Cowboy Cranberry Orange Muffins

We're talking all things cowboy today, and that's because of this....

Oh be still my heart, I love this cover!

And I just found out yesterday that "Home on the Range" was given 4 1/2 Stars Top Pick! from Romantic Times Review....

Yes, you can pre-order right here!!! (big smile attached)

Oh, be still my heart AGAIN!!!!! Thank you Carrie Townsend and Romantic Times!!!!

So we have to celebrate. Why? Because why not? We should always celebrate good times, and the thought that this sweet story is touching hearts... and souls... is an absolute thrill.

Today we're going to reward someone with a copy of "Home on the Range"... Leave a comment here, and if for some reason the blog does not cooperate, then leave me a comment on facebook/Ruth Logan Herne... and if you need to friend me, I'll consider the friend request an entry!

The Double S Ranch books have a GREAT KITCHEN. I mean, it is huge, sprawling, state-of-the-art amazing and I'd give my right arm to operate a kitchen like that, but for the moment, I'll operate in my sweet old farmhouse kitchen!

And we sell baked goods at our farm stand, whatever form of deliciousness happens to jump out of the oven that day, and I wanted to try Cranberry Orange muffins.... so you're going to get TWO distinctly different recipes today. I think I'm partial to recipe #2, but that might be because it's PINK....

Recipe #1:

2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup dried, sweetened cranberries chopped lightly
3/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup oil
1 egg
2 tablespoons orange zest (grated orange peel)

Pour orange juice over cranberries, heat for 30 seconds in  microwave, then let sit while gathering everything else.

Mix dry ingredients together. Add egg, oil, juice and cranberries mixture. Mix with spoon just until all ingredients are mixed in. Sprinkle top with sugar.

Line muffin cups with paper liner or spray/flour each cup. Fill 2/3 full and bake at 375° for 12 to 15 minutes.

These were hot and they steamed my camera lens!!!!  Do you see that I used colored sugar on the top so you get a kind of happy sparkle????

RECIPE #2:

2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
2 cups cranberry orange relish

Mix dry ingredients. Add eggs, oil and cranberry orange relish.

Mix until all ingredients are moistened. The relish turns the batter PINK!!!! It's so pretty! Pink with flecks of orange and bits of cranberry goodness.

Bake at 375° for 12 to 15 minutes, until muffin springs back when touched lightly with finger.

Look at the difference! The pink recipe is moister, more like a carrot cake consistency... the extra 1/4 cup of oil, I think... the first recipe is more traditional old-fashioned muffin consistency, moist, but not spongy.... And with a wonderful hearty flavor.

But who wouldn't love PINK MUFFINS??????

I used multi-colored "sanding" sugar on top, it's the only color I had in the house, but it's pretty, isn't it? Sanding sugar is the bigger grind sugar that sparkles on baked goods...  Here's a link to some on Amazon:  SANDING SUGAR 

And the farm is hopping this week with fun pumpkin sales, great customers, and folks are putting our signs EVERYWHERE!!!!

It's so fun to see young families (and some not-so-young ones, too!) come by and have a great autumn experience for affordable prices. Our slogan is "We bring Farm-Fresh Friendly to You!" and with no middleman.... we can keep prices down. Win for everyone!!!

That's it for today.... and be sure to comment or dash over to facebook and let me know you want to be entered in today's drawing for "Home on the Range".

And if I can add you to my mailing list: Pure Bonus!

Multi-published, bestselling author Ruth Logan Herne is living her dream and generally wakes up pinching herself to see if this is real... and it appears to be! She lives on a fun, cray-cray farm in upstate New York that shelters children of all ages, dogs, cats, chickens, a mega-load of pumpkins and her fair share of wild creatures who occasionally gain access to her house. (She is not amused by such happenings, by the way).  Friend Ruthy on facebook, stop by her website, or hang out with her and her cool buddies in Seekerville where the daily chat is about writing... and reading!