Streusel Topped Plum Muffins

The main reason I adore this baking book as much as I do is that its recipes have been contributed by home-bakers from all over North America.  All of these delightful recipes can be trusted as they are each tested in the Taste of Home test kitchen.

*The chapters of The Taste of Home Baking Book overflow with easy-to-follow recipes and instruction. The book itself makes a valuable holiday gift; it comes with a free year subscription to Taste of Home (within the U.S.)
* Clear prep and bake times, and lots of how-to and step-by-step instructions with color photos to explain tricks of the trade.
*Trimmed-down favorites, specially designed for health-conscious readers or those who have food allergies, such as gluten-free options.
*There are amazing recipes from home kitchens throughout America and Canada. Filled with troubleshooting tips for the home baker, food equivalents, ingredient substitutions
*The book has a unique plastic removable sheet that you can take out and put over the recipe to keep it from getting full of flour while you are baking.
*Over 700 down-to-earth recipes that will warm the hearts of families who know the simple pleasure of gathering around the kitchen table for fresh-from-the-oven happiness.
My darling friends at Taste of Home have generously provided me with a copy of this gorgeous book to give away to one lucky reader…and a bonus is it also comes along with a year subscription to their Taste of Home magazine!! 

Here are the details on how YOU can have a chance to win this incredible book! Here's how to enter:
1. Leave a comment on this blog post telling me what your favorite homemade treat is to bake!
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That is 8 different ways to win! GOOD LUCK! The lucky winner will be chosen on Sunday, October 30th using random.org.


Patiently waiting, I listened to Luca pleading for his turn with the topping.

Patience lasted for approximately 1 minute and 13 seconds. Then it was Luca's turn to take charge of the yummy streusel topping.

Sprinkled and patted down nicely; Luca's streusel toppings were the messiest which was just fine by me. Gabriella wasn't too happy with his work and scooted him out of the way. He left with a nice handful of streusel topping to test and he exclaimed, "This is macing (amazing)!"

Streusel Topped Plum Muffins
yield: 15 muffins

 Ingredients

½ cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup heavy whipping cream
1-½ cups chopped fresh plums


TOPPING:
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon cold butter
⅓ cup chopped walnuts
1 tablespoon coarse sugar

Directions

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extracts.
Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with cream. Fold in plums.

Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups three-fourths full.

For topping, in a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, flour and cinnamon; cut in butter until crumbly. Stir in walnuts.

Sprinkle over batter; sprinkle with coarse sugar.

Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve warm. 

Thanks for stopping by to say HELLO! Hope you are having a fabulous beginning of your week.