Peanut Butter and Jelly Muffins

This one definitely warranted a fist pump. A PBJ themed muffin/cupcake seemed like a really cute idea, and this recipe (all my own) worked well. The muffins are delicious, though I should have used less or no nutmeg. I'm also giving myself bonus points for adding fiber and antioxidants...

I'm not a big fan of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, but there is something nice about the flavor combo in muffin form, at least to me. It's also going to be a healthy and filling breakfast, thanks to the whole wheat flour, berries and small amount of peanut butter.

Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat flour
3/4 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
1/4 cup berry jam ( I used a very sweet Mixed Berry Jam, but you can pick your own damn berry)
1/4 cup brandy (optional)
1 cup frozen mixed berries (blue and black berries, strawberries and raspberries)
2 eggs, beaten
1/3 cup milk (I mixed skim milk and heavy cream, but whatever you've got is fine)
1/3 cup butter, softened
Peanut butter (for spreading when the muffins are done)

Defrost your frozen berries in the brandy. The brandy is by no means necessary for this recipe, but I like cooking with alcohol and I think it added something. Make sure they defrost all the way, because it helps if they are at room temperature when you mix them with the butter later.

Thoroughly mix all of your dry ingredients in a medium sized bowl. In a large bowl, mix all of your wet ingredient, including the berries and jam but not the peanut butter, obviously. Because of the berries and jam, you don't really need food coloring for that nice berry-colored muffin. I added a little blue and red just in case.

Wet Ingredients

Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix well. Add this batter to a cupcake pan, into paper or metallic baking cups. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. To make sure they're done, use the trustworthy toothpick trick. Let them cool for about 15 minutes, and serve with peanut butter on top like frosing, or smeared on the side.