Mocha-Macadamia Nut Muffins

 

Ingredients

 

Makes 12 muffins

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

• 2/3 cup sugar

• 2 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 2/3 cup buttermilk

• 3 tablespoons butter, melted

• 1 egg, beaten

• 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules, dissolved in 1 tablespoon hot water

• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla

• 1/2 cup coarsely chopped macadamia nuts

• Powdered sugar (optional)

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Method:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease or paper line 12 (2 1/2-inch) muffin cups.

2. Combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl.

3. Whisk together buttermilk, butter, egg, coffee mixture and vanilla in small bowl until blended.

4. Stir into flour mixture just until moistened. Fold in macadamia nuts. Spoon evenly into prepared muffin cups.

5. Bake 13 to 17 minutes or until toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean. Cool in pan on wire rack 5 minutes.

6. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack 10 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.

Note: When making muffins, don't grease any cups that won't be filled since the fat will bum and make the pan hard to clean. Add two or three tablespoons of water to any empty cups to keep the pan from heating unevenly and warping in the oven.