Crispy, Thyme-Infused Bacon Corn Muffin Caps

Crispy, Thyme-Infused Bacon Corn Muffin Caps

Muffin Tops: The Crunchy, Soft Delight

Remember those yummy muffin tops from Seinfeld? They're crunchy, soft, and perfect for dunking in bisque. Here's a fantastic recipe to make your own muffin tops at home. But this one isn't your ordinary muffin top recipe; it's a sensational Bacon-Thyme Corn Muffin Top that will rock your palate!

What to Buy: Muffin Top Pans

You can find a muffin top pan at specialty kitchen stores, but if you can't, don't fret! A traditional 12-well muffin pan will work just fine (baking times remain the same).

This recipe was a hit as part of our Festivus menu.

• Yield: 12 delicious muffin tops
• Difficulty: A cinch for even beginners!
• Total: 35 minutes, including prep and bake time
• Active: 10 minutes

Ingredients (11)

1. 6 ounces of crispy, crumbled bacon (keeps 1/2 cup crumbled, reserve drippings)
2. 1 cup fine stone-ground yellow cornmeal
3. 1 cup all-purpose flour
4. 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
5. 2 teaspoons baking powder
6. 2 teaspoons kosher salt
7. 1 teaspoon baking soda
8. 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (3/4 stick), melted and slightly cooled
9. 1 cup low-fat buttermilk, well shaken
10. 3 large eggs, at room temperature
11. 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves

Instructions

1. Set your oven to 400°F and place a rack in the middle. Coat the wells of 2 6-well muffin top pans or 1 standard 12-well muffin pan with bacon drippings (or use vegetable oil); set aside.
2. Combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda in a large bowl, whisk until smooth and free from lumps.
3. In a separate bowl, mix the melted butter, buttermilk, eggs, and thyme, whisk until well blended.
4. Add this wet mixture to the dry mixture, stirring just until combined (approximately 1 minute). Evenly distribute batter in the prepared wells (around 1/3 cup per muffin top), and sprinkle about 1 heaping teaspoon of crumbled bacon over each muffin top.
5. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the muffin tops are golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes before removing.

Enrichment insights:

While there isn't a specific recipe available for the Bacon-Thyme Corn Muffin Top mentioned in your request, you can easily create an appetizing version by combining traditional muffin top recipes with bacon and thyme. Here's one possible version:

Bacon-Thyme Corn Muffin Tops Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 large eggs
• 4 slices of crispy bacon, chopped
• 2 sprigs of fresh thyme, chopped

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Use a muffin top pan or a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper to create muffin top shapes.
3. Combine flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt in one bowl.
4. In another bowl, whisk together melted butter, buttermilk, and eggs.
5. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients; stir just until combined.
6. Fold in the chopped bacon and thyme.
7. Pour the batter into the prepared pan or onto the parchment paper in circles.
8. Bake for about 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.

Tips:

• Use a muffin top pan, if possible, for a perfect shape.
• Don’t overmix to keep the muffin tops light and airy.
• Experiment with various herbs or spices to create unique flavors.

Other creative muffin recipes include Moroccan Muffins, Banana Spinach Muffins, and Cottage Cheese Muffins. These recipes show you that muffins can be made with a variety of ingredients to create distinctive flavors and textures. Feel free to alter them based on your preferences!

1. The Bacon-Thyme Corn Muffin Top isn't categorized under a single specific recipe, but it can be easily created by combining traditional muffin top recipes with bacon and thyme.
2. This recipe calls for a total of 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, enough to ensure a rich, buttery taste that complements the bacon flavor.
3. To add a touch of charm to your Bacon-Thyme Corn Muffin Tops, consider sprinkling the tops with a little granulated sugar before baking.
4. In a quest for culinary exploration, you might find delight in categorizing your new Bacon-Thyme Corn Muffin Tops under the 'Festivus menu' alongside other unique dishes and desserts.

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