Cream Cheese and Strawberry Jam Muffins

Cream cheese and strawberry jam are a great duo - especially when placed inside muffins.

Enjoy these at breakfast with a tall glass of milk or a hot cup of coffee.

If you wish, after removing them from the oven, dust with confectioners' sugar.

Ingredients:

6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 egg
1 1/4 cups milk
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup butter
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup strawberry jam

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375° F.

In a bowl, using electric mixer, beat the cheese and the confectioners' sugar until creamy.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt and baking powder.

In a third bowl (batter), beat on low speed, the egg, milk, brown sugar, butter and vanilla extract. Stir into the dry ingredients.

Spoon the batter into muffin cups - 1/2 full.

Top with approximately 1 1/2 tablespoon of the cream mixture; top 1 teaspoon of jam over top of cream mixture; spoon more batter over jam (2/3 full).

Bake for 20 minutes or until muffins tops are lightly golden brown. Cool in pan. Remove muffins and cool on a wire rack.

Fruit Lovers Smoothie

Begin your morning right with this vitamin packed delicious fruit smoothie! Made with a hint of tangy with added orange juice. See variations at end of recipe.

Ingredients:
1 banana, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup blueberries
1 cup strawberries
1/2 cup orange juice
1 cup ice cubes
1 (8 ounce) container vanilla flavored yogurt

Directions:
In blender, add all ingredients except for yogurt; blend on high speed until smooth; add vanilla yogurt; blend on low speed approximately 10 seconds.
Pour immediately into small individual glasses.

Variations: Substitute orange juice with pineapple-banana blend juice - Substitute strawberries for raspberries. It's all good:)