French Breakfast Puffs

by Lynne on February 27, 2016

Post image for French Breakfast Puffs

French Breakfast Puffs 1.2

I first made French Breakfast Puffs around 1959 from my Mom’s Betty Crocker Cookbook. I guess that means I have been making them regularly for 57 years. I’d say it has to be a pretty damn good recipe to be kept in a cook’s repertoire for that long, and still be thoroughly enjoyed every single time. Well, this is definitely one of those.

The muffin inside is sort of like a nutmeg-flavored cake donut, with a soft small crumb that melts in your mouth. Then, with the flavor of the melted butter and cinnamon-sugar on top, you are transported to muffin heaven. Whether for breakfast, snack or afternoon tea, it is a winner winner.

French Breakfast Puffs 2

This probably isn’t a topic for a food blog, but you may have been wondering if I had fallen off the edge of the earth for the last couple of months. Actually, since last October I have been derailed with a frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis. Fortunately it’s my left shoulder as I am right handed. It was the worst pain I have ever had in my life. I couldn’t lift my arm. I couldn’t sleep and had depression. I had a doctor, a shoulder surgeon, a rheumatologist, an x-ray, an MRI, a nuclear bone scan, an injection into my shoulder and now I’m going to physical therapy. I was not cooking or doing food photography, believe me. However, the shot in my shoulder muted the pain about 90%, so now I can sleep and am feeling much better inside my head. These French Breakfast Puffs were comfort food to the max and the first of many great recipes I’m planning to share with you in the near future. I’m so glad to be back!

French Breakfast Puffs 3.1

Print Recipe Print Recipe

French Breakfast Puffs

Makes 10 – 12 muffins

1/3 cup butter, softened
½ cup sugar
1 egg
1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ cup milk

1/3 cup butter, melted in medium bowl
½ cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease bottoms of muffin tin wells.

2. In a large bowl, mix together butter, sugar and egg thoroughly.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and nutmeg.

4. Add half of milk to egg mixture and combine. Add half of flour mixture and combine.

5. Stir in the rest of milk and then the rest of flour.

6. Fill the muffin tins 2/3 full. This will make 10 to 12 depending on the size of your tin.

7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until a pick comes out clean.

8. Remove muffins from tin to a rack until cool enough to handle.

9. Mix the ½ cup sugar and cinnamon together in medium bowl.

10. Dip top of one muffin in melted butter, then roll in cinnamon sugar mixture. Finish all muffins in same manner. Enjoy!

Note: I like to cut my Puffs in half or thirds and spread with a little cold butter. Yum.

{ 1 trackback }

50 Scrumptious Breakfast Muffin Recipes
May 14, 2016 at 6:44 am

{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }

Adri February 27, 2016 at 12:10 pm

Oh dear, no. Lynne, about 15 years ago I suffered the same thing. I saw the same physicians and health care providers. I had the same tests. I think one must have lived through the pain and accompanying desperation, the almost complete disability that is adhesive capsulitis to really “get it”, as they say.

I have a vivid recollection of sitting in bed, my right shoulder swathed in ice, and thinking “Well, if they amputate my arm, then there will be no joint to be frozen, and then my pain will go away.” Yup. I really thought that. It was so nuts. I remember going to restaurants and sitting in booths. I had to lift my arm up and place it on the table which is where it would stay for the whole meal. For me the darkest moment came at a return visit to the pain control physician. I felt badly that I had to tell him the pain medication was ineffective. I told him, and he said “Oh, I can not take your pain away.” I was just floored, utterly devastated. So I have walked this road, and I feel so terribly badly for you. For me the answer was a fantastic physical therapist, and I hope you are getting lots of relief now.

I also remember thinking “I’m barely fifty now. What will happen as I get older” It took well over a year of physical therapy to get better. To be honest, I surpassed everyone’s expectations for recovery. I really stuck with it. I did not give up, and I took it easy, but steadily. I had suffered a great deal of muscle atrophy because for so long I did not use my right arm at all. One could see right through to the bone beneath the skin. The musculature was gone. I feel so badly to hear that you have been living this hell. I have never put this personal health info out there, but I thought now was an appropriate time to share. I am here in LA – the Valley Glen area. So if you should ever wish to compare notes, please feel free to contact me.

About these buns, well, they’ve got to make you feel better. Talk about a keeper! This one has stood the test of time – just like us!. The best thing about them, however, is that you felt well enough to make them.

Be well!

Rita February 27, 2016 at 3:07 pm

Hi Lynne. So glad to hear you’re on the mend. I did wonder why we were not hearing from you. These muffins look fabulous. Thanks for sharing this well tested recipe. All the best!

Maryjo Ordway February 27, 2016 at 3:16 pm

Thanks for the recipe and welcome back!
Frozen shoulder — yep, been there done that in conjunction with a broken upper arm. Physical therapy is the only answer in the end, sigh, and I too stuck with it (re another comment above) for over a year. I also did lots of floor/yoga exercises — the best thing was an old DVD called “yoga for inflexible people” (still available on Amazon) and did the shoulder/neck section. Saved my life! But I still remember the “shock” of how I couldn’t do simple things, as in who knew you used your shoulder to turn around in the shower and get out of bed … sure made me very interested in body physiology! Hope you can get some massages, too! Good luck — but it does get better eventually if you can stick with the PT. Thanks again for all your recipes, past and future!

Laurel February 27, 2016 at 3:27 pm

So sorry to hear about your shoulder. I hurt my shoulder in yoga!!! It took almost a year to heal, so be patient and I’m sure you will get better. These muffins look simple and delicious.

janet February 28, 2016 at 7:13 am

Glad you are back. Wish you all the best. Thanks for the recipe!

Thalia @ butter and brioche February 28, 2016 at 7:57 pm

Love a classic french breakfast puff. These look perfect.

Jennifer March 2, 2016 at 10:28 am

Glad to hear that you’re on the mend…such a lovely recipe to come back with 🙂

Lynne March 5, 2016 at 2:02 pm

Dear Friends ~ Thank you for your well wishes, encouragement and shared stories. It’s good to know I am not the only one who has had a bum shoulder, and that it will get better. Physical therapy is helping already, so I’m seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you again. Lynne xo

Patricia@FreshFoodinaFlash April 8, 2016 at 12:18 pm

Was missing your posts, recipes and photographs Lynne. Glad to hear that you are on the mend!

Leave a Comment

Previous post:

Next post: