English Muffin Mini Pizzas

This recipe is a blast from my childhood...I hadn't made one of these in years!  But then, the other day, as I was staring into my nearly empty refrigerator - yes, I needed to go FOOD shopping, I can make a baked good or pastry item at the drop of the hat, but a savory meal...fugetabouit!  And before you go thinking I can't cook, I can!  It's just that I don't normally have savory ingredients on hand...

Anywho...as I was staring into my nearly empty refrigerator, my eyes landed on the package of English muffins...and the pepperonis, left over from some past dish...and, viola!  I decided to make English Muffin Pizzas!

These are great, and probably the reason my mom had them in the food rotation when my sisters and I were younger, because #1:  they are ready in about 15 minutes and #2:  everybody can make their own pizza, choosing only the toppings they like.  Assuming you provide a plethora of toppings, of course.

English Muffin Mini Pizzas
Printable Recipe




Ingredients:

• English Muffins, plain, split into 2 halves
• Plan 1 to 2 muffins per person, or 2 to 4 "slices"
• Pizza Sauce, jarred or homemade
• Cheese of your choosing (I like to use Mozzarella or a Mexican Fiesta Blend)
• Additional Toppings of your choosing, some suggestions:
• Pepperonis (you'll want to quarter them or use the minis)
• Cooked, scrambled sausage or hamburger
• Bell peppers
• Onions

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.  Line a baking sheet with foil, and place the desired number of English Muffin halves onto it.
2. Add the pizza sauce, cheese, and any additional toppings to the muffin halves.
3. Bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the muffins are heated through.
4. Serve as is, or if you have a broiler and would like to get a nice crunch on the edges of the muffins, place them under the flame for a few minutes before serving.  Just watch them carefully so they don't burn!

Happy cooking!

Sour Cream Chip Muffins

These muffins make a perfect breakfast or a great snack and are quick to whip up using ingredients you probably already have on hand.  An added bonus to this recipe is that you won't even have to get out the mixer!  Try using different flavored chips to change things up - mint chocolate chips lend them a festive holiday feel and are one of my favorite variations.

Sour Cream Chip Muffins
Printable Recipe
Adapted from Taste of Home
Yield:  Approximately 1 dozen muffins
Time:  30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 8 oz sour cream
• 5 Tbsp butter, melted
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.  In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  In a separate bowl, combine the egg, sour cream, butter, and vanilla; stir well.  Add the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients; stir just until moistened.  (Dough will be thick.)  Fold in the chocolate chips.
2. Fill 12 greased or paper-lined muffin cups 3/4 full.  Bake at 350°F for 15 to 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.  Cool for 5 minutes before removing from the pan to a wire rack.  Allow to cool completely, then store in an airtight container.

Happy Baking!