Saturday, July 16, 2011

MESSED UP MUFFINS



I haven't blogged in ages, and now I have to come back with an unmitigated failure!  These apricot and chocolate muffins were just nasty, the actual muffins were rubbery and the apricots therein had an unpleasant jammy texture.

When I read Chele's challenge for this month's We Should Cocoa, I feared that I would be unable to source any fresh apricots, but as luck would have it there were some delicious specimens in the shop the very next day.  Murphy's law being what it is, everyone who visited over the next couple of days, spotted them, and said "you never see fresh apricots, may I take one?" and the punnet disappeared in no time!!!!  Fortunately I managed to get the last of the apricots the next time I went shopping, and even more fortunately (or not when you consider the way the muffins turned out!!) I managed to hide three of them to use for the challenge. 

I won't bother giving you the recipe* - why would I when this recipe is a million times better.  As for the apricots - they are just so nice when fresh and ripe (and so hard to locate) that I will stick to dried or tinned for my baking in future.  I have a lovely recipe for an apricot tart which uses tinned apricots - I must bake and blog it soon.



As I tell the kids, your mistakes are just as important as your successes, so I'll put this one down to furthering my culinary education!  They did look nice though!!

*All I'll say is that Ms Smith isn't totally infallible.


25 comments:

Gloria Baker said...

Hi Im happy you come back, these look amazing and delicious! gloria

Victory Rolls & Mixing Bowls said...

I love that you posted a cake fail, we always worry about doing this but it's important to see that not everyone gets it right, sometimes it just doesnt work! i bet they still tasted good though! x

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

Aww,that's too bad they weren't tasty! I love apricots dipped in chocolate!

cocoa and coconut said...

Shame that they didn't work out for you! Although, apricot and chocolate sounds like a good combination.

Unknown said...

Oh. But. 'rubbery' is my favourite chocolate muffin texture! I adore tinned apricots. I bet they'd make these taste better. Better luck next time. And it's always good to see you here xx

Coby said...

You know, when you're as good a baker as you are BrownieGirl, you can have seriously high standards?;) You're right though, the mistakes are what we learn from, though did you make any mistakes or was it just not the best recipe?

Anna's kitchen table said...

It's lovely to see you back blogging! And you know a 'failure' makes me feel a little better that 'it's not just me' that has blips now and then. :-))
X

Care Bear said...

I really like it when people blog things that didn't work out so well.

And there should be more fresh apricots. Why did they go out of fashion?
xx

Anonymous said...

I'm happy to see you back. I've been wondering how you've been. You're right,the muffins look lovely. It's a pity they didn't taste good.

Caroline said...

My last muffins were a complete flop - flat as a pancake! It's very frustrating, especially when you've got the recipe from a trusted source and invested time and energy (and money!) in them.

Never mind, better luck next time!

Unknown said...

Aww never mind. As someone said above,we all have blips now and again! I havent gotten around to doing my part in this months challenge yet,I'd best get a wriggle on! Life gets in the way of my baking tut tut

Anonymous said...

No worries! Glad to see you back to blogging.

Jo said...

Oh no that's such a shame, it can be so disheartening when a recipe doesn't work. Don't give up!

Alchemy In The Kitchen said...

Welcome back! I love your honesty. If I kill a recipe, I usually hide the body and pretend it didn't happen :) Glad the second batch worked out. I love apricots but it is so rare to get fresh ones and even rarer to get fresh juicy ones - they are usually nasty woolly specimens.

Choclette said...

Oh isn't it disappointing when things don't turn out the way you expect? They certainly look good though.

Zoe said...

I've not heard from you for quite a while. Welcome back.

laurie said...

Too bad they sure look good!

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

Don't you just hate going through all the trouble to bake something and then it doesn't come out as expected. I can't tell you how many times it has happened to me. I think it was honest of you to tell us about it.

teresa said...

i've definitely had my fair share of failures. the idea sounds good though!

Aveen said...

Well maybe you weren't pleased with them, but they look absolutely delicious in the photos! I agree though, fresh apricots are just too nice to bake with and should be devoured just by themselves :)

freerangegirl said...

Good to see you back whatever:)
If I had a pound for every cake that hasn't risen or lopsided loaf, I'd be one very rich blogger - sometimes I think my blog pictures are simply because I'm amazed that something came out edible at all...and yours still look tasty!

Nicoletta Palmas said...

Hi!!! I just discovered your blog....and I'm so glad because is just amazing!!! and this muffins look so delicious. In Italy is not so difficult to find fresh apricots in summer time...and I really want to try this recipe!!!! ciaooo

Megan @ Foodalution said...

What to do with a rubbery muffin?
1) feed the birds
2) feed the dog
3) door stop
3) have a contest - Who can throw the rubbery muffin the farthest!
Hope you are well! - Cute post even if they didn't turn out.
Meg

Sue/the view from great island said...

Too bad! I think they look like they'd be delicious, and I just love the thought of the apricot and brownie-like combination.

Julie said...

Live and learn 'eh? They can't all be winners :)