Apple Streusel Muffins

A somewhat decadent muffin with a streusel topping to add glamour and a sense of occasion.

3/4 cup brown rice flour
1/2 cup amaranth flour
1/2 cup potato starch flour
1/4 cup tapioca starch flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter

2 eggs
2/3 cup milk
1 medium apple, grated

2 tbsp grated lemon rind
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 tbsp sugar

Put flours and sugar in a large bowl. Rub in butter until crumbly. Reserve 1/2 cup of this mixture for topping.

Beat egg and add with milk all at once to remaining flour mixture. Beat lightly just until mixed — the batter should still be lumpy. Stir in apple and 1 tbsp of the lemon rind. Spoon into 12-tin greased muffin tins, filling each muffin cup just 2/3 full.

Topping:
Add reserved crumb mixture to remaining lemon rind, walnuts, and sugar. Sprinkle this mixture on top of the muffins. Bake at 400F for 20 minutes.

Makes 12 muffins.

Cinnamon Rolls

These are very sloppy to make. I can’t deny it. But if you endure the mess, you’ll be glad you did. [However, I've now adapted a recipe for cinnamon rolls without the despair.]

3/4 cup rice flour
3/4 cup potato starch
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins or currants (optional)

Preheat oven to 400F. Whisk dry ingredients. In separate bowl, mix eggs, oil, and milk. Combine wet and dry ingredients. Spray a 20” piece of waxed paper with nonstick spray. Spread dough to 10x14” rectangle.

Cream butter, sugar, and cinnamon. Drop 1 tsp into each each of 8 greased muffin tins. Sprinkle remainder over dough. Sprinkle raisins or currants on top, if desired.

Roll carefully, using the waxed paper. The dough will be too wet to roll. Cut into 8 equal slices, using dental floss. Use a spatula to flop the dough into prepared muffin tins. It will be a sloppy mess. Try not to despair. The cinnamon rolls will cook nicely for 15 to 18 minutes and then will be very tasty.

Pumpkin-Cream Cheese Muffins

In pumpkin season, pumpkin recipes are indispensable! We have any number of pumpkinny squash proliferating in our garden (read: taking over our entire yard and property). This is a tasty and not-too-sweet cheesecakey muffin.

3/4 cup brown rice flour
3/4 cup amaranth flour (or another 3/4 cup brown rice flour)
1/4 cup tapioca starch flour
1/4 cup soy flour
1/2 tsp xanthan gum
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp ginger
pinch nutmeg
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp allspice
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs, slightly beaten
3/4 cup cooked pumpkin
1/2 cup melted butter
1/4 cup sour cream
1 4-oz pkg cream cheese, cut in 12 cubes

In a large bowl, mix flours and starches, sugar, spices, baking powder, and salt. In a small bowl, mix eggs, pumpkin, butter, and sour cream. Add to the flour mixture and stir just until blended. Fill greased muffin cups 1/3 full. Place a cube of cream cheese in the centre of each. Add more batter to fill cups 2/3 full. Bake at 400F for approx. 15 to 20 minutes.