Mostly muffins

The possibilities when it comes to muffins are endless; here are just a few great recipes.

By GOURMETKOSHERCOOKING
muffin 311 (photo credit: cookiemadness.com )
muffin 311
(photo credit: cookiemadness.com )
Pear-spice muffins
Yield: 16 muffins
2 cups flour½ cup brown sugar2 teaspoons ground ginger1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon cinnamon1/8 teaspoon nutmeg1/8 teaspoon cloves1 egg1 cup toffuti sour cream½ cup canola oil1-1/2 cups chopped pears (about 2 medium pears)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 16 standard muffin cups or line with paper liners.
In a large bowl, stir together flour, brown sugar, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, sour cream and oil. Stir into dry ingredients until just moistened. 
Fold in pears. Spoon into prepared muffin cups. Fill empty muffin cups with water so you don’t burn the pan.  Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.  Cool for five minutes before removing to wire rack.
Raspberry-almond muffins
These are a little more effort but they are worth it.  They taste almost like sufganiyot.
Yield: 12 to 14 muffins
Batter:1-3/4 cups flour½ cup sugar½ teaspoon baking powder½ teaspoon baking soda½ cup (1 stick) margarine1 egg¾ cup tofutti sour cream1 teaspoon almond extract
Topping:1/3 cup flour2 tablespoons guar2 tablespoons margarine1/3 cup sliced almonds
Filling:1 (8-ounce) package tofutti cream cheese1 egg¼ cup sugar½ teaspoon vanilla¾ cup raspberry jam or preserves, slightly warmed
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease 14 standard muffin cups or line with paper liners.
For Batter: In a large bowl, stir together flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda. Using a fork, cut in margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, sour cream and almond extract. Stir into dry ingredients until just moistened. 
For Topping: In a small bowl, stir together flour and sugar.  Using a fork, cut in margarine until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in almonds and set aside.
For Filling: Beat together tofutti cream cheese, egg, sugar and vanilla until smooth. 
Fill prepared muffin cups halfway with batter. Top with filling and then jam.  Cover with remaining batter and sprinkle with topping.
Fill empty muffin cups with water to prevent burning. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.  Cool 5 minutes before removing to wire rack.
Bran muffins
No list of muffins would be complete without these tasty treats.
Yield: 18 - 22 muffins
2-1/4 cups All-Bran cereal
½ cup raisins
1 cup flour
¾ cup whole wheat flour
½ cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
6 tablespoons margarine, melted
2 eggs
1-3/4 cup tofutti sour cream
¼ cup molasses
2 teaspoons vanilla
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Grease 18 standard muffin cups or line with paper liners.
In a large bowl, stir together cereal, raisins, flours, sugar and baking soda.  In a separate bowl, whisk together melted margarine, eggs, sour cream, molasses and vanilla until completely combined.  Stir into dry ingredients until just moistened.
Spoon into prepared muffin cups.  Fill empty muffin cups with water to prevent burning.  Bake for about 18 minutes. 
Cool for five minutes before removing to wire rack.