Raspberry & Strawberry Cheesecake Muffins

In keeping with the spirit of Valentine's Day, I've decided that you really need to try these amazing Raspberry Cheesecake Muffins! If you love raspberry or strawberry cheesecake, then you're going to love these muffins. They are so decadent and delicious, they will make your mouth sing! Make a batch and surprise your loved ones on Valentine's Day. Take a basket full of muffins to work and you might even get a raise! Send some to school with the kids ~ they're so good they'll think they're eating cupcakes! Make them for a special occasion or just because. Either way, they'll become one of your favorites too!
If by some weird chance you don't like raspberry, you can substitute strawberry, blueberry, cherry, peach or any other seedless jam that suits your fancy.
Raspberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake is another recipe you might want to try for a Valentine's Brunch.

Raspberry Cheesecake Muffin Recipe

• 5 1/2 cups unbleached white flour, sifted
• 2 Tbsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2/3 cups melted butter
• 1 tsp lemon peel, grated
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup seedless raspberry or strawberry jam
• 1/4 cup sugar

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease 24 regular size muffin pans with vegetable spray or use paper muffin cups.
3. In a large mixing bowl, blend flour, baking powder and salt together. Set aside.
4. In another large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, brown sugar, melted butter, lemon peel and almond extract until mixed well and set aside.
5. Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar together in a small bowl.
6. Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients and mix only until blended. Do not over mix, it makes tough muffins.
7. Spoon about 1/3 muffin batter in pans, plop about a tablespoon of cream cheese batter on top and then a teaspoon of jam on top of that. Add enough muffin batter to fill cups 3/4 full.
8. Sprinkle a little sugar on top of muffins before baking.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350° depending on your oven. The muffins should be light golden brown and spring back when you touch them.
10. Remove from pans and cool completely before storing them in a tight fitting container.
11. Makes 20 - 28 muffins depending on how big your pans are.

Make a pot of tea, invite a friend over and enjoy!

(photos by ladyheart,morguefile and fishmonk,sxc)