Pineapple and Cream Cheese Muffins

Hawaiian flavors are combined in these yummy muffins, Aloha!

Photo taken by Rusvaplauke

 

INGREDIENTS:

1 package cream cheese, softened

1 4 ounce can of pineapple chunks in syrup, drained

1 tablespoon of white sugar

1 cup of white sugar

1 and 1/4 sticks unsalted butter, softened and cut into pieces

2 eggs

1/4 cup milk

2 cups cake flour

1/2 cup macadamia nuts, chopped

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 cup shredded coconut, sweetened (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Coat muffin cups with non-stick cooking spray or use paper liners.
2. In a medium bowl, cream together cream cheese, pineapple and 1 tablespoon sugar.
3. Using an electric mixture, cream together the butter and remaining 1 cup of sugar in a large bowl. Add the eggs one at a time, blending. Add the milk and beat until thoroughly combined.
4. Add the flour, nuts and baking powder, continue to beat until blended. It will be stiff.
5. Spoon 1 heaping tablespoon of batter into each of the prepared muffin cups. Top with 1 tablespoon of cream cheese mixture and spoon another tablespoon of batter on top. Sprinkle with shredded coconut if desired.
6. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and bake another 10 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean. Serve warm.