Sunday Morning Surprise Muffins

A Muffin Surprise!!!!  

Makes one dozen standard-sized muffins

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt (if using unsalted butter)

1 stick butter, softened

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 cup milk

+ your favorite jam, jelly, gel, or marmalade

1. Preheat your oven to 375F/175C. 

2. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt (if using) into a bowl.

3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar well. Add the eggs, one at a time. Then add the vanilla extract. Mix well. 

4. Stir in half of the flour mixture to the creamed butter mixture. Mix in the milk, then add the remaining flour mixture. Mix well. 

5. Scoop 2/3rds of the batter into your 12 muffin cups, so that the batter fills up the cups about half way, maybe a little more. Create small pocket in each center with a spoon. Dollop a full teaspoon or so of jam into the pockets. Top with the remaining 1/3 of batter. If crunchier, pretty muffin tops are desired, sprinkle the tops with a little more sugar. 

6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the muffins just start to turn golden, but not yet brown. Eat warm or at room temperature. Freeze any that you do not eat on the day-of. 

***If you would like to use berries or fruit instead of jam, you'll need about 1 cup of berries or diced fruit and a tablespoon or two of flour to toss them in before incorporating into your muffin batter after everything else has been properly mixed.