TWD: Allspice Crumb Muffins

My fellow baking friend, Kayte, chose this week's Allspice Crumb Muffins. I can tell you, I have no idea how hard it must be to pick a TWD recipe. On the one hand, they're all going to get picked eventually, but, on the other hand, no one wants to pick an unpopular recipe. Kayte did a wonderful job considering the myriad different needs and wants of this group -- you can read about her decision making process and get the recipe for the muffins here.

I always stop and look at this recipe when I page through the book, the picture of the muffin is so enticing (if you want to take a peek, Dorie blogged about these muffins this week, too, and her post has the picture shown in the book). I love a muffin for breakfast, and I was so excited that this recipe was finally chosen! I made these early one Saturday morning. I decided while I was out walking Lucy that it was early enough for me to go home and whip these up just in time to have them for breakfast with a nice cup of coffee.

Wait a sec, let me tell you a thing or two about my coffee habit. I've loved the taste of coffee (and coffee ice cream, too!) for years, but I never wanted to develop a coffee habit. I didn't want to be a person who needs something to wake up in the morning. So, coffee was always a treat for me. I'd get it on my way to Friday morning meetings, or during the holiday season when Starbucks is featuring those oh-so-lovely gingerbread lattes and mint mochas. Then I moved to Washington, D.C. and I can think of at least 8 coffee shops within a 10 minute walk from my house. There is a Starbucks literally 2 blocks away, and I was constantly bombarded by the smell of coffee. It seemed like such a shame to ignore all of the wonderful coffee options, so I gave in. Pretty soon I was headed to get coffee every morning -- I made it part of Lucy's morning walk -- and then I decided it was downright ridiculous that I'd tried to avoid such a phenomenally good thing. But, buying coffee every morning is cost prohibitive (for me at least) so I got a coffee maker. The rest is history.

What does my coffee habit have to do with the muffins? Nothing, except that I made these before I had my coffee. I was lacking that lovely bit of brain boost that I've grown to love in the morning. Or maybe I just wasn't paying attention, it's been known to happen. At any rate, I accidentally made these muffins with twice as much brown sugar, and by the time I caught myself, it was too late. So, I flip flopped the brown and white sugar measurements. I also subbed 1/2 Greek yogurt for 1/2 of the butter. You know what, though? These muffins were still really, really tasty. So, I might call these "it's ok if you mess up a little bit because they're still really tasty Allspice Crumb Muffins." Seriously, I loved these. My only other experience with allspice is in the gingersnaps that I make (which reminds me, I've been meaning to make a batch). I really loved the prominent allspice flavor in these muffins. Allspice just might be my new favorite spice, so if you know of any fantastic recipes that feature it, just give me a shout.

Thanks, Kayte, for picking such a great recipe. Do head over to Grandma's Kitchen Table and check out her blog. Kayte is an amazing blogger. First of all, she happens to be a member of several different baking/cooking groups, so there's always something new and fabulous posted on her blog. She also does a bit called Friday's Favorites, where she recounts the food she's making, the music she's listening to, and the books she's reading (my favorite part).