Betty Crocker Meets Sandra Lee.......I'm a Big Baking Cheat.

My bad habit started way back in High School......
Entering and winning a cake contest I was asked for my secret recipe......
Jiffy Mix with a little pineapple juice thrown in for good measure...
I managed to graduate without revealing my secret...
And then I met Joyce....everybody's favorite Flour Power Lady......
and I couldn't lie anymore
it involved oatmeal cookies at a blog lunch and that's all I'll say.....
Well...I can't keep my secrets all to myself anymore after making these wonderful
Muffins for breakfast today....

I love Mr. Hines and go to him for all my cake and muffin needs........
They were having a BOGO at Publix so I thought I would try these..
100% Whole Grain....healthy?..... Can they be any good..
My real secret is that although I do cheat and use box mixes I always add
a little something extra....or as they say in New Orleans
a "Lagniappe"

I made 6 huge muffins and only used about 3/4 of the crumb topping.....
And I added a cup of big fresh blueberries....
Duncan includes a little can of Maine Wild Blueberries but it just isn't enough....
I'm here to report they were wonderful...
Ofcourse slathered with butter what wouldn't be wonderful....
I have made some wonderful desserts using this half and half method and I think
Sandra has got something here....
My cookie secret....
I dump the batter whether it's from a tub or a box into my mixer...
I add nuts...or cherries....more chips or different chips...raisins I have soaked to plump up...
I then use a spoon to mound them onto the cookie sheet..
After baking dust them with powdered sugar...
package in cellophane bags with a nice ribbon and WaLa......
Homemade with half the work....
Try it sometime.....

And speaking of baking I won this wonderful "Fill in your Own Recipes"
Cookbook

From Kat at Sweet Kathleen's
Kat bakes wonderful cakes and pastries.....She has multiple food blogs including an Italian
Food blog and ofcourse her baking blog......she's right here in Marietta and I hope for us to
meet one of these days at one of our blogging get togethers.....

Kat......ofcourse.... does bake from Scratch.....

Bon Apetit!!

Comments

Jeanette said…
My daddy was a french trained pastry chef. He always said use can, box or whatever.....you just have to freshen it up. Meaning add those fresh blueberries. Add fresh chopped onions, ground beef or chopped peppers to spaghetti sauce. Works like magic. Monic from Lick the Bowl has taken the fear out of from scratch things. Check out her blog sometime.
July 10, 2010 at 7:04 PM
Rose said…
i love your way of baking. that's my style. thanks for the recipe.
July 10, 2010 at 7:25 PM
Linda @ A La Carte said…
Yum those look good and I agree a box mix and then add your own twist, voila...magic!
July 10, 2010 at 7:40 PM
Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said…
I sometimes bake from scratch, but I do like my boxes. Just a little of this or that and it tastes just like scratch. Your muffins look fabulous. I'm sure they were wonderful. Hugs, Marty
July 10, 2010 at 8:26 PM
Julie Harward said…
Baking is baking I say...and they look so good to me! Anyway we want to make up or add to make it our own is good with me! :D
July 10, 2010 at 9:09 PM
Debbie said…
I cheat too...I sometimes use Bisquick when I make muffins. Just add extra stuff...hey...whatever works.
Debbie@houseatthelake
July 10, 2010 at 10:29 PM
The Quintessential Magpie said…
Girl, those sound like some good secrets to know! Thanks!

XO,

Sheila :-)
July 10, 2010 at 11:37 PM
Kathleen Grace said…
You're right Sue, it's always the little something extra that makes the difference! I'm no snob, I'd eat those!
July 11, 2010 at 3:34 AM
Jojo said…
One of my girlfriends always does the same thing. Her philosophy has always been "why am I over here working so hard in my kitchen when the someone in the other kitchen has made it so easy for me."

The muffins (with butter) sound great!
July 11, 2010 at 5:16 AM
Kathleen said…
I do both. DH makes the muffins, big moist and delicious. He won't tell me his recipe!
I have no problem using frozen puff pastry though!
But never jar sauce, cause he makes that too!
Have a great Sunday! I am off to a Bridal Shower 90 miles away. Not my idea of a good way to spend a beautiful summer Sunday!
And I'd love a muffin, thank you!
July 11, 2010 at 5:58 AM
Cathy said…
Several of my favorite recipes start with a box mix. It can be such a time and money saver and I know they always turn out perfectly. All a mix needs is a little something-something and nobody knows.
July 11, 2010 at 7:14 AM
Salmagundi said…
I always say I was doing semi-homemade before Sandra Lee was born - I just wasn't smart or pretty enough to make big bucks doing it! I have a whole list of add-ins for cake mix, and no one ever complains. Have a great Sunday - what's for dinner? Sally
July 11, 2010 at 10:13 AM
Donna said…
Those look good, Sue. I find adding extra extras can make a big difference.

Hugs,
Donna
July 11, 2010 at 11:12 AM
Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said…
Gosh these muffins look so good Sue! King Arthur Flour sells some fantastic mixes and I very often use them!
July 11, 2010 at 3:09 PM
Mimi Sue said…
My motto is whatever works. These do sound delish. Mimi
July 11, 2010 at 9:30 PM
Chatty Crone said…
I had some of your cookies you made that way and they were the very best cookies I ever ate!

Yummy for Betty Crocker, Sandra Lee, and Sue!

sandie
July 12, 2010 at 6:05 PM
FairfieldHouse said…
Sue,

So glad you won a giveaway!

Thanks for sharing your secret recipe! I'll be sure to use it.

Your Friend,
Deborah
July 15, 2010 at 5:46 AM
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