Thursday, October 11, 2012

Creamy Corn Muffins



It's really fall. I've tried pretending it isn't, ignored it as long as I could.  With the leaves falling all around me, I've pretty much given up hope that summer will return.  Don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful time of year, with the bright colors on the trees lighting up the yard.  I just wish it would last just a little longer before the trees are bare for what seems an eternity.


This is the weather when my thoughts turn squirrel-like and I feel compelled to store fat and eat warm, cozy meals like chili, soup, slow-roasted meats and roasted cruciferous veggies to make it through the cold ahead. So, that's exactly what I did this past weekend.  I made a big pot of chili and these amazing corn muffins that I saw on a recent post by Steve Dunn at Oui Chef.  They were so moist and delicious, I was struggling not to eat them all before dinner. 


These do have some ingredients that aren't good on a daily basis, but we'll keep them for special occasions, like when we're really missing summer. Then, we'll grab a rake and burn off those calories.




Creamy Corn Muffins 

Adapted from Oui Chef who adapted it from Piece of Cake cookbook

Yields 12 (My batch made a few more so I needed 2 muffin tins)

Note:  Mr. Dunn has reduced the amount of cream and sugar from the original recipe. I'd like to try them with fat free half and half next time I make them. 

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cornmeal (I only had Bob's Red Mill Coarse grind at home so I pulverized it in my coffee/spice grinder to a finer texture)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 3/4 cup heavy cream
1 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2 large eggs
1 heaping cup cooked corn kernels, pureed (thawed, if frozen)

Preheat oven to 350℉.  pray a 12 muffin pan with no stick spray.  I like Baker's Joy.

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

Place the whole fresh or thawed, frozen corn kernels (I did not precook the corn) in a food processor and puree until nice and smooth, about 1 minute, using some of the cream to help process.

Whisk the cream and eggs together.  Gently fold in the egg mixture and melted butter into the dry ingredients and mix just until there are no lumps left in the batter. Mix in the corn puree and spoon into muffin cups to about 2/3 full.

Bake about 20-25 minutes or until the muffins are puffed and light gold - a tester placed into the center of a muffin should come out clean.

Let the muffins cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then remove to a rack to cool completely.  Gently reheat in a low oven for about 5 minutes if not using immediately. 

Store left-over muffins in a plastic bag in the frig and reheat in the oven before serving. 

50 comments:

  1. Oh I do love a good corn muffin and these just sound fabulous and very special. Definitely only for times when raking acres of leaves.

    I feel the same way that you're feeling about the season. If autumn lasted longer in its glory stage, late autumn and winter without end might be easier to take. Oh well. Neither of us can glue the leaves back to the trees. =D

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  2. Autumn is my favourite time of year despite the fact that it means the onset of cold, cold winters. Corn muffins seem like a perfect way to celebrate.

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  3. Sure sounds good! I love corn muffins/bread and haven't made any in quite a while! Enjoy the pretty colors of fall:@)

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  4. Your post today is magazine worthy--both the recipe and the photos! I love this time of year and the comforting foods it requires. And, just when I'm missing summer's corn, you share a recipe that will honor it's memory!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  5. Love the heavy cream addition... they must be very very moist and delish. I love corn bread with chili.... your pictures are so gorgeous!!

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  6. I'd love one of those, warm from the oven, melting with butter. Like now :) I love this time of year. Your pictures capture it beautifully, Susan.

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  7. Your yard looks like mine..what a job ahead of us..It is so unbelievably beautiful though..Unimaginably gorgeous..it's the naked look that comes after as you say..:( Too long dear Susan..
    They sound scrumptious..I love chili too.

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  8. Chili and Corn bread or muffins are just such a perfect Fall meal. Perfect to go along with your beautiful photos. Wonderful colors.

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  9. Is a lovely recipe and look beautiful love the pictures have something like Christmas LOL love it!

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  10. All I've been craving lately is chili and corn muffins...can't wait to try these!

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  11. I need one of those with my coffee about now. I am not a big fan of sweet cornbread, but those sound good with the corn in them. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Your colors of Fall mosaic is very pretty.
    Enjoy your day.

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  12. I love a good cornbread recipe, and muffins sounds good too!
    I can imagine how moist they are with the addition of heavy cream! Looks really good!
    Wish you and your family a lovely fall season!

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  13. Your lunch looks delicious, Susan!

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  14. Oh there is nothing better with a bowl of chili, butter beans and onion or blackened peas than cornbread. Can you tell I am a little southern? I have always used my Mother's recipe, but this one sounds like I might want to give it a try. Yum!

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  15. We are on the same wavelength. I have just been thinking about cornbread and chili, too. Those muffins look wonderful, Susan. I haven't ever thought to use cream in cornbread muffins. What a great idea!

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  16. These have to be really delicious and hold together well because of the cream. I've hardly met a corn muffin I didn't like, but these must be heavenly!

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  17. Oh my Susan, these muffins must melt right in your mouth. Have to try these, when I make my first pot of soup. Yummy for Thanksgiving, too. xo

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  18. Be still my southern heart. I grew up with corn muffins and they spell comfort to me. They would go great with chili as well as my black bean pumpkin soup.
    Sam

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  19. Oh yes, it IS fall- and cornbread and chili is as much of a sign of it as the falling leaves. :) These muffins look wonderful- I love the corn in them!

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  20. Gorgeous creamy corn muffins, Susan. Heavenly with a pot of chilli.

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  21. These are beautiful photos! Definitely get me in the autumn spirit :)

    Sues

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  22. I am a big fan of corn muffins and yours look wonderful! I have made them with corn kernels but not pureed. Corn muffins and chili on a brisk, autumn day is just about as perfect as it gets!

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  23. Beautiful images Susan..and those delicious corn muffins.Yes, it is autumn and this year a beautiful one here with us, as I see there with you too!
    Ronelle

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  24. lovely photos Susan !Your muffins look wonderful, have a good day, warm hugs...

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  25. Oh Susan, the corn muffins look great...and I like the idea of creamy :)
    Awesome pictures as well. Hope you are having a fantastic week!

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  26. Susan here is exactly the opposite. The temperatures are in the 30's C and it is still summer, very unusual even for Greece! Even so these corn muffins are perfect especially for a Sunday morning good and strong breakfast!

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  27. Nothing simpler and more delicious. With butter, I am in heaven!

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  28. This looks like a really rich corn muffin! I'm afraid I'm on the other side of camp, I adore fall and wish it could dominate the year. I'm looking forward to heavier meals over the next few months.

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  29. I love fall and I've been craving it for months, but as soon as winter strikes, I'll be moaning for summer again :) These muffins look amazing and so creamy! I bet the texture is fantastic. I'm featuring this post in today's Food Fetish Friday (with a link-back and attribution as always). Thanks for continuing to inspire me with your creations...

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  30. These muffins do sound delicious, especially with the cream and corn. I think they would be perfect with Thanksgiving dinner. It is o.k. to indulge a little, especially with the cold weather coming. Blessings dear. Catherine xoxo

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  31. Susan~ Your photos are gorgeous and make me want to run through the leaves, pull on a hoodie, grab a couple of muffins and sit by the fire! I think that's why I love fall so much~ my thoughts turn squirrel-like :)) Our leaves are just starting to turn, it's usually November before they fall.

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  32. Creamy is right my friend, I feel like running outside with some muffins and a picnic basket :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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  33. these look great and I am like you I miss the leaves hope your vacation was fab

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  34. They look and sound wonderful, Susan, and the picture is fabulous! I love corn muffins, but not raking. I'll sub a muffin for a glass of wine anyday, lol!

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  35. I'll take a muffin please :-) I don't like when the trees are bare in the fall :-(

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  36. I would love to find a good corn muffin recipe, mine always come out dry and crumbly! I like to look at the fall colors and do miss that a little, but I do prefer our fall weather here in Florida where we can enjoy sitting out on the lanai and the beaches.

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  37. I adore corn muffins, corn anything really! Street vendors are selling corn everywhere, stacked to the top and now I have a plan on what I would do with them! You are lucky to be experiencing Fall in all its glory, here it is still warm, haven't seen chill yet!

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  38. Corn muffins are my favorite....A must make soon.

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  39. Lovely post- just yesterday I picked up a bag of corn meal and was thinking about making corn muffins with a pot of chili, great minds think alike !? This corn muffin recipe sounds so rich and delicious, no wonder you couldn't stop eating them- I agree -just rake a few more leaves and all is good;-)

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  40. Your yard looks wonderful! I am not looking forward to raking though! But a small price to pay for the season :)
    Your cornbread sounds delicious. I will add to my cornbread trial list because we eat LOTS of chili during winter and fall :)

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  41. Your muffins and photos are beautiful. I love corn muffins and these sound delicious!

    Like you I love this time of year when the leaves change color and everything looks bright and beautiful. Right now our patio is covered with leaves and I'm finding that our dogs just love to lay on them, almost like a blanket covering the earth.

    By tonight our temps are to plummet as rain kicks in and soon the trees will be bare and it will feel and look like winter. I too would like to see the red, orange, and yellow leaves stay a bit longer.

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  42. Those muffins look delicious with the chili! I love corn bread!

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  43. What pretty fall shots. The muffins looks delicious!

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  44. Lovely fall pictures. I love this time of year when the leaves turn. Your cornbread would be perfect with the pumpkin chili a fellow blogger posted. Delish!

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  45. The fallmosaic is wonderful. And thank you for the link you sent me! Have a nice weekend.

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  46. I love the beautiful fall setting of your dishes. Can't agree more...with this cooling weather, a warm and hearty bowl of chili along with your gorgeous creamy corm muffins would be perfect!

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  47. I can't wait to try this yummy sounding corn muffin recipe when I return home from vacation.

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  48. I was trying to figure out what to serve with the pot of 13-bean soup on the stove. This will be perfect! Lovely photo, Susan.

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