Godiva Coffee inspires Cappuccino Muffins and Affogato

I have spent ten days locked in the computer room writing an "Artist Statement." Downstairs in the den, Kirsten is writing her "Statement of Purpose" for grad school applications. We have bridged the generation gap and compare word count and ask each other "are we writing in the active first person?"  

Days like these call for coffee. On hour 50 as I contemplate the themes that stream through my plays and just  what is my 'artistic vision for theatre' anyway - I crave coffee. The promise of coffee lures me out of "artist statement purgatory." I received two bags of Godiva Coffee's seasonal flavors: Pumpkin Spice and Caramel Pecan Bark through the Foodbuzz Tastemaker Program. Theatre is "all in the timing" and these were perfectly timed gifts! Kirsten and I bonded over word-count and many cups of coffee.

Aside from downing many pots of rich, autumn-spiced black coffee - I baked. These cappuccino muffins have been on my to-do list for awhile. Black coffee is such a tease. It knows you will cave in and make a sweet.

Cappuccino Muffins (slightly changed from Home Baking)

(Makes 12 - okay, mine made 11)

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup sugar plus 1/8 cup sugar (divided)

2-1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1 cup whole milk

1/4 cup Pumpkin Spice Godiva Coffee - make a strong brew

1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled

1 egg - slightly beaten

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used bittersweet)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line muffin tin or grease liberally.

In a large bowl whisk flour, 1/2 cup sugar, baking powder, salt cinnamon and nutmeg. In a coffee mug, add 1/8 cup sugar to 1/4 cup of the brewed strong coffee. You could even simmer it down a bit and let it caramelize Let the coffee cool. In a medium bowl mix the milk, egg,. butter, vanilla and cooled coffee. Stir the milk mixture into the flour mixture until just combined. Do not over mix. Fold in the chocolate chips. Fill muffin tins 3/4 cups full. You should get 12 muffins if you don't spill the batter all over the tin as I did.

Bake 15-20 minutes until toothpick inserted in the middle of a muffin comes out clean. The website states this freezes well. I have no idea. After I announced this on Facebook all sorts of friends came-a-calling.  It's a light treat - and some people related to me consumed 4 at one time. Just a touch of coffee - and enough chocolate to keep it interesting. And for the very few of you who don't love chocolate (although how anyone can write an artistic statement without chocolate and coffee baffles me) - if you left it out - I wouldn't berate you. 

The next treat is a no-brainer. It's perfectly suited to Godiva's Caramel-Pecan Bark coffee. If you're Italian - you know it form the photo. If I took a proper photo. While creating the perfect artistic statement... 

Affogato. Traditionally it is simply the best quality gelato you can get your hands on doused with equally good-quality  espresso. A little chocolate or caramel wouldn't hurt!

 No brain cells were destroyed in the creating and consumption of these coffees and sweets. Indeed, the Artistic Statement left the house late this afternoon. And I feel like I just scored the winning run in Game Six of the World Series. Oh! Someone did that yesterday, didn't they?

And there's a bonus to this coffee. Not only does it deliver a non-bitter rich cup of java - it brings autumn into your home. One sweet whiff of the pumpkin spice coffee or the caramel-pecan bark coffee would entice Sleepy-the-dwarf out of bed. (I know - my daughter models herself after Sleepy!) The aromas are that enticing. Autumn just caresses Minnesota. There's nothing wrong with prolonging the season with coffee! (I think the artistic statement hung around this house longer than autumn.)  Thank-you to Foodbuzz and Godiva. These were a pleasure to review!