A Southern Grace: the real reason muffin wrappers were invented...

March 14, 2009

the real reason muffin wrappers were invented...

Yum

Although muffin wrappers are useful when it comes to cleaning your muffin tin, that's not their primary function. No, their major role, at least for me, is to act as an obstacle between me and said muffins. If the wrapper wasn't there, I'd tear into those suckers willy-nilly until my stomach seams popped.


Especially when said muffins are miniature AND taste like pecan pie.

You've no doubt seen these pecan pie muffins before, and I didn't make any special changes. Just know that they're addictive and delightful, and if you haven't yet experienced the wonder that is the pecan pie muffin, you really should. And heed my words, folks--use the muffin cups.


The pecans that I used for these were outstanding. They came from the Pecan Store, which boasts the "freshest, yummiest pecans on earth." I believe it. In addition to pecans (which you can get covered in anything from butterscotch--swoon--to dark chocolate to cajun spices), they offer cookie and bread mixes, honey butters, salsas, and all kinds of jams, jellies, and sauces. The Pecan Store (a division of The Green Valley Pecan Company located in Arizona) is worth a look, because based on the pecans I received, its products are of the highest quality.


Meanwhile, as a pie lover and math nerd, I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't realize today was Pi Day until this morning. It's fair to think of these as pie in muffin form, wouldn't you say? I would. Happy Pi Day!

Pecan Pie Muffins
1 cup pecans, chopped
1 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350F.
Combine the pecans, brown sugar, and flour in a large bowl. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs until foamy and stir in the cooled butter and vanilla. Add this to the dry ingredients, stirring until moistened. Pour into a lined muffin tin, or a sprayed silicone pan (if you like to live dangerously or are able to exhibit stellar self-control).
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a tester comes out clean. Remove the muffins from the pan immediately and cool on wire racks.

68 comments:

Julia from Dozen Flours said...

Oh dear.... those look soooo good! I love anything with pecans.

Elyse said...

Oh man, these must be super dangerous to have a 'cupcake liner' warning attached to them. They look totally amazing, and I'm head over heels for pecans! I can't wait to try these. Your muffins look so yummy!

Heather said...

mmmm. those sound delicious! i too appreciate the self-control that a cupcake liner allows me to have. i'll check out that pecan place!

Shirley said...

This is definitely a keeper!

The Cutting Edge of Ordinary said...

How I long for a litte muffin right now. Just a small morsel to stuff in my pie hole. Yum. I had oatmeal and fruit this morning....BORING, but tomorrow I will be making something so not good for you and totally delicious! Yeah for Sundays. Your muffins look scrumptious.

The Blonde Duck said...

There's nothing better than pecan pie in muffin form.

Julia said...

I think the wrappers are also good for separating the muffin top from the rest. For some reason, I just like the muffin tops.

My mother, also a southerner, swears by Joe William's Pecans. http://www.joecwilliams.com/ Have you heard of them?

Anonymous said...

Better than a pecan pie...these muffins look absolutely great!

Lisa said...

There is nothing like a really good pecan. It makes all the difference between "good but ordinary" and "fabulous."

I would love to have one of these pie muffins right now! They look wonderful and, yes, I think they'll pass the test for Pi Day.

Leslie said...

Happy Pi day! I didnt know how I missed that one!!!!
Have any more muffins left for me??

Sara said...

These look great! I'm going to have to check out those pecans, they sound so good.

Joie de vivre said...

I'm excited for a source of really good pecans! Thanks for the info!

Shari@Whisk: a food blog said...

These sound so good!

Sharon said...

Happy Pi Day! You know me, Miss no self control so looks like i'll need muffin liners!

Anonymous said...

OMG, those look amazing! And I'm pretty sure that anything with "pie" in the name counts for Pi Day! :)

Lori said...

I must tell my husband about Pi Day! He LOVES math. I wont tell them about these wonderful cupcakes because then I would have to make them. And of course I would then eat them like popcorn!

Anonymous said...

Happy PI Day! And how funny have those same cupcake wrappers too :) I don't need any convincing that these are freakishly moreish :P

Melanie said...

The recipe looks ultra simple and the muffins look delicious. I, for one, would opt for the muffin liners since I've never claimed to have self-control and I better not start now.

MaryBeth said...

What an easy recipe...I love it. I hate those pesky little wrappers they hinder me from enjoying every ounce of the muffin.

Paula said...

I would love 3.14 servings of these muffins! I mean they are Pecan Pie Muffins! I've not heard of that pecan supplier before, and, in my opinion, any place that sells butterscotch pecans is a mighty fine place, indeed. YUM!

Anonymous said...

Oh no, this now makes it possible to have pecan pie pretty much every day. Fantastic! Happy 3.14159265358979323846.

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

You had me at Pi
:-)

Half Baked said...

Happy Pi day:) Those muffins look fabulous!

Marilyn said...

These look delicous and I want to make them..Did you use plain flour or self raising floru? hmmmm..I am sure you guys have different terms for your flour... but maybe you can guess what I mean :) lol. Hugs Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Yum - pecan pie muffins! What a great idea, they look fantastic.

KJ said...

Whereas I see muffin cups as the hard evidence of how many I have consumed. No matter how deeply I bury them in the bin, they always seem to get spotted. So I avoid using them altogether.

I have to admit, I am not a fan of pecans. But you've kind of convinced me I may be missing out on something.

Penny said...

They look yummy. Pi day indeed. Maybe that's why I made mini quiches. Do quiches count?

Robin said...

Ack I left a comment but it did not go through. Pecan pie is the best! Just don't eat the wrapper! Great lookin muffin Grace.

Anonymous said...

I like mini food ;)

Culinary Wannabe said...

Oh boy. I bet I could eat the whole pan of these!

Anonymous said...

I think they count for Pi day...and they are so cute!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

If I hadn't just made scones I would run to the kitchen and break out the bowls:D

Lyndas recipe box said...

I have not had pecan pie muffins before, but suddenly I'm craving them! They look so yummy! Love pecans in anything!

Nic said...

I remember having the best pecans ever when I lived in Az! I am glad to see you putting these to good use, the muffins have got to be fabulous!!

giz said...

There is no self control when pecan pie muffins are in the house. Even frozen, they're delicious so forget about escaping temptation just because they're in the freezer. I have this love/hate relationship going with muffin cups - there's just no "grace"-ful way of eating them.

Pamela said...

Grace, these look AMAZING! I definitely will be taking a look at the Pecan store, too.

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Oooooo, those look goooood. Grace the muffin wrapper does not stop me, slows me down but doesn't stop me. :-) I need to find something that does.
~ingrid

Kendra said...

Book marked this...my husband has a love affair with my pecan pies, I know he would think these were heaven :)

Anonymous said...

Um, aren't the wrappers just for holding while while you nibble the really good stuff off the top? ;-)

Chef Fresco said...

Mmm look delish! I agree about the wrappers :)

Peter M said...

Grace, I'd be tempted to try and eat the paper...why not, what's the worse thing to happen?

Sophie said...

This post has me missing Texas :), I am a fan of muffin cups, but agree that they get in the way ;). Pecan pie muffins are the way to go!

Pam said...

I just picked up a bunch of pecans - I guess I know what I'll be making.

Emily said...

Pecan pie muffins?! What a fantastic, delicious idea.

Happy pi day to ya.

Julie B said...

Hello there, I am wondering how one joins The Cake Slice?
julberg6@aol.com Thank you!

Donna-FFW said...

Grace- These look to die for!! I so have to get to these. Id like one right NOW with my coffee. Oh please, just one??

Maria said...

Great muffin recipe!! I need to get me some pecans!

Dewi said...

Ah, ha! Is that why?

Sounds really delicious.
Cheers,
elra

♥Rosie♥ said...

*Giggle* oh Grace this is why the wappers :0D

Great muffin recipe too!

Albany Jane said...

I am so getting down with the amount of flour in the recipe. I don't have pecans, but I do have walnuts. I'm going to give this puppy a whirl this week. They look delicious!

Joie de vivre said...

Just saying hi! Thanks for your comment!

La Bella Cooks said...

Anything with pecans is pretty much a winning recipe. These sound delicious!

Marjie said...

My favorite muffins are always the mini muffins, because I can eat more than one without feeling too guilty!

OhioMom said...

I love these muffins, and will blame you when I eat too many :)

On a side note, I confess to eating peanut butter toast for breakfast (more often than not) ... imagine my delight with the Barney Butter you sent my way ... this would make absolutely fantastic cookies!

Big Hugs Grace ... and a big big thank you for introducing me to this (new to me) product.

Marilyn said...

Hi Grace..thank you for your sweet comment on my blog. I have been so touched by the kindness of the people in 'blogland'.
Marilyn

vanillasugarblog said...

oh I'm so with you! I love pecans: any way, any spiced-way. Why can't pecans be like almonds and be good for you and not so darn fattening? I think I made batch of pecan pie muffins, but I added heat to them--so good, just like these. Love the crispy top on these.

Bunny said...

Pecan Pie in muffin form, I would eat a whole pies worth!

Jessica@Foodmayhem said...

Wow, what a short ingredient list....1,2,3 and it's in my tummy.

Karen Brown Letarte said...

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, you got butter, brown sugar, and pecans. What's not to love? These look fantastic!!

Elle said...

Wow, they're so simple, too! could really use one right now. I'm always up for pecan pie--even in a muffin!

Anonymous said...

i love cute muffin wrappers; they just add so much fun to the cake! i actually just got some supercute ones today!

PG said...

I was wondering why some muffins stuck to the liners....Is it a sign that it needs to cook longer?

In any case...looks like - Grace 1, Cupcake Liner 0.

Anonymous said...

I have not seen these before, but I am so making these tonight. Pecan pie in muffin form...I am all over it!

Karen Brown Letarte said...

Grace, I made these the day you posted this and they were a HUGE hit! And so much easier than actual pumpkin pie!

Being the greedy types, we made them in a regular size muffin pan. It made 7, which is perfect for the 3 of us to nosh on for a few days. Fantastic! Thanks for sharing!
I have totally fallen in love with muffins and cupcakes lately.
:) K

Anonymous said...

As a yankee, I have to confess to you that I spent most of my life NOT liking pecan pie. However, upon dating a southern boy whose grandma happened to make the most amazing pecan pie I have ever tasted in my life, my entire perspective on pecan pie has changed.

I love it.

And, these muffins sound like the best idea I've heard all week. Nice, Grace!

Anonymous said...

To me the whole point of the wrapper used to be chewing it to get all the good stuff out when the muffin was gone. I know. Gross. I've reformed my sad ways. But oh that wrapper is tempting.

Talita said...

Looking so yummy like this, disappear instantly!

Jeanne said...

LOL - you make me laugh. Mini pecan pie muffins - who knew such deliciousness existed?!