Pine Nut Muffins Recipes

PINE NUT MUFFINS

Steps:

• Position the oven rack in the center position and preheat the oven to 400°F Prepare the muffin pans by spraying the cups and their rims with nonstick spray, or by placing the paper cups inside. If using silicon muffin pans, spray as directed and place on a cookie sheet.
• Place the pine nuts on a baking sheet and bake for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly brown and fragrant. Transfer the nuts to a large plate and cool for 10 minutes. Leave the oven on and at the same temperature.
• Pour 1/3 cup of the toasted nuts into a food processor, a mini food processor, or a blender; pulse 5 or 6 times until the nuts are finely ground. *Be careful not to grind them to a paste.* Transfer the ground nuts to a medium bowl. Stir in the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and the remaining pine nuts until well combined.
• Whisk the eggs and ricotta in a large bowl, then whisk in the milk, oil and vanilla until smooth. Use a wooden spoon to stir in the prepared flour mixture until moistened. Make sure the pine nuts are evenly distributed in the batter, but do not over mix.
• Fill the prepared tins three-quarters full. Save the leftover batter for a second baking. Bake for 22 minutes, or until the muffins are pale brown with rounded, cracked tops. A toothpick inserted into one of the muffins should come out with a few moist crumbs attached.
• Set the pan on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes. Gently rock each muffin back and forth to release and remove it from the pan. Cool them for 5 minnutes more before serving. If storing or freezing the muffins, cool completely before putting into air tight containers or freezer bags. These muffins will stay fresh for up to 24 hours at room temperature or up to 1 month in the freezer.

ZUCCHINI PINE NUT MUFFINS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F and arrange rack in middle. Butter and flour a 12-well muffin pan; set aside.
• Toss zucchini and salt together in a small bowl. Place zucchini in a sieve, weight it down with a small bowl, and set it over a small mixing bowl to drain.
• Heat a medium frying pan over medium heat, add pine nuts, and toast until golden brown all over, about 5 minutes. Remove to a small bowl and reserve.
• Sift flour, baking powder, and ginger in a medium bowl to aerate and remove any lumps; set aside.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, yogurt, oil, eggs, and vanilla extract. Add dry ingredients and stir briefly until just combined.
• Squeeze zucchini mixture by the handful to release excess water, then add to the batter, add pine nuts and stir until just combined (be sure not to overmix).
• Fill each well of the muffin pan halfway with batter and bake until a toothpick inserted in a muffin comes out clean, about 20 minutes.
• Set the pan on a wire rack and let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Remove muffins from the pan and serve plain or dressed while warm with with cream cheese frosting.
• For the Frosting:.
• Combine all ingredients and beat at low speed until sugar is incorporated.
• Increase speed to medium high and beat until frosting is light and whipped, about 3 to 4 minutes.