Am I the only one who thought allspice was a mixture of spices similar to curry powder or pumpkin pie spice?
According to Wikipedia, it is “the dried unripe fruit of Pimenta dioica, a mid-canopy tree native to the Greater Antilles, southern Mexico and Central America, now cultivated in many warm parts of the world. The name “allspice” was coined as early as 1621 by the English who thought it combined the flavour of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves”.
I feel better now. Looks like I wasn’t the only one.
My sister’s southern mother-in-law used to make her own applesauce. The way I remember it, there was plenty of sugar and a secret ingredient. Allspice. Much more memorable than plain cinnamon.
So I have been looking forward to making these muffins. The actual recipe itself is quite traditional. Pretty simple. Mix by hand. Doesn’t take much time. Don’t over mix. Light and spicy. Goes down easy. Way too easy.
If I make these again, I will make sure none of the topping gets close to the edge where it can melt and make lacey, raggedy edges on the muffins. I guess that’s why Dorie said to gently push the crumbly topping down into the batter.
Because of the aforementioned applesauce connection with allspice, I got the idea to serve them with apple butter. It was a perfect pairing.
If you want to give these a whirl, click over to http://www.grandmaskitchentable.typepad.com/ to get the recipe.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Great job on your muffins – and I think the apple butter pairing is perfect.
Great idea on the apple butter!! Yours look wonderful.
THESE LOOK AMAZING
These look good. I may have to make these. I have fall break – I’m done with class for the week at noon today. So…I will have time to cook!! I make homemade applesauce and I put pumpkin pie spice and almond extract in it, and don’t generally add sugar – you should try it.
Mmmm. Apple butter sounds so amazing! I over did the topping. Ooops.
oooh, muffins and apple butter, now you’re talking! I loved the allspice in these too.
I actually used pumpkin pie spice in my muffins.
My family always puts allspice in applesauce too, but I never knew it could stand alone and be so delicious! Sounds great with the apple butter.
These were delicious, but definitely NOT skinny!
Never thought of using apple butter with these muffins. Must try!
The apple butter sounds the just the right touch for these tasty muffins.
For the picture I used Picasa.
Mimi
Okay, I confess, I loved the ragged lacey edges…truly decadent and delicious! Thanks for the little history on Allspice, I enjoyed reading that. Your muffins look really great and I particularly love the idea of putting that spread on there…gorgeous. Thanks for baking with me this week.
Hmm…. and I have a jar of apple butter in my fridge – great idea! Your muffins look perfect – truly! The filling DID sink – like a rock, in my cake! It was a great crumb filling though, wasn’t it? Nicely done this week!
These would be so great with apple butter. Great pics and wonderful pairing!
They look delicious, especially with the apple butter. I thought that allspice was a blend of spices too, so this was an interesting recipe to make!
Gorgeous photos! They sound wonderful with apple butter. And no, you’re not the only one who thought allspice was a mixture, thanks for the information on it!