Hot Buttered Rum Muffins

Southern Living; usually made during Christmas-New Year holiday.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Yields: 1 dozen

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup butter or 1⁄2 cup margarine, softened
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 2  large eggs
• 2  cups all-purpose flour
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄8 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1⁄8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1⁄2 cup milk
• 5  tablespoons rum, divided
• 3  tablespoons sugar

Directions

1. Beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.
2. Add 1/2 cup sugar, beating well.
3. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.
4. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients.
5. Combine milk and 3 tablespoons rum.
6. Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with milk mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
7. Beat at low speed until blended after each addition.
8. Spoon into greased muffin pans, filling 3/4 full.
9. Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until golden.
10. Remove from pans immediately; place on wire racks.
11. Combine remaining 2 tablespoons rum and 3 tablespoons sugar in a small saucepan; cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves.
12. Brush over warm muffins.