Recipe : Surprise Muffins

This yummy muffin recipe comes from the blog "Safely Gathered In" where she often features recipes that can be made using only pantry supplies.  This one was a pleasant surprise - they are sweet, light, with a slightly crispy top on them... this would be an awesome base for a chocolate chip muffin recipe and I can totally see in my future an attempt to make them with Nutella in the middle.  :)

Now.... this particular baking day I had no white flour.  So I tried making them with whole wheat.  They were okay, but not nearly as good as when they're made with white.  Some things are just yummier with the white stuff.  Oh - and do follow the directions.  I'm a little lazy sometimes and just throw everything into the bowl, mix and dump... these do turn out better if you follow the correct mixing steps.  

Surprise Muffins

(makes 12 muffins)

2 c flour

3 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 c sugar

1/4 c shortening

1/3 c powdered milk (with 1 c water)

Jam

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.

Sift your flour, baking powder, and salt into a bowl. In a separate bowl, cream together the sugar and shortening. Also, use your powdered milk and water to create 1 cup of milk.

Stir in your sugar/shortening mixture and milk alternately into your dry ingredients. Stir until they are all combined.

Drop 1-2 tablespoons of batter into your muffin tin (or paper muffin cup). Next, drop a dollop of jam into the center of each (1/2 to 1 tsp of jam). Use the remaining batter to cover the jam in each of the muffins.

Bake at 425 degree for 20-25 minutes.