September 20, 2008

no goodies for you!

That's right, another Seinfeld reference. (Ironically, this episode was on just last night.)


I've decided to cut my co-workers off for awhile as a form of passive-aggressive punishment. They simply aren't displaying enough, or frankly, any gratitude for my baking efforts.

Granted, these muffins weren't my best creation, but there was still time, money, and care involved. So in an attempt to spur some appreciation, I'm going to put a temporary kibosh on the baking.


Okay, enough of my subtle vindictiveness and on to the muffins. They are yet another example of Eb's capabilities. However, for the first time, I think he was too potent for his own good. The sourdough flavor was just a bit overwhelming for my tastes, and it definitely overpowered the apples. I couldn't even detect the cinnamon, which is clearly unacceptable.

Other than that, they were super-moist and had an excellent texture. I topped them with some granola I had hanging out in my cabinet, and that provided a welcome crunch. If I make these puppies again (for a more worthy crowd), I'll boost the sugar and cinnamon and perhaps use a streusel topping instead of that granola.


Too Sour Sourdough Applesauce Muffins
(adapted from here)

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups sweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups sourdough starter
1 3/4 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 cups granola

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line or grease muffin cups, bundt pan, or whatever type of baking vessel floats your boat. (I made 24 mini muffins, 12 regular muffins, and little 5 diamond loaves.)
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, and eggs until light and fluffy. Add applesauce, vanilla, and starter and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix thoroughly. Pour into the prepared pan(s) and sprinkle the tops with granola. Bake until the toothpick test is passed. (My mini muffins took about 20 minutes, and the regular muffins and mini diamond loaves took about 30 minutes.) Cool on a wire rack.



How do you like them apples?

52 comments:

  1. Time to get some more appreciative coworkers. Don't you hate that when they just take you for granted. Hmm sounds like my family every night! I am loving what eb can do. I have said this before- I need to make some eb as well!

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  2. Being taken for granted is not a good thing! Shame, shame on them.. Many of my goodies get transported to my DH co-workers, and praise is bountiful. One fellow wants an invite to dinner here, but has forewarned me that I should cook for 10, just for him!! I don't think so ;-)

    Your muffins look so good, I must try making them w/ a little extra cinnamon.... I'll be glad to take some off your hand ;-)

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  3. I'll appreciate you! Come down to the Pond and all the critters will be more than happy to eat your creations!

    Eb is a powerful beast. He amazes me!

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  4. For a second I thought you made these without cinnamon and was quite worried, Grace. They look yummy. Hopefully your co-workers will wise up and give you a Thank-you!

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  5. I think they look really delicious and I would be gratefull if you had baked them for me. If it makes you feel any better, I have cut my in-laws off from baked goods. They were unappreciative to the tenth degree and I figured I would just give my baked goods to people who had nice things to say. :)

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  6. I sure would be grateful for these yummy treats mmmmmmmmm!

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  7. They certainly sound like they should be great 7 I'd certainly be grateful for them. BTW I just realized you live in Amsterdam, my mom was born & raised there!

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  8. One MUST be able to taste cinnamon in a muffin!!

    Send me your goodies - I'll give you lots of appreciation and praise.

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  9. The texture of these muffins looks wonderful and the top hints at a subtle crunch that is quite appealing. I know I would totally appreciate these muffins! I would be very glad to have one right now...

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  10. I will appreciate you everydau!! These really look great and I love the idea of the granola on top for crunch!

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  11. NO SOUP FOR YOU!!!

    Those dang co-workers are STILL being ingrates? I say withhold! Make them pine for you. PINE! Whimper, beg, mourn, and pine for you. Then, bring back the goods. ;)

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  12. No appreciation? If you'd like to bake for me, I'll lavish you with praise, shower you with affection and elevate you to the level of gods. Ok. I like baked goods. Love the granola topping!

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  13. I am with you, A streusel on top wold be perfect. These still look delicious though. No appreciation? A little passive-aggressiveness can never hurt, neither would a full-out flogging ;)

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  14. LOL, passive-aggressive. I have to say I resort to a bit of that myself.

    Your muffins look yummy... and streusel topping... mmmm, that would push them over the top.

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  15. You are the queen of sweets, ... pack them babies up and ship up to Cleveland where they will receive the praise they deserve.

    Love the addition of granola on top!

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  16. I'd love your baking any day! Of course, since I bake, I know how much time it takes, even if the ingredients are free! Shame on your coworkers for not valuing your time!

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  17. Grace I think your muffins are so nice, really and look delicious!xxGloria

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  18. I bought a used armoir and in the drawer was sheets & sheets of muffin recipes.

    You're finished muffin-Nazi...no more muffins for you!!! lol

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  19. Oh I hate that. Last night I brought cupcakes to one of my teammates for his birthday. He was very excited and thanked me over and over. A guy I had already baked for asked me where was his. I told him, you didn't even say thanks the last time I made you something, so you get nothing.
    Perhaps he will be nicer, eh?

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  20. Those look wonderful to me--when it comes to apple baked goods I always increase the cinnamon anyway.

    I send baked goods into my husband's work, and I am always asking him well, what did they say, did they like them, yada yada yada. I think he thinks I am crazy, but come on! People need to show some love! Those cookies don't just bake themselves!

    (I have noticed when they see ME they tend to say a lot, so maybe for some reason it does not occur to them to say stuff to him to tell me.)

    Either way, shame on your co-workers!

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  21. Grace, the last photo is sooo good! The texture is just perfect.
    Don't waste your perfect creations on ungrateful coworkers; sell them (creations)instead!

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  22. Yes treat em mean, keep em keen! I would get peeved if faced with a similar attitude. And of course I'd take any chance to slip in a Seinfeld reference ;)

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  23. Your co-workers are crazy! These muffins are gorgeous. Gotta make thees soon!

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  24. Interesting muffin idea. I never would think to use sourdough for a muffin, which may explain the unpleasant sourness, but the texture looks outstanding.

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  25. Grace, thanks a lot for your comment...yes, u can definitely try that dish with chickens.I'm sure it'll taste good too:)

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  26. =( We appreciate your posts so keep it coming!

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  27. I love how you think and create woman! Sourdough in a muffin?

    "Genius I tell you, genius!" (another Seinfeld quote)

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  28. Wow, that is a good idea. A sourdough muffin. I think it sounds really good anyway.

    Yes! Shame on these co-workers. You're doing the right thing! I stopped bring in treats about a year ago.

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  29. You shold set up a collection bucket at work. People can contribute some $$$$ if they want you to keep baking!

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  30. Oh, those bad, bad co-workers. If you worked at my school, we would all love you and your baked goods!

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  31. Granola on top of muffins? That makes them healthy, right? I am so ready to have one of these! I don't know if I've ever had a sourdough muffin before, but I'm more than willing to be your taste tester! Come on over! YUM!

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  32. aw, shucks. Sorry about the over-sowerness, both from the coworkers and muffins ;). I actually am a huge, huge fan of sourdough; fell in love with it when I lived in northern CA. So I bet I'd be a fan of these, with sourdough, the more sour the better :D.

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  33. They look yummy anyway here on my screen! I love how you are experimenting with the sour dough. It makes me want to start one. One of these days!

    Dang those coworkers!

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  34. Oh cutting off the co-workers is a good move...make them beg for it until their heads explode...I love that.

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  35. I am SO with you on the subtle vindictiveness! It is so how I react as well.

    There is such thing as grace and tact -why does it seem to KILL people to gush?! I am such a gusher, so please act appreciative people! It DOES take love, work, effort, time, and money to make a treat to bring. Sorry you aren't getting the reaction you'd like!

    I think they DO look good, and I'd like one!

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  36. Love the Seinfeld reference. I was just thinking of that episode this week, since I made cream of mushroom soup. I kept thinking of Elaine finding the recipe in the armoire-5 cups chopped porcini mushrooms, 1 cup olive oil. It's always killed me that she didn't read the whole recipe. I want that recipe! Sorry about the indifference of your co workers but your kibosh'll teach em! The muffins look delicious, even if they tasted a wee bit too sour for you.

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  37. Honestly, I love the combo of apples, spice, and sour cream in a pie and was thinking about whether that would work for cupcakes...Since I'm a cinnamon lover, these muffins sound perfect just the way they are. As far as your colleagues are concerned, maybe if you donned an apron and grabbed a note pad, you could take orders and they'd rethink their recent behavior. But I'm miss crankypants, so...

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  38. You always make me laugh. Love the Seinfeld reference! The muffins look good! I will add in extra cinnamon!

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  39. They look great! I love this post! Too funny! LOL!

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  40. Wish you were my co-worker! YUM.

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  41. If I were your co-worker I would b enthusiastic about each and every thing you brought me!

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  42. Not grateful? That's just wrong. I love the idea of sourdough muffins and you're right there's gotta be that cinnamony-ness in an apple muffin. I made apple muffins today too-but mine are from a (gasp) mix.

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  43. Yeah, my co-workers aren't as appreciative as they used to be!

    But I do think these muffins look great!

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  44. shame on those ungrateful co-workers while us who really care are left to drool over our keyboards!

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  45. i really need to get off my duff and make some eb! and i'm sure there are a few other comments the same tone as mine but your co-workers sound like my family.

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  46. They look great though. As for your co-workers what about telling them what you've been preparing in the kitchen lately...no tasting just telling. They will ask for a sampling session I'm sure!

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  47. "Who's gonna turn down a Too Sour Sourdough Applesauce Muffin? It's sourdough, it's applesauce, it's delicious. It's very refreshing!"

    Ah, I miss Seinfeld. If I worked with you, I'd give these muffins a try AND I'd thank you for them!

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  48. Send 'em over here.
    NO, not the bloody co-workers - those fab looking muffins please.

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  49. I send my baked goods to my husbands work for that reason. I get comments back every time. If i bring them to my work it is eaten and no one says a word. His work doesn't even know me!

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  50. You never cease to amaze me with Eb's capabilities. Is there anything he can't do? Those muffins look delicious, they certainly deserve some appreciation. :)

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  51. sourdough muffins, what a great list of ingredients. I can only imagine how good these taste. I have been on a sugar craze latly, this isnt helping! haha :)

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  52. Come and work in my office. I promise I'll be very very grateful for any and all baked offerings!

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