White Chocolate Graham Cracker Muffins
This recipe for white chocolate graham cracker muffins packs a lot of depth and room for feelings into these simple little muffin bites.
The homey flavor of graham crackers brings a cozy depth to these simple white chocolate graham cracker muffins studded with white chocolate morsels. Just right with a mug of coffee or cocoa, in front of a warm fire, and with the ones you love.
This post first appeared on December 16, 2012, as part of the Simple Sundays series. On that day, I spent some time processing tragedy and keeping my hands busy in the kitchen. I hope this favorite from my kitchen provides you comfort as well.
Taking Time
I’m writing this on a night when it does not make sense to write. When the only words that come to mind are…
sorrow.
darkness.
innocence.
I have been thinking of the tragedy in Connecticut all day, and as the afternoon wore on, its weight began to sink further in the pit of my stomach. I opened the door to step outside and was greeted by the coldest chill, one that surged me with its strike, the clouds overhead blanketing the earth with gloom. It was as though mother nature was mourning, and I looked up in the sky to feel drops of rain begin to fall, hitting my cheek like tears.
I thought of that morning, when I stopped my children to look them in the eye. When I told them to have a good day. And I was glad I did. So many mornings, there’s the mad rush, the calls up the stairs, and yes, sometimes the yells – Time to go!!! And I thought to myself, what if that was the last thing we remembered of each other?
My heart aches for the parents who sent their little ones to school. Did they see their lunch notes? Did they have a hug goodbye?
On what is supposed to be a frivolous time of year, this sadness is unbearable. But like all terrible things, it reminds me of what is most important.
Cooking Through Sadness
I made a pot of chili tonight. It seems to be what I make when I feel this kind of sadness. And I thought of a chat I had yesterday with a friend in this food blogging world. We talked about taking breaks. Enjoying our families. Time without deadlines, self-imposed or otherwise. When you work from home, that is virtually impossible. But I think today’s events have made me realize that I should.
I have this Christmas holiday with my family, and I intend to focus on them. To make muffins just to make muffins. To sit on the couch and watch a movie with my children. I have a few more posts planned before Christmas. And then I will take a few days to really be present.
My son told me this morning, Mommy, you shouldn’t cook on weekends. I take a break after a week at school. You should have a break too.
Children, in their innocence, are wiser than adults.
So, I will take a break. But I look forward to seeing you after. I feel refreshed just thinking about it.
White Chocolate Graham Cracker Muffins
As for these White Chocolate Graham Cracker Muffins… please, take some time. Time to make them, and time to enjoy them with the ones you love.
Comfort Foods
Podcast Conversation about Pasta Grannies: Comfort Cooking
Arroz Caldo for the Soul
Chicken and Herb Spaetzle Soup
Chicken, Mushroom, & Corn Tetrazzini
Buttermilk Pumpkin Bread
Double Dark Chocolate Zucchini Bread
White Chocolate Graham Cracker Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 cup graham crackers
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg beaten lightly
- 1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1 stick 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup white chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- Prepare a muffin tin by lightly spraying with non-stick spray or coating sparingly with butter. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, stir together the graham crackers, egg, brown sugar, and melted butter.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
- Add the dry ingredients to the large bowl with the wet ingredients.
- Gently stir into the graham cracker mixture until just combined. Stir in the white chocolate chips.
- Distribute the batter evenly into the muffin tins.
- Bake for about 20 minutes (or 12 minutes for mini muffins), or until golden brown, and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Let them cool for about 3 minutes, then remove them from the muffin pan. Enjoy while warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Comments
COOKBOOK
That’s why I am here. Your original views on this topic are refreshing and interesting.
I really hope to check out the same high-grade blog posts by you later on as well.
Thank you for another wonferdul article.
it is such a heart breaking event, unimaginable. It makes me mad, sad, angry and dont even want to imagine what those parents had to go through. This reminds us to love our loved ones more, hug them tighter and appreciate what we have in life even more. Sometimes we just need time to step away from daily stuff, relax and step back. I hope you being able to step away from blogging will bring you back with lots of energy and yummy recipes for us. Take care :)
Hi, Liren. There are no words to describe the event in Newtown, CT. I cannot imagine the pain, sorrow, grief, fear of those left behind by the victims and by the whole community. And the victims themselves – so young and innocent – and with one flick of the gunman’s trigger, their lives had ended in such a violent way. No parent should live through that – it’s so unnatural and heinous. I can only pray for peace in the hearts of the families and the communities affected, as well for as for the souls of those children! For sure, I am hugging my kids more tightly today and for many days to come.
On a different note, love these muffins. Wish I had a basket of them now. They’re perfect feel-good treats for days like these…
Thank you for your words Liren,they always seem to be perfect. Thank you for reminding us of what’s important and valued in the end.
Liren, you brought tears to my eyes… a beautiful, heartfelt post! Your family is blessed to have you cooking and caring for them; I know they know how much you love them. Hugs!
What a heartfelt, lovely post and brought tears to my eyes, left a lump in my throat. You put it so beautifully, Liren….”what if it was the last hug, the last lunch note?” These things happen for a reason, we know. But that they happen now, a week before the holidays is heart wrenching for all of us. This is an awesome recipe – I just realized I have all the ingredients. Must make your muffins soon. Thanks for coming to the blog today. It felt good to see an old friend :-) Hugs & hug those little ones tight today!