Hello all.

I have a lot of recipes saved that I intend to share with you. I've been so swept up in working on my YA novel and being a wife/mother that I admit you've been neglected. That happens. Sometimes things have to be put aside for a while-- but hopefully I'm making an excellent return to the blogosphere!

In order to do that successfully, I knew I had to start with a wonderful recipe-- so I hope you approve in my choice. I've been procrastibaking a lot (Procrastination- Baking). It tends to happen when I'm writing and working and all that jazz. Luckily, Michael doesn't seem to mind. He loves getting creative in the kitchen with me.

Citrus Tea Muffins


Note: This is a half-batch recipe (it makes six muffins). For a full recipe, make sure to double up!

Ingredients:

MUFFINS:
- 1/4 C butter, softened
- 1/4 C unsweetened applesauce
- 1/4 C sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 tsp lemon extract *optional*
- 3/4 C flour (I did 1/2 C unbleached all purpose and 1/4 C whole wheat)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 - 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1/2 - 1 tsp lime zest

OPTIONAL GLAZE/ TOPPING:

- 1/2 C powdered sugar
- Juice from 1/2 lemon
- Juice from 1/2 lime
- 1/2 tsp butter, softened
- 1/4 tsp vanilla

- 1 tsp shredded coconut
- 1/2 tsp lime zest
- 1/2 tsp lemon zest

Directions:

- Preheat your oven to 350 and line your muffin tin/ spray with cooking spray. *Remember this is a half recipe unless doubled*.

- Beat softened butter until fluffy. Mix in your applesauce, sugar, egg, and lemon extract.
- Gradually add your dry ingredients, including your zests.
- Use 1/4 C of mix for each muffin, approximately. Bake for 15 - 18 minutes, depending on your oven. Check with a toothpick to make sure they're cooked all the way through. Remove to baking rack to cool.


-While they're cooling, combine your powdered sugar, citrus juices, butter, and vanilla for your glaze. In a separate bowl, toss together your zests and coconut (if using).
-When the muffins are cool, drizzle the glaze over them, then sprinkle the topping on that. Let sit for a few minutes before serving so the topping stays put.



Recipe adapted from Positively Splendid.

I've always loved tea parties, as you can see. When I was little I was definitely the little girl who had her dolls and stuffed animals gathered around to join her. I do believe there is photographic evidence of my dad in this (or one very much like this) hat as part of my tea party, too. I mean... if you were invited to my tea party... you just couldn't say no. When I was seven I had a tea party birthday party for my friends and their dolls. Not joking.

Part of me really wants to have a Mad Hatter Tear Party for my 25th birthday... but we shall see. What was your favorite thing to do when you were little?

It was a rainy Saturday afternoon and all I wanted to do was curl up with a good book, a nice cup of tea, and something tasty to go along with them... but what?

Ta-DAH! Too bad I used Michael's nap-time to make these rather than do what I set out to do, but there's always another day!

These are easy, not so time consuming, and did I mention delicious? They are a little too thick to be considered a "cookie" I think, even though that's what I set out to make. I decided to call these "biscuits", because it seems that when you eat one you really want tea or coffee to go with it.

Just my opinion, of course. Here's how you make them!

Ingredients:

- 1/2 C Butter/Margarine (one stick)
- 3/4 C Sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/8 tsp baking soda
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1.5 C All Purpose, Unbleached Flour
Powdered Sugar

Directions:

- Preheat your oven to 350 and prepare your cookie sheet.
- Beat the butter until nice and fluffy. Then add the sugar and mix until well blended.


- Add the egg, vanilla, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir again.

- Add the dry ingredients in thirds. For example, add the baking powder and 1/2 C of flour, stir. Add the baking soda and 1/2 C flour, stir. Add the salt and the last 1/2 C flour, stir. You may eventually have to move on to a simple spatula or spoon rather than mixer, but use your mixer until you can't anymore.


*I think this is a lot easier than having another dirty dish, but if you wish to combine them in a smaller bowl and then add them in thirds, that will clearly work as well!*

- Sprinkle powdered sugar onto a plate (about 1/3 to 1/2 C). Take a heaping teaspoon of dough and roll it in the powdered sugar, then place it on the cookie sheet. Repeat for each biscuit!





*If you wish them to be flat, you can press them with a spoon before you put them in the oven.*

- Bake for 9 to 11 minutes. If you wish them to be flat, you can press them with a spoon before you put them into the oven.


Recipe makes from 24 to 36 cookies, depending on how big you make them.




The way they looked reminded me of Alice in Wonderland, for whatever reason. Hope you enjoy!