Minus the other options.  And the touch screen.  And someone else making it for me.  But otherwise, exactly the same.)  In less than 20 minutes, I prepped a dozen sandwiches, wrapped them, labeled and into the freezer they went, ready for a quick pop in the microwave any morning, regardless of how busy we might be.

Individual Shitake Mushroom & Cheese Frittatas

While not a traditional muffin, I love little individual frittatas, or egg muffins as they are sometimes known.  Excellent for a brunch buffet or perfect for making as a batch and saving for a week's worth of healthy breakfasts, these little frittatas are delicious and different.  I usually make them simple with ham and cheese, but when my CSA handed me shitake mushrooms, this version took place, offering a substantial, almost beefy flavor that paired really well with the eggs and ricotta cheese and were a big hit at a muffin brunch I hosted for friends.

Blueberry Muffin Cookies

My niece Abi turns 7 next week (as I learned when I forgot how to do math and she pointed it out to me!), so of course I had to include some birthday baking when I sent along her gift.  And this is a child who loves a blueberry muffin.  If it's on the menu, she'll order it,no need to think twice.  So as an ode to her favorite breakfast treat, I wanted to make a cookie version--one of my favorite things to do.   And this version is amazing!  A fluffy, tender, soft texture inside with a light sweetness.  Then you bite a blueberry and it just explodes, filling your mouth with that wonderful berry flavor.  Dave was amazed at how spongy these cookies turned out, nothing at all like a cookie, but very much like a muffin.  I hope Abi enjoys them as much as we did!

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

These are deceptive little monsters.  Oh, they look so innocent with their perfect pumpkin hue and their tasty streusel-y topping, like a lovely little fiber-filled muffin with a little sweetness.  Then you bite it and bam!--cream cheesey goodness all wrapped up inside.  These muffins are amazing.  I took them to a meeting and they went untouched for a little while.  Then someone had one.  And someone else noticed they weren't "normal" so they grabbed one.  And of course the other side of the table caught wind of the hidden treasure in these muffins and before I knew it, well, let's just say I didn't bring any leftovers home.