Merry Muffins!

I made these Chocolate Chip Muffin Mixes to give out for Christmas this year. They are really very simple and pretty good too!

Chocolate Chip Muffin Mix
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1 t ground cinnamon
1/2 t ground nutmeg
1/8 t salt
2/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chocolate chips (I found that mini chips are best for this)

Layer the flour, chocolate chips, and brown sugar in a wide mouth quart jar. Be sure to level and lightly pack each ingredient before adding the next. In a plastic sandwich bag put in the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg; close with a twist tie or I sealed mine with my FoodSaver by just putting on the edge of the sealing element.) and put this on the top. This will keep your leavening ingredients fresher for longer storage. Put on lid and ring and screw on cap finger tight.

I took a plate and traced out circles onto colorful Christmas wrapping paper and covered the jars. You can decorate anyway you would like. You can use fabric and ribbon and chose any print you'd like. You can give this gift all year long.

I made up my own recipe cards. You can write your out on a 3"x5" card and attach or make yours on the computer like I did. The card is as follows:

Chocolate Chip Muffins

1 Jar Chocolate Chip Muffin Mix
3/4 cup buttermilk (low fat is fine)
3/4 cup applesauce (unsweetened is fine)
1 egg, slightly beaten
1 1/2 T vegetable oil
1 t vanilla

Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, pour all of the Chocolate Chip Muffin Mix (be sure to add the ingredients from the sealed bag) and mix well with fork. Set aside. In a small bowl mix egg, buttermilk, applesauce, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Add this into the dry ingredients and stir until just blended. Do not overmix. Batter will have a fluffy texture. Spoon into greased (or lined) muffin tins, filling 2/3 to 3/4 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before removing. Serve warm or cool completely on a wire rack.

These muffins turned out yummy! Nice and moist and they aren't too sweet. They are pretty springy and I think would go great with coffee or tea in the morning or anytime you want a snack.

I packaged these up and gave them to my neighbors. I think they will like them. I'll pass out my finished jarred mixes this week to my co-workers and friends. A gift of food is always welcomed at Christmas or anytime of the year!