Strawberry-Rhubarb Muffins With Cinnamon Sugar
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Strawberries and rhubarb make a perfect spring pairing. The combination enhances their respective flavors; strawberries taste more interesting and rhubarb far less harsh and acerbic.
Here, I’ve used them in a simple strawberry-rhubarb compote, which would go well on sugared strawberries or ice cream. It could also serve as the basis of a fool, the old-fashioned English dessert made from fruit puree and whipped cream. The same flavor combination appears in a strawberry-rhubarb brown sugar crisp and strawberry-rhubarb muffins, which make a good wake-up call in the morning.
Both strawberries and rhubarb are highly perishable; they store well for just a few days in the refrigerator. Choose red, unblemished strawberries and crisp, brightly colored stalks of rhubarb. To refrigerate, arrange strawberries on a paper towel-lined pan, but wrap rhubarb in an airtight plastic bag. Wash strawberries and rhubarb just before using.
Cinnamon sugar
Combine the sugar and cinnamon in a small dish and set aside.
Muffins
Place a rack in the center of the oven; heat the oven to 375 degrees. Line 12 muffin cups with paper or spray with cooking spray. Set aside.
Whisk together the sugar, oil, buttermilk, egg, egg whites and vanilla in a large bowl until smooth.
Place the strawberries and rhubarb in another bowl with 1/2 cup of flour. Use your hands to toss until the fruit is well-coated. Add the remaining flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and salt to the egg mixture. Use a wooden spoon to combine, then add the fruit mixture. Mix well.
Put 1/4 teaspoon of Cinnamon Sugar in each muffin cup. Spread (or shake the pan) until the bottoms of the cups are evenly coated. Spoon about 1/4 cup of batter into each cup. Drizzle 1/2 teaspoon of butter over each; sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon Sugar over each.
Bake the muffins until they’re well-browned and a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 22 to 25 minutes. Cool the muffins in the pan for 30 minutes. (These can be completely cooled and frozen up to 1 month in an airtight plastic bag.)
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