“ONE’S NOT ENOUGH” MUFFIN BITES

The title pretty much says it all: one bite is most definitely not enough. This is a ginger-spiced muffin with a creamy orange and bacon filling that is out of this world. Such an adorable and addictive treat!

MUFFINS

Cooking spray

½ cup firmly packed dark brown sugar

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon allspice

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup buttermilk

¼ cup molasses

1 large egg

¼ cup (½ stick) butter, melted

FILLING

6 ounces cream cheese, softened

¼ cup orange marmalade

5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. For the muffins, spray a mini muffin tin liberally with cooking spray. In a large bowl whisk together the brown sugar, flour, baking soda, ginger, allspice, and salt.

In a medium bowl whisk together the buttermilk, molasses, egg, and butter until smooth. Stir the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture until just combined. Fill the muffin cups about three-fourths full, and bake for 12 to 14 minutes. Remove the muffins from the oven. Let cool slightly in the tin, and then carefully remove them.

For the filling, mix together the cream cheese, marmalade, and crumbled bacon in a medium bowl. Once the muffins have cooled completely, split each one in half horizontally. Spoon some of the cream cheese mixture onto the muffin bottoms, and put the tops back on to make mini muffin sandwiches. Refrigerate the muffin bites until you are ready to serve them.

MAKES 8 TO 10 SERVINGS.