Strawberry Cheesecake Muffins (Christmas Cake)

 
Ingredients:

5 1/2 cups - king arthur 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 strawberry jam

1/4 cup - sugar




Method



Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease 24 regular size muffin pans with vegetable spray or use paper muffin cups.

In a large mixing bowl, blend flour, baking powder and salt together. Set aside.

In another large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, brown sugar, melted butter, lemon peel and almond extract until mixed well and set aside.

Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar together in a small bowl.

Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients and mix only until blended.

Do not over mix, it makes tough muffins.

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.

Sprinkle a little sugar on top of muffins before baking.

Bake for 20-25 minutes at 350 F depending on your oven.

The muffins should be light golden brown and spring back when you touch them.

Remove from pans and cool completely before storing them in a tight fitting container.

Enjoy your strawberry muffins with a dollop of butter or some more strawberry jam! 

From -  http://food.sify.com