Cappuccino-Chip Muffins

One of my favorite "grown-up" muffins with so many possibilities!!!! I have experimented with the flavored instant coffees (french vanilla is AWESOME!!), and I have also made these muffins using white chocolate chips. I sometimes just whip up a batch of the spread to eat on toast or bagels. SOOOO YUMMY!!!!

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Yields: 12 muffins

Ingredients

• SPREAD

• 4  ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
• 1  tablespoon sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon instant coffee granules
• 3⁄4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄4 cup  semi-sweet chocolate chips

• MUFFINS

• 2  cups flour
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 2 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup milk
• 2  tablespoons instant coffee granules
• 1⁄2 cup butter or 1⁄2 cup margarine, melted
• 1  egg, slightly beaten
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3⁄4 cup  semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. In food processor, combine spread ingredients; process until well blended.
2. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
4. In bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinamon, and salt.
5. In another bowl, stir milk and coffee granules until coffee is dissolved.
6. Add butter, egg, and vanilla and mix well.
7. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened (batter will be lumpy).
8. Fold in chocolate chips.
9. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups 2/3 full.
10. Bake at 375 degrees for 17-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center of muffin comes out clean.
11. Cool for 5 minutex before removing muffins to wire rack.
12. Serve with spread for topping.