1.16.2017
Guys did you see that?! I had to type 2017!!! This is my first post of the new year and the month is already halfway over. The past few weeks began with a trip to Florida so I could run the Disney 1/2 Marathon…..which got cancelled due to bad weather. But I did meet my precious new nephew!! Now it’s just back to the grind, though I’m only now starting to feel like life is almost back to normal. And just when it’ll all fall back into place, I leave for Italy on Wednesday!! I cannot wait!!! I’ve never been, and haven’t even been to Europe since high school. I’m tagging along on the Hubs work trip and while we have a few days to escape to Rome together, I’ll get to explore Milan all by myself for a number of days. Expect social media to blow up.
There has been a serious lack of apples in the past few months on this blog. The things I wanted to bake kept getting pushed back. But I’ve finally made a few things that I can’t wait to share. Honestly it’s been nice to not post the past two weeks. I needed to feel inspired again, and I do!!! If you’re not in the mood to edit photos, nothing can make you do it. But I’ve turned over the editing leaf now that I’ve had a little time off. I’ve used apples in three different recipes and decided to style the same sweater three different ways! I can’t constantly buy new things for my wardrobe, my bank account would lose its mind. So as apples can transform, so can a bright mustard sweater!
You know what love is? Looking outside, seeing snow starting to fall and telling your husband he’s going to take pictures in it with you because it’s so pretty and he is totally cool with it. Did he have any idea what he was getting into with me? Probably not. Too bad, you said forever!
I reward him for his patience with things like these muffins on weekend mornings when we’re off together. The first time I made these muffins they were ok. Not bad but I found them a little…….bland. I wanted the cinnamon to pop! I wanted the apples to be complemented with winter spices! It was time to amp it up and see what would happen. And my crazy ideas, including using a cinnamon butter I made, paid off. I added a little streusel topping as well. These muffins are full of flavor and wonderfully soft and perfect for breakfast on a snowy morning.
I also got to show off my new muffin pan which I grabbed on sale from Anthropologie……isn’t it the cutest???
A little butter on these and you’ll want breakfast all day long. The original recipe called for yogurt, but honestly all I had was ricotta in the fridge and it worked out great!!! I add a little vanilla as well. I don’t know if making cinnamon butter for the recipe was a huge role in the improvement but I keep telling myself it was. The second time I tested these muffins they were so much closer to what I wanted them to be.
Muffins are pretty comforting, they make me think of cozying up with coffee in a sweater and looking forward to having a relaxing day. I snagged this sweater from Anthropologie in early winter. It was not on sale. And I never buy things there not on sale there….because then I’d be broke (but I’d look great!). However, I loved the color and pattern so much I splurged. Then I felt regret. And then I moved forward. Into the next sweater-filled chapter of this winter season.
I love this sweater, but truth be told, it’s short. It hits belly button level and I have the shortest torso ever created, so I can’t even imagine this on taller people. But that’s where the beauty of a white cami underneath can add a little brightness, and subtract a little midriff. Because let’s be honest, it’s winter and also not 1997.
I didn’t make the Hubs suffer too long in the snow, but when it’s just starting to fall, and it’s actually not painfully cold, there’s something magical about that moment. Before all the gross slush and the temperature dropping and all your layers cover your outfit up. I decided this would be the most casual outfit for this sweater. It’ll get a little fancy later this week.
Please excuse the odd shape of my butt, I had my keys in the back pocket and wasn’t thinking about it til we got inside. Just trust I have a nice, very normal-shaped butt.
And I got to show off my new boots!! Have I put these on the blog yet? I don’t think so…… Even thought I have worn them almost everyday for a while now. A great winter investment. Super comfy, easy to throw on with almost anything. Get ready to see these all over Italy.
Snow is magical! Just stay magical!! Don’t be gross, snow!
I’ve been keeping it pretty neutral and comfy outfit wise this winter. A lot of sweaters and jeans, a lot of navy and grey. But adding a pop of color is easy and it felt pretty nice to put it on.
Is your new year not sucking? I hope so. It’s only January so I guess verdict is still out.
Wear It:
Anthropologie Yumi Sweater (sold out, similar) / H&M black skinny jeans / H&M white camisole / Latigo Black Ankle Booties
Apple Streusel Muffins
Ingredients
For the Muffins
- 1/2 cup cinnamon butter, room temperature (see recipe in notes)
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/2 light brown sugar
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 tsp cardamom
- 1/4 tsp ginger
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 egg
- 1 cup ricotta
- 2 cups apple, peeled, cored, and small diced
For the Topping
- 4 Tbsp flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 3 Tbsp butter, melted
Instructions
For the Muffins
- Grease a muffins pan and preheat oven to 375
- In a medium bowl, mix together flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices
- In the bowl of a stand up mixer with a paddle attachment, cream cinnamon butter and sugar together, about 1-2 minutes
- Add in egg, ricotta, and vanilla, one at a time, allowing each to fully mix in before adding the next
- Scrape down the sides of the bowl, add in dry ingredients and on low speed mix in until combined
- Pour in apples and mix until just combined
- Scoop batter evenly into muffin pan
- In a small bowl, mix together topping ingredients until crumbly
- Sprinkle topping over muffins and bake for 20-30 minutes, making sure toothpick comes out of the middle of muffins clean
- Allow to cool 5 minutes in pan before transferring to wire rack, enjoy warm or room temperature
P.S.
*For cinnamon butter, allow 1/2 cup unsalted butter to soften, then pour in about 1 tbsp cinnamon and mix together, roll into wax or parchment paper in fridge until ready to use
Adapted from King Arthur Flour
