Happy New Year! Welcome 2011

Well. Heeeeellllllllooooooo 2011! Can you believe it? 2010 was a truly fantastic year, and was full of so many lovely moments (and crafts!) I have a sneaky suspicion that 2011 is going to be even better! I speak it!

To start the year off on the right track, I made some friends little "New Year's" happy gift. These packages contained everything, (almost) needed to make chocolate pecan muffins. My thought was that everyone is probably DONE with dessert by January 1. I mean, I know I had fallen off the wagon in the month of December, and had become quite the glutton. (Since, I have repented, and sworn off the temptation that is CHOCOLATE!) Anyway, I figured this would be a nice gift to have around in a month, or so when we all have forgotten how we gorged in December on sugar cookies, fudge, and little green and red M&M's. Like I said, this was MY figuring.
These are really sweet, no pun intended, thoughtful gifts that are inexpensive as well. Also, great for single guys...right Debo?

Here's what you do:

Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon into a large bowl (a great job for kids). Carefully pour the mixture into a clear cellophane bag big enough to hold about 5 cups. Next, top the mixture with the chocolate chips followed by the pecans to create a layered look. Seal the top of the bag with clear packing tape. Then tie on a ribbon and a card with the Chocolate Pecan Muffin recipe instructions printed inside. I also added a little bottle cap magnet that I made with my friends' initial on it. (How to make those is coming soon!)

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

• 3/4 cup chocolate chips
  
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Instructions to print and attach:

1. Heat the oven to 400° and butter the bottoms only of 12 regular-size or 6 jumbo muffin cups.

2. Pour the muffin mix into a large bowl and stir with a wooden spoon. In another bowl, whisk l large egg. Then blend in 1 1/2 cups of milk and 1/3 cup of vegetable oil.

3. Make a well in the dry ingredients. Pour in the liquid mixture and stir just until smooth. Spoon the batter into the muffin cups.

4. Bake the muffins on the center oven rack until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 15 to 20 minutes for regular muffins or 20 to 25 minutes for jumbo muffins. Serve warm and enjoy!