cupcakes for breakfast!

So, if you know my carnivore you know he wouldn't pick up a piece of fruit if it fell off a tree and hit him in the head. Therefore, I am always trying to sneak fruit in whenever I can. This cupcake is the perfect example. And, yes, it really is a cupcake, not a muffin. I got the recipe from my 500 Cupcakes cookbook. But, it actually packs in a lot of goodies - like apples, pears, raisins, pecans, and cinnamon. So even if he is eating a cupcake for breakfast he is getting fiber, vitamin C, antioxidants, protein, and manganese - just to name a few nutrients. If you are still feeling guilty, remember this isn't an everyday thing. It is a special treat for you and possibly your little ones (or big ones with the palates of small children). You will all love this breakfast cupcake!

For this decadent day starter you will need:
1 stick of sweet butter, softened
1/2 cup and 1 tblsp of sugar (and a little more for dusting)
1 cup self-rising flour
2 eggs
3/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce (or two of those little one you pack in a lunch)
3/4 tsp of cinnamon
1/2 cup of chopped pecans
1/2 cup of raisins (I actually found packs of raisins mixed with dried apples and cinnamon)
1/2 a pear (or apple), sliced into bite sized bits

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease or line a muffin pan with silicone cups (see my amazon store for the ones I love to use). Mix the butter, sugar, flour and eggs until smooth and pale. Add in the remaining ingredients, except the pear. Spoon the batter into the cups. Add slices of pear on top. Sprinkle with a bit more sugar. Bake for 25 minutes. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes, then cool on rack. Makes one dozen cupcakes. Great when served warm!

menu ideas:
Serve a cupcake with two real sausage links or soysage links along side a cup of orange juice, milk, or coffee.