better to give than receive

Who doesn't love to receive a gift? Probably no one, especially if the gift is something to eat, specifically some sweets. I made a few items this week. The first one was for a mentor of mine - a belated b'day gift. I baked some apple streusel cupcakes (anything with a streusel type topping is a goodie). It came from a cook book called Cupcakes that I received from a dear friend Katie Feldman - so thx so much, it has many gems like this one. I think the response besides a big thanks was Yumm!!! so good vote of confidence to make again.

Here is the recipe:
Ingredients:

1/2 tsp baking soda
10 oz jar tart applesauce

4 tbsp butter or margarine, softened

3/8 cup raw brown sugar

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1 1/4 c. flour

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground nutnug

Topping - 1/3 c flour

1/4 c raw brown sugar

1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg

2 1/2 tbsp butter

Preheat oven to 350. Place 14 paper baking cups into muffin pan

Make topping first - Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a bowl or food processor. Cut the butter into small pieces, then either rub in by hand or blend in processor (my preferred way) until the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. Set aside while you make the cakes.

Cupcakes - add baking soda to jar of applesauce and stir until dissolved. Put butter and sugar in a bowl and beat together until light & fluffy. Gradually beat in egg. Sift in flour, cinnamon and nutmeg using a metal spoon, fold into the mixture, alternating with the applesauce.

Spoon the batter into the paper cups. Sprinkle the topping over each cupcake tocover the tops and press down gently.

Bake for 20 min or until well risen and golden brown. Leave the cakes for 2-3 min before serving warm or let cool and store for use later.

The 2nd treat to give someone (although once you try it you may need to double the batch and keep for yourself) is called 'Muddy Buddies' or perhaps 'chocolate peanut butter devilish creation'....

I use rice chex cereal, 9 cups and set aside in a big bowl. In a bowl I combine 1 c. chocolate chips (I mix 1/2 dark cocoa & semi sweet), 1/2 c. peanut butter and 2 tbsp butterand microwave for 1 min or until melted together. Pour this mixture over cereal, stirring to cover all. Then pour all of it into a big ziploc bag and add 1 c. powdered sugar, close bag and shake up to get all covered. Pour into a bowl for serving...eatting immediately or store for treat time another day :) In any case ENJOY!!!