Shamrock Muffins

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  Not only was this an M & M Monday (the day I get to cook for my daughter's family), it is also a special holiday for us.  Allow me to wander slightly; I worked 6 days a week, including 2 late evenings, while my children grew up.  There is some guilt about holidays other than Christmas and Easter (and even those probably didn't get the attention I should have given them!) getting little, or sometimes no attention.  My husband's family is Slovak.  Many holidays are rich in tradition.  I love and respect these traditions; and do try to keep them in my children's lives. My family however, is located all over the country, therefore holidays were focused on opportunity, not specific traditions.  My children only had St. Patrick's Day that they associated with my parents while growing up.  And, much to my surprise and pleasure, I always managed to pull this holiday off despite busy schedules!  So yes, I cooked a traditional Irish dinner tonight as usual.  However the recipe I am sharing is one I made year after year for my children.  So here's to the coin under the dinner plate that the leprechaun would leave, the green milk that appeared like magic while they were washing their hands and everything on the table being green, I give you a silly green cupcake that they looked forward to every year! When my daughter walked in this morning from work, her eyes lit up and she sounded like a 5 year old, when she saw the muffins on the counter.  It made my smiling Irish eyes tear up!

St. Patrick's Day Muffins

printable recipe

1-3/4 c. flour

1-4 serving size box of instant pistachio pudding

3/4 c. mini chocolate chips

2/3 c. sugar

2-1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

2 beaten eggs

1-1/4 c. milk

1/2 c. vegetable oil

1 tsp. vanilla

Stir together flour, pudding mix, chocolate chips, sugar, baking powder and salt.

Add the eggs, oil and vanilla to the milk.  Whisk together.

Stir into the flour mixture until just combined.

Line muffin tin with papers-about 15.

Fill cups 2/3 full.

Bake 375 degrees for 18-20 minutes.

Ice and decorate if you prefer.

Of course, what they didn't realize what ended the day was an adult treat to go with those green cupcakes....doing my mother and grandfather proud-I have so mastered the perfect Irish Coffee :) Slainte!