spiced powder puff poppers Maria Provenzano

Who doesn't love breakfast pastries? These Spiced Powder Puff Poppers are so perfect for the holidays. They look snowy and festive, plus they are made with the spices that are so wonderful this time of year. Cinnamon and nutmeg are commonly found, but I also like to add cardamom. If you haven't tried it I highly suggest it. Cardamom is slightly sweet with a woodsy, warm, and hearty flavor. It's good in coffee as well! These are called poppers because I bake them in mini muffin tins and you can just pop them in your mouth. They are light, fluffy, and gently spiced which balances the sweet flavor of the powdered sugar. You can make these as regular sized muffins, but be sure to not overfill the muffin tin. That goes for the mini muffin tins too. These do puff up nicely (especially if you are using fresh baking soda and baking powder), and you want to maintain the small puff to make them look more round... like a donut hole. I love this idea for a party or Christmas morning.

A fun way to present the poppers is as a tree! All you need to do is get a styrofoam cone, plastic wrap, and toothpicks. Kids (and adults) love picking off a popper from the tree. It makes your entire display look wintery and pretty. (Tutorial pictures below)

Spiced Powder Puff Poppers

Makes about 48 small poppers

2 cups flour (unbleached all-purpose)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon cardamom (optional)

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter; room temperature

1 cup sugar

2 eggs; room temperature

1 cup sour cream; room temperature

2 teaspoons vanilla

Coating:

1/2 cup butter; melted and cooled

2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions:

*Preheat your oven to 350 degree

*Mix together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and salt in a bowl

*Cream together the butter and sugar in a stand-mixer or using a hand-mixer until light and fluffy

*Add the eggs to the butter and sugar mixture one at a time and mix until combined

*Mix in the vanilla

*Add in the flour mixture alternating with adding in the sour cream

*Combine until just mixed (being careful NOT to over mix)

*Spray the mini muffin tins with cooking spray or brush with oil

*Scoop the batter into the muffin tins; only fill about half way to make sure these don't overflow

*Bake for about 10-12 minutes or until the batter has puffed up and is set; careful not to over bake to avoid a dry popper

*Mix together the sugar and spices in a bowl

*Pour the melted and cooled butter into another bowl

*Allow the poppers to cool enough to be handled

*Using a pastry brush to brush the melted butter all over the popper and then roll it in the powdered sugar; if you don’t have a pastry brush you can simply dip them in the butter then roll them in the powdered sugar. Either way your hands are going to get messy… enjoy it!

*Once I have rolled all of the poppers in the sugar I like to do a second roll because it makes them look really pretty and helps the sugar stick better

*Place on a cooling rack

(Donut Tree instructions below)