Cheesy Bacon Cheddar-Topped Muffins

Kittencalskitchen's Note:

These are great to serve for a weekend brunch with eggs! Add in about 1/3 cup finely chopped green onion also if desired.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 25 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 18

• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 tablespoon baking powder (use a semi-heaping tablespoon!)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (I like to use seasoned salt)
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne (or adjust to taste)
• 2 cups old cheddar cheese, grated
• 9 slices bacon (save the bacon dripping)
• 1 cup half-and-half or 1 cup full-fat milk
• 2 tablespoons melted butter (with 2 tablespoons bacon drippings to make 1/4 cup)
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, finely shredded for tops

Directions:

1. Set oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Prepare and generously grease 18 muffin tins.
3. In a skillet cook the bacon until crisp; remove to a plate, and save about 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings.
4. Crumble the bacon when cool enough to handle.
5. In a bowl combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt and cayenne.
6. Add in the shredded cheese and crumbled bacon (and chopped green onions if using).
7. In a small cup or bowl combine the 2 tablespoons melted butter and 2 tablespoons bacon fat.
8. In a medium bowl whisk the egg, then add in the half and half cream and the butter/bacon grease mixture; whisk to combine, then add into the dry ingredients; mix well to combine (if you find that the mixture is a little dry then add in another tablespoon melted butter).
9. Fill the muffin tins about 3/4 full.
10. Sprinkle with finely grated cheddar cheese.
11. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until muffins test done.

Reviews

[Chef Regina V. Smith]

This was an easy recipe to throw together. The corn meal gives the muffins a nice bite. I felt they could have had a bit more flavour. (This might have been my fault because I did not use the bacon drippings per Kittencal's instructions.) I will make these again because of the ease of preparation. They would be perfect for a Sunday brunch. I only got 12 muffins from the recipe.