Mock Devonshire cream for scones

My cousin’s wife (and a member of my other blog, Real Women Eat) is having a baby.  So the family threw her a baby shower tea a couple weeks ago.  I was asked to bring the cream for the scones.  Perfect!  I have just the recipe!
I can be a snob when it comes to sweets.  Ask anyone that knows me well.  I didn’t even eat my own wedding cake because I don’t do “store bought” cakes.  Sad, I know. 
But I’m not a mean-girl snob.  I just don’t want to waste caloric intake on something I don’t love.  I know.   I know.
Back to the cream.  You probably already know this, but real Devonshire cream only comes from the milk of cows in Devon, England.  Hence, the name of this recipe… Mock Devonshire Cream.   Some recipes I’ve seen call for adding sour cream, which I don’t like the taste of in my cream (see above reference to snobbery).  This doesn’t call for that.

Mock Devonshire Cream
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
6-8 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
1 pint heavy whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Beat cream cheese until fluffy.  Beat in confectioners’ sugar until smooth.  Add whipping cream and beat on medium speed until combined, then beat on high until stiff peaks form
Refrigerate until serving.    This yields about 6.5 cups.  If that’s too much, you can half this recipe.
It’s really easy to make your own.  Never, ever use Cool Whip type topping.  That’s just wrong. (Again, see reference to snobbery above. )  Because making your own whipped cream is as simple as beating heavy cream, or whipping cream, with a hint of confectioners’ sugar until it becomes stiff.  No other chemicals, and the satisfaction of being able to say “I make it myself”.

I didn't make these scones.  Who knew, but Publix actually makes scones!  LOL.  However, if you'd like to try something that this cream would be great  on, how about these Strawberry Scones, or this would be heavenly on Fresh Peach Muffins  (just click on the recipe names)

Caramel Apple Muffins

Because it was a dreary day, I decided to go through my recipe notebooks for something new to try.

and decided on Caramel Apple Muffins.  I like apples, and I like....make that love... caramel so it was a no-brainer.  I think they're best served warm while the caramel is still gooey.  I saved two for hubby, and of course I had to try one, er... two.  And then I boxed up the rest for hubby to take to work with him to share.

Since I couldn't share them with you to taste, I'll share the recipe and you can make 'em yourself.  How's that? 

Fresh Caramel Apple Muffins

2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 egg

1 cup milk (I used evaporated, but I think buttermilk would be fantastic)

1/4 cup melted butter

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 cup chopped, peeled tart apples (granny smith)

12 caramels, chopped

TOPPING

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup quick-cooking oats

3 Tablespoons melted butter

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl.

Whisk the egg, milk, butter and vanilla and stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.  

Fold in the apples and caramels.

Fill paper-lined muffin cups 3/4 full.

Combine the topping ingredients; sprinkle over batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack.   Best served warm

Note:   You should watch the time when baking these.  Either my oven is wonky, or something, but mine were done before the suggested time. I would check at 15 minutes, and then gauge it from there.  

Also, while still kind of warm, I'd remove that paper lining.  Those melted caramels will make it stick  and when it cools you'll either never get that paper off, or you'll mutilate your poor muffin... unless of course you like added fiber (i.e., paper!!) in your diet. LOL

Enjoy!

Valentine Sachet Heart

How about a little trip down memory lane with a couple of crafty Valentine tutorials?

These Valentine'scrafts were shared two years ago, but since then there have been new friends on SweetJeanette.com that I thought I'd resurrect a couple of Valentine crafts from two years ago...just in case you haven't had time to go through my whole blog posts.

Just click on the pictures to be taken to the individual posts. Have fun!

and this one --- Heart wreath