Blueberry Muffins with a hint of Lemon Zest

So, does anyone else out there need a break from reality as badly as I do? Well then I’m sure you won’t mind going along with me on a little fantasy … Go ahead relax…unwind and sink into those old but dearly loved leather sleepers. It’s sometime back in the mid 1800s in the western part of North America and you are around 17 years of age. You have a few siblings and live in a log cabin that your Pa built with his bare hands. Faintly, you hear your mother’s voice softly cooing at you. “Sweet girl, if you keep starring out that window you’re going to make those pretty eyes all red from the strain”. You knew your mother was right but you honestly couldn’t help yourself. Pa was outside repairing the fence for the horses with the neighbor boy, Levi. Oh, if growing up with him wasn’t enough, add in the constant teasing and childhood games the two of you used to play. Now he has grown up and was gorgeous. Not fair, not fair at all! More recently, Levi had been nothing but kind, running over to help you close the barns doors and make sure all the animals were safely tucked away during the storm, just a day ago. Pa had been away seeing about a new plow horse during that horrible storm and Levi had come to your rescue. Peering back through the window you take a glance at his muddy yet incredibly strong hands. You observe how similar they are to your fathers, yet not as worn from all the additional years of hard work. The dark mud stains on his hands make you reminisce of the time you headed into town to get something for Mother and Levi grabbed you by the waist from the carriage so you wouldn’t sink into a pile full mud. The fragrance of blueberries and cinnamon baking in the oven capture your senses. “It smells like they’re almost done” your mother comments from her creaking rocking chair. She had since moved over to it so she could get busy with her crocheting. “Yes, I do believe you are right mother” you reply as you pull out the blueberry muffins nearly burning your pinky in the process. You let them cool just enough to the touch, then grab a wooden basket and a cloth napkin, place your delectable’s inside and out the door you go. Immediately you’re embraced by the glorious sunshine beaming through the faint clouds. Your eyes rest upon your Pa and then of course Levi. The thought crosses your mind; could he ever be interested in me? “Darling what did you bring us?” Pa’s deep yet sensitive voice breaks through your cloudy daydream. “Blueberry muffins Pa” you answer your father, yet your body completely turned to Levi. He was dirty and smelled like pine, his shirt was rolled up past his elbows and there were small droplets of sweat gliding down his temples. His eyes were completely fixed on you. Of course this made you slightly uncomfortable which probably was apparent from how you were switching your weight from one leg to the other and then back again. You quickly glance over at your Pa who had a huge grin across his face. That honestly puzzled you, how could he know anything… Pa broke the inherent silence with “sweet girl, Levi has expressed his feelings to me and would greatly like to ask you to go to the Church fellowship potluck this Sunday”. You whirl back to Levi and reply “yes, yes Levi I would love to go with you”! Thinking to yourself that after your earlier thoughts you probably should start going to Church daily. Nervously you smile up at Levi, while your father says “ good , this is very good".

Original Recipe Yield 1 dozen

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups fresh blueberries
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1/2 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 5 tablespoons white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons butter, diced

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease 12 muffin cups or line with paper muffin liners.
2. Combine 2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in medium bowl. In a small bowl, sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons flour over blueberries, and set aside. (This simple trick will keep you from having "purple" batter)
3. In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup butter with 3/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, and stir in vanilla and lemon zest. Fold in dry ingredients alternately with milk. Fold in blueberries. Remember, fold gently, don't stir. Spoon batter into prepared cups.
4. Combine 2 tablespoons flour, 5 tablespoons sugar ,and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a small bowl. Cut in 2 tablespoons butter with fork or pastry blender until mixture resembles course crumbs. Sprinkle over batter in muffin cups.
5. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack. These muffins freeze really well, and re-heat in the microwave successfully. Hope you enjoy!! Allrecipes