Muffins with vanilla cream

Vanilla Cream Muffins - A Delight for Any Occasion

Who doesn't love the warm aroma of freshly baked muffins filled with a smooth vanilla cream? These vanilla cream muffins are not just a delicious dessert but also a perfect choice for gatherings with friends, parties, or simply to indulge after a long day. The recipe is simple, and the result is amazing - fluffy muffins with a decadent cream that will delight your senses!

Total preparation time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 20 minutes
Number of servings: 24 muffins

Ingredients:

For muffins:
- 4 eggs
- 240 g sugar
- 240 g melted butter (or oil)
- 240 g flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- vanilla essence (to taste)

For vanilla cream:
- 500 ml milk
- 4 egg yolks
- 100 g sugar
- 40 g starch
- 150 g butter
- vanilla essence (to taste)
- grated orange peel
- juice of half a lemon

Step by Step: Preparing the Muffins

1. Preheat the oven: Start by preheating the oven to 180°C. It is essential that the oven temperature remains constant to achieve perfectly baked muffins.

2. Preparing the mixture: In a large bowl, crack the 4 eggs and add the sugar. Use an electric mixer to beat the eggs with the sugar until the mixture doubles in volume and becomes light in color, almost like a foam. This step will ensure a fluffy texture for your muffins.

3. Adding wet ingredients: Incorporate the melted butter (or oil) and vanilla essence into the egg and sugar mixture. Mix well to combine all ingredients.

4. Incorporating dry ingredients: In another bowl, sift the flour together with the baking powder. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet mixture, gently stirring with a spatula or wooden spoon. Do not overmix; the mixture should be homogeneous but slightly thicker, just as it should be.

5. Filling the muffin molds: Use a spoon or ladle to fill the muffin molds, leaving them about 3/4 full. This will allow the muffins to rise beautifully during baking.

6. Baking: Place the molds in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes. Check them with a toothpick; if it comes out clean, the muffins are ready!

7. Cooling: After the muffins have cooled in the pan for 5 minutes, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Preparing the Vanilla Cream

1. Heating the milk: In a saucepan, place the milk over low heat and let it warm up, but do not allow it to boil.

2. Mixing the yolks: In a separate bowl, mix the yolks with the sugar until they become a creamy mixture. Add the starch and mix well.

3. Combining with milk: Gradually pour the warm milk over the yolk mixture, stirring constantly. Then, return the mixture to the heat, stirring continuously with a whisk to prevent lumps from forming.

4. Thickening the cream: Continue stirring until the cream thickens. Once it reaches the desired consistency, remove it from the heat and add the butter, vanilla essence, orange peel, and lemon juice. These flavors will add a refined taste to your cream.

5. Cooling the cream: Cover the cream with plastic wrap, directly on its surface, to prevent a crust from forming. Let it cool to room temperature for about 1 hour.

Assembling the Muffins

1. Filling the muffins: When the muffins have cooled completely and the cream is ready, cut a small cap in the center of each muffin. Use a piping bag to fill each muffin with the vanilla cream.

2. Decorating: For an elegant finish, dust the muffins with a little vanilla sugar or use any preferred decoration, such as grated chocolate, crushed nuts, or fresh fruits.

Serving Suggestions

These vanilla cream muffins are perfect to be served alongside a cup of tea or coffee. Consider hosting a small gathering with friends where you can enjoy these delights together. You can also try enriching them with different flavors, such as a splash of coffee in the cream or adding berries to the muffin mixture.

Variations and Tips

- Flavor variations: You can experiment with different flavors for the vanilla cream by adding, for example, almond extract or even melted chocolate.
- Improving texture: If you want an even moister interior, you can add a bit of yogurt to the muffin mixture.
- Storage: These muffins keep well at room temperature for 2-3 days, but to keep them fresh longer, store them in an airtight container.

Nutritional Information

These muffins are a delightful choice, but like any dessert, it is best to consume them in moderation. Each muffin contains approximately 180 calories, and your ingredients provide a variety of nutrients, including protein from eggs and calcium from milk.

Frequently Asked Questions

- Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, you can replace white flour with whole wheat flour, but you may need to adjust the amount of liquids.

- Can the muffins be frozen?
Yes, these muffins freeze very well. Make sure to place them in an airtight container and label them with the date.

- Can I add fruits to the mixture?
Of course! Fresh or dried fruits are an excellent addition, but make sure not to add too many to avoid affecting the texture.

I hope this recipe inspires you to create these delicious muffins. I encourage you to experiment and put your personal touch on them. Happy cooking and enjoy every bite!