Orange Marmie Muffins with Cardamom Pine Nut Streusel

H-Bomb is the leader at preschool tomorrow, and when I asked him what he wanted to take for snack, he suggested muffins with pine nuts. Off on an internet search I was, and this is what I found on a blog called Eating Out Loud. The guy is from Michigan, so he can't be half bad, and this recipe sounds too delicious not to try! (he took better pictures than I did, but I was in a hurry. Go check his out) The recipe also fits in well with the preschool's "Foreign Friends" theme this week, as cardamom is a spice from India. Perfect.

These muffins sound so good that I am making a double batch from the start. Preschool kids can't have them all! **The muffins are excellent. The flavors are subtle and unexpected, yet all work well together. I will definitely be making these again. You should try them.

Update-Batch #2=I used a heaping 1/2 tsp. of cardamom, and then, just a bit too late, I had an excellent idea: chopped whole cardamom pods along with chopped pine nuts! Batch #3, here we come!

Orange marmie muffins
1 3/4 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup orange marmalade
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 cup milk
4 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 tsp vanilla

Cardamom pine nut streusel
1/2 cup pine nuts, half of them chopped finely
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 tsp. ground cardamom
2 tablespoons butter, softened

When making muffins, I don't follow a lot of procedure. Muffin batter is pretty forgiving and I'm not one to fuss around. Add the dry muffin ingredients to a mixing bowl, add wet ingredients, and stir to combine. Simple! Pour into a greased muffin tin, filling each muffin cup 2/3 full.

For the streusel, use a fork (or your fingers) to mush the ingredients together. Sprinkle about 1 tablespoon over the top of each muffin.

Bake the muffins in a preheated 400 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until the muffins test done. Allow to cool for 15 minutes before removing from the muffin pan. Makes 12 muffins.