038

Marathons make my thighs quiver.

They quiver with anticipation.  With excitement.  With yearning.

062

For those of you who do not celebrate Marathon Sunday as if it is a national holiday, you might not know that today at approximately 9:40 AM, the first wave of runners in the New York City Marathon will leave their corrals in Staten Island and embark on a 26.2 mile course that will carry them through all five of New York’s boroughs.  Ending, of course, in Central Park.  Tired.  Achy.  And Exhilarated.

Isn’t there something so beautiful about that?

I could cry just thinking about it.  No really.  I might just be crying.  Thinking about it.

027

I am lucky in that the marathon passes right by my apartment.  A “prime viewing location” if ever I’ve encountered one.

Which is just perfect since my cousin, Meghan, will be running today.  As is Caronae of Run Write Therapy Life.  And I wouldn’t miss either of them for the world.

And yes.  My thighs will be quivering.  They will quiver from the start time right down to the second that the last runner crosses that finish line.  It’s all a matter of intuition.  They will know.
057

You know what else makes my thighs quiver?

Donuts.

Donuts for sure make my thighs quiver.

In a different but equally glorious way.

I am pretty much an equal opportunist when it comes to donuts, although I haven’t had one in…oh…four years?  But my ultimate favorite are jelly donuts.  This may be because when I was little, my dad used to bring home handmade jelly donuts that were bursting with real homemade raspberry jelly from a local German bakery.  They were so unlike anything you’ll ever get at Dunkin Donuts that it’s truly sacreligious to even call those deep fried things that they serve at that horrible fast food location by the same name.  One day, I shall attempt to recreate that donut experience.  You know.  When the day comes that I own a deep fryer.

But when I came home with a bag of cranberries, I had a whole other type of jelly donut in mind.  One that did not involve deep frying but did involve some homemade cranberry sauce, 2 muffin tins, and an oven that was preheated to 350 degrees.  In short.  Jelly donut muffins.  The perfect treat to bring into an 8AM class on Friday morning.

And also to set those thighs quivering. For those of you who aren’t quite as emotionally attached to marathons as I am.

061

Ginger Pomegranate Cranberry Sauce
An Eats Well With Others original

12 oz fresh or frozen cranberries
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup POM Wonderful cranberry pomegranate juice*
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 inch fresh ginger, grated
1 tsp ground ginger

Mix all ingredients in a pan and bring to a boil.  Turn to a simmer and, stirring frequently, cook until thickened, about 20 minutes.  Strain through a fine-meshed sieve into a large bowl.  Let cool.

Jelly Donut Muffins
Makes 21 (probably 24 if you are adept at all in only filling the cups 3/4 full), adapted from Buns in My Oven, Baking Bites, and Cinnamon Spice and Everything Nice

1 1/2 cups sugar
2 large eggs
3 cups AP flour
4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups almond milk (or milk of your choice)
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 tbsp butter, melted, for dipping
1/2 cup sugar, for rolling
1 tbsp cinnamon, for rolling

1. Preheat oven to 350.  Grease your muffin tins with cooking spray.  Grease well.  You don’t want to encourage any muffin stickage.  I promise.

2. Beat together sugar and eggs in a large bowl until fluffy.  In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg.  Mix well.  Pour into the sugar/egg mixture and mix until well combined.  Add in the vegetable oil, almond milk, and vanilla.  Stir until well combined.

3. Pour batter into well-greased muffin tins, filling each about 3/4 of the way full.  Bake in a normal oven that works as it’s supposed to for about 15 minutes or until the tester comes out clean.  If you are a using an oven that is chronically below the temperature it says it is…then bake for about 25 minutes or until a tester inserted comes out clean.

4.  In one small bowl, melt the butter.  In a second small bowl, combine 1/2 cup sugar with 1 tbsp cinnamon.  Once the muffins are cool enough to touch, dunk them first in the butter and then in the cinnamon-sugar mixture.  Place them on a wire rack to cool.

5. If you don’t want jelly donut muffins, you can stop here.  But if you do, then proceed onward.  Once the muffins are cool, the filling can begin.  Now.  If you are adept at all in any way at piping filling into muffins or cupcakes, then go for it.  When i tried to put my cranberry sauce into a piping bag and then pipe it in…mass chaos ensued and cranberry sauce ended up everywhere BUT inside the muffin.  Plan b.  Coming from the bottom of the muffin, cut a small circle into the bottom of the muffin, only putting your knife about 2/3 of the way through.  Then, using the back of a spoon, pop out this little piece of cupcake.  Pipe or pour some cranberry sauce into this hole that you’ve just created and then put the piece of cupcake that you’ve popped out back into the hole.  I.e.  Cork it.  Voila!

I am submitting this to this month’s Monthly Mingle, the theme of which is baking with fruit!  Because last time I checked…cranberries were fruit, yeah?  It is being hosted by Deeba of Passionate About Baking.

Also, send me your entries for REGIONAL RECIPES: Brazil!  And be sure to check out the Japan and Germany round-ups!

*DISCLAIMER – Although I received the POM Wonderful Cranberry Pomegranate juice for free for free, I did not receive any monetary compensation for using it. My thoughts and feelings on it are entirely my own.
034

You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
blog_share_subscribe
Share →

102 Responses to Jelly Donut Muffins with a Ginger Pomegranate Cranberry Sauce Filling

  1. Tasha says:

    The ginger pomegranate cranberry filling sounds absolutely wonderful! While I’d pass on a real donut, I’d happily eat one (or four) of these muffins!

  2. Christy says:

    Oh, these look amazing – yep, my thighs are quivering! I am drooling! You aren’t running in the marathon?? Here I thought your recent 10 mile runs were warm ups!

  3. girlichef says:

    Quivering thighs are a favorite of mine…nom!!

  4. Victoria says:

    Hope you enjoy watching the marathon! These look delicious! I love donuts too but don’t really eat them often either 🙂 These are great donuts in disguise, haha.

  5. Amy says:

    I get it. I totally get it. About the marathon running…and of course the donuts. I am not training for such a thing – 31 miles makes me quiver in a different way, but we watched my sister complete her 1/2 marathon a few weeks ago. Seeing her cross the finish line was amazing. I totally cried. She has since worked her way up to 18 miles and I am so excited for her.

    The donuts. Well that’s a whole different story. My favorite is Old Fashioned Glazed. And I haven’t had one in eons. Actually the last time I had anything resembling a donut was when I made the mini donut muffins, which were heaven sent. These look just as great. (Cranberries + pomegranate juice just happen to be my post for Tuesday. You and I are like *this*)

    I also do not own a deep fryer. Thank goodness. That would be beyond dangerous.

  6. Kim says:

    I’ve never run a marathon before, but I can definitely imagine how exhilarating it would be. Very euphoric. It sure will be fun to watch all the action from your apartment.

    These donut muffins look amazing. The best part would be breaking them open and seeing that glorious cranberry color. A little tart, a little sweet, a little spicy from the ginger. Perfect breakfast food.

  7. Chris says:

    You know what? When I was reading about today’s race yesterday, I actually thought about you and wondered if you were attending. I hope you are having fun right now!

  8. Raina says:

    You are so lucky to be able to see the runners running by in marathon. You must want to go out and run alongside them. I bet you will some day.

    Your muffins sound wonderful. We also had a donut shop in the next town over that made the most amazing jelly donuts. To this day, I have never had one as good:)

  9. I didn’t know today was Marathon Sunday…I just thought it was the day I get to sleep in an hour. However, this strikes me as brilliant planning on the part of the marathon committee–an extra hour of rest before you pay tribute to an ancient Greek man who /died/ doing what you’re about to couldn’t hurt.

    And the donut/muffins look deeelicious. But I’m not a fan of pomegranate (ducks to avoid spit balls thrown by appalled bloggers) so I’m thinking orange-cranberry filling instead, with a little orange juice glaze. Nummy.

  10. Mo 'Betta says:

    um…YUM!! These sound awesome! Fried food is evil, but I can totally get on board with the donut muffin. Had planned on making cinnamon-sugar donut muffins this morning but got sucked into blogger issues 😛 And marathons…well, the IDEA of running a marathon excites me. The actual running of the marathon…not so much. My next race is supposed to be an 8K and I’m not even prepared for that!

  11. The filling of your doughnuts sounds amazing! I love ginger and can only regret that POM is not available here…

  12. Catherine says:

    Hello Joanne! These muffins look absolutely lovely! Very delish!
    I am tagging you for Eight questions for Eight bloggers!
    Cheers~

  13. I get excited every time i hear the word MArathon, coz ,i can now dance with glee and say , yay, the star runner ,there, see over there, quick ,she’s my buddy Jo and a sweety one at that!!
    🙂
    I love donut muffins too and will only try the other ones when i have a deep fryer too!
    These look absolutely delish and loveee the jelly!!
    Fantastic combis too!

  14. Shannon says:

    Incredible.

    I’ll be over with coffee.

  15. Nutmeg Nanny says:

    These look amazing! I love the cranberry ginger sauce….yum!

    While I’m not a runner I did watch the race today…as I shoveling french fries down my gullet at the diner…

  16. Swathi says:

    Ginger Pom cranberry sauce looks delicious. I need to try that donut muffins. I love your enthusiasm towards Marathon.

  17. Nicole, RD says:

    Those look amazing! I love jelly donuts too! …and that’s probably the #1 reason why I don’t own a deep fryer. That and they stink and aren’t good for you 🙂

    I saw your comment on Mari’s blog about getting to watch the runners this morning. Incredibly jealous! But I get that same overwhelming, emotion of excitement, pride, and admiration for marathons and marathoners. Oh shit, now I’m crying! 🙂

  18. The thought of a marathon makes me want to cry and makes my legs hurt just thinking about it… but I’m not a runner 🙂 The donuts sound amazing, and I’m embarrassed to admit I enjoy the Dunk and devoted the better part of my Boston post to the sinful chain. BUT… I’ve never made my own, nor even thought to try them in muffin form since I also do not possess a deep fryer. They look amazing 🙂

  19. Katerina says:

    Last Sunday we had the Greek Marathon in honor of Pheidippides who ran for 40km., 2,500 years before today, to announce the victory of Greeks against the Persians. It was such a beautiful day and from what I heard some 22,000 people took part. By the way your muffins are looking very fluffy and tasty.

  20. No marathon runner am I. I am a donut eater extraordinaire from Donut Planet (yes, it’s a must stop when in the big A) to those I attempt at home. I’ll definitely be adding this to both my recipe file and my thighs!

    Best,
    Bonnie

  21. Julie says:

    it was so much fun to watch the race this morning! one of my besties is running in it and i’m loving tracking her 🙂 she just ran chicago too and she’s a friggn beast! i would like to be at the finish line for when YOU run the marathon next year and i’ll hand you a jelly doughnut 🙂

  22. Love the cranberry filling in the muffins…I bet they are great with a couple of cups of black coffee in morning!

  23. teresa says:

    there was a 10k across the ben franklin bridge today. i was in it, but just in the walkers category. it was still a ton of fun though, races are such a rush!

  24. teresa says:

    i got distracted, the muffins look awesome too! i love muffins that resemble donuts, it’s best of both worlds!

  25. Natalie says:

    …and now I know how I’ll use the rest of my POM juice in my fridge! AWESOME!

  26. Faith says:

    Oh my…can I just say that you made all my jelly donut dreams come true?! I’m definitely picking up another bag of cranberries this week! 😉

  27. Those are extreeeemely tempting muffins!

  28. Louanne says:

    Oh my goodness, how can a donut be better? With cranberries, of course! These are scrumptious, Joanne.

  29. Rachel says:

    So that’s what’s going on! I just pulled into the 79th st. boat basin and came ashore to find internet. I noticed people in running clothes with banners wrapped around them…must be marathon runners!
    Boy I’d sure love one (or two or 2 dozen) of these muffins if I’d just run a marathon! Yum!

  30. Julie says:

    I have so much respect for runners!! It would be amazing to see.

    These look sooooo delicious. It’s recipes like this that make me know I should be a runner 🙂

    I didn’t know POM was making a cranberry POM juice.

  31. Marathon Sunday is one of the most important days of the year. And not just because I was running — I have always relished the thrill of watching the runners of all speeds turn the corner in SW CP. Or onto Fifth Avenue. It’s just awesome — epic. Thanks for the shout out and thank you even more for being at the race! You rock. 🙂

    Donuts. Have never been a food I liked. But I so like pastries, of most varieties. And these look deliciously pastry like — dare I say that they look and sound a bit like a sweeter, filled muffin? Methinks so.

    I hope you had a wonderful weekend (how could you not, with Marathon Sunday and these tasty creations on hand???) and that you own training is going well! Update me!

  32. Rachana says:

    These muffins look so tempting. Absolutley loved the ginger-pomegranate-cranberry filling.

  33. Shannon says:

    they always get me, too 😉 any sort of race does, though! these look like a nice friday morning treat 🙂

  34. Oh my! They do set one a-quiver! ?

  35. Mmmmmmm these look good! I prefer the cone method for filling things too. It’s less messy and I think you get more filling inside unless you have really porous cake. Marathons are for the strong and the gutsy, not for tub-tubs like me hiding behind cartons of ice cream. Ha!

  36. aipi says:

    Awesome..thats the word..I love the recipe and your pictures are truly amazing…!!

    US Masala

  37. These look perfect! My BODY is quivering!

    When we lived in NYC the marathon went past our apt too and it was so, so, so cool!

    Congrats to all the runners – a HUGE feat -now go eat a DONUT! You deserve it!

  38. Eliana says:

    I had to watch the race on TV this year cuz I was up waaay past my bedtime but I absolutely love marathon Sunday. And when I watched the winners cross the finish line I cried like a baby.

    And if I had these muffins in front of me right now, I would probably cry again.

  39. Debinhawaii says:

    Mmm…these are the breakfast (and lunch and dinner) of champions for sure. They look wonderful and they make all of me quiver. 😉

  40. gotnomilk says:

    I’m loving your pics. I must try these – right up my (nondairy) alley 🙂

  41. Not a runner, me. But I applaud those who are. A jelly muffin eater though, I am. And these are beautiful. 🙂

  42. I would come running for one of those jelly filled donut muffins, Joanne! They look so delicious and I love your filling creation. I think I’d rather have a jelly filled muffin than a deep fried donut anyway!

  43. Ameena says:

    Donuts would make me quiver, especially if someone could make a gluten-free version that didn’t taste like a cardboard.

    Jelly filled anything is pretty much a winner in my book!! Awesome recipe!

  44. hmm, i find there are other things besides marathons and yummy foods make me quiver (yeah, i went there), but donuts such as these may do the trick. maybe the ginger and fruit combination will do it… just maybe.

  45. That Girl says:

    No marathons run by my apartment, but I wish they did! I would totally cheer for the runners.

  46. OohLookBel says:

    Hehe, doughnuts make me drool, too! This is such a fabulous idea, the tang of pomegranate/creanberry would go so well with the sweet, droolworthy doughnut…

  47. Wow, a run that cuts through Manhanttan ending up at Central Park! I am not a runner but I am exhilerated by the route. Thought you were running… This donut muffin looks like a keeper.

  48. These look soo yummmmy! The jelly filling sounds outta this wrld.This is one muffin with the most amazing flavors combos I have seen..ginger, pomegranate & cranberry….too good!

  49. Monet says:

    I wish I could have experienced some of the marathon madness first hand…so exciting! And Donuts make my thighs quiver too! Goodness, these muffins look delicious. I love the jelly jam in the middle. Talk about a wonderful seasonal surprise! Drooling! Thanks for sharing lovely, and I hope your week is full of love!

  50. Maria says:

    Wow they look so good! I’d love to try one!

  51. Alisa Cooks says:

    Marathons definitely don’t make my thighs quiver, but donuts do!

    So what makes a muffin a donut muffin? I’ve never quite understood the difference.

  52. Marisa says:

    Love the pretty pink colour of the filling!

  53. Barbara says:

    What a lovely, light looking muffin/donut! Definitely is donut season..I always think of them with cider, don’t you? Super idea to pair with cranberries!

  54. Kristen says:

    Wow! What a great treat. I may have to make some jelly donuts now.

  55. My friend ran the marathon yesterday down in NYC! For us, it’s Marathon Monday that’s a huge deal and I’ve twice lived on the marathon route. It’s a blessing and a curse – the crowds are insane!

  56. Dawn says:

    I’ve never been a huge jelly donut fan as the few I have had have been pretty gelatinous but yours simply look moist and delish and kinda make my thighs quiver too.

  57. pajamachef says:

    oh man, these look great. and i’m with you on the marathon thing 🙂

  58. I haven’t run for a long time. Guess it’s time to exercise again. Your muffins look so tempting with the filling! 😉

  59. These look delicious! I like how you inject the pomegranate cranberry sauce from the bottom. A nice curprise in the muffin.

  60. Ashlee says:

    Our minds were in tune, apparently, because I just made a giant pot of cran-pom relish for my pom party next weekend! No ginger though… but close! I’ll have to use the extra in muffins, I put it on my oatmeal this morning and omg! so good! genius idea you’ve got there 🙂

  61. elra says:

    Such a clever way making muffins by adapting the recipe from many different sources. Look at the result, beautiful, and am sure they are delicious as well.

  62. Mo Diva says:

    These look amazing!
    im craving sugar jelly donuts. These look the perfect consistency and texture!
    mmm comfort!

  63. I love your method of getting the filling in there! That sounds completely doable.

    My brother was excited about the marathon, he’s into running. He went to the Twin Cities Marathon the other week and watched them off.

  64. Reeni says:

    The only thing that could make donut muffins better is this delightful cranberry filling! I am seriously putting these on my recipe list for Christmas morning. Everyone’s thighs will quivering with joy!

  65. Sandra says:

    That’s right, it was the New York Marathon this weekend! How cool that you have a perfect seat for the event.
    I was just going to say though, that it might be the donuts that make your thighs quiver too. I know if I eat too many, they quiver!

  66. Oh the quivering thighs . . . I know a little too much about those, especially since I started working in an office in a very sit-down environment. I’m trying to rectify the situation by doing squats every time I reheat my coffee (which happens throughout the morning). Those donut muffins look delightful, and evil, and perfect.

  67. Marjie says:

    I dated a marathon runner in high school, but I didn’t get it. I’m glad you do, though, especially when you think up things like donut muffins!

  68. Karly says:

    Oh my. I do believe my thighs are quivering. 🙂

  69. I’ve always thought I’d like to run a marathon, but I’m convinced the training would be a full time job. They are exciting though, and so are these muffins! The cranberry, pomegranate, ginger filling sounds fantastic.

  70. Elizabeth says:

    I, too, had a German bakery in my neighborhood. Their jelly donuts were exquisite — yeasty, moist with a perfect dough-to-filling ratio. Jelly donuts from DD or KK don’t come close, and I’ve stopped trying to find them. I love the Polish version, Paczki; they’re jelly donuts traditionally made before Lent.

    Your muffin interpretation is really nice — I will try these for my Christmas Tapas party. Thank you!!

  71. claire says:

    congrats to your cousin! very exciting!

    these look amazing… not just like mm delicious- Like good enough for me to run a marathon to your kitchen for one! haha

  72. Juliana says:

    Wow Joanne, these muffins look fantastic, love the filling, so exotic…ginger, pomegranate and cranberry. The color is very pretty as well. Can I send a recipe that has been posted before for the regional recipes: Brasil?

  73. looks so sweet + comforting, both of which i could use today 🙂

    xo Alison

  74. Katy says:

    You had me at Jelly Donut…

  75. tigerfish says:

    Oh yes indeed. The marathon was indeed like a national holiday since everyone is talking about it! 😀 …you are creative with the filling for the donut!

  76. Pam says:

    Cool that they run by your apartment! That’s a lot of runners like the Chicago marathon my DIL loves to run in. These donut muffins definitely make me quiver. They look delicious!

  77. Stella says:

    My thighs are quivering too, although it could just be b/c I need to work out more;-) I wish I had the stamina or maybe I should say will to run regularly. I have bad knees, so it’s kind of a no no sport for me. I know the feeling you described though, and I’m glad you feel it-that’s nice…
    Oh, and these muffins are delicious looking. I can see the texture. Yum!

  78. Indie.Tea says:

    My thighs would quiver too – in fear of running that much.
    On another note, the muffins sound seriously delicious – the combination of pomegranate, cranberry, and ginger is so unique but I bet they go together really well.

  79. i don’t do marathons…but my thighs surely quivered at the sight of the jelly muffins 😀

  80. those muffins look deliciously indulgent!!! And since the only thing for which I would run WOULD be a donut…what an appropriate post!

  81. Hannah says:

    Talk about perfect- I have both cranberries and POM juice in the fridge waiting for some greater culinary purpose. I think I just found it here!

  82. Karen says:

    Wow! These look amazing. Quiver-worthy for sure! The ginger-pom-cranberry sauce sounds delicious…a fun twist on a standard jelly filling.

  83. Ann says:

    I love jelly donuts and I love muffins.These look amazing!

  84. Judy says:

    Love these muffins. I am a total jelly doughnut freak.

  85. Claudia says:

    Joanne, I like how you’re watching the marathon, and eating jelly muffins. My kind of girl! We need correct priorities.

  86. stephen says:

    Jelly muffins??? Just curious.. I would love to try this one!!!

  87. Vivienne says:

    i can’t imagine what cranberry and ginger would taste like…but i imagine must be…divine!
    i feel like baking right now…but it’s a bit late and i think my roommate would think i am not in the right frame of mind. 😉

  88. Between you and I we are having waaaaayyyyy too much fun baking up a storm this holiday season. These muffins are flippin genius girl. Thank you for giving us a somewhat “lighter” jelly doughnut. I too used to LOVE marathon day in NYC 🙂 xo

  89. Wow I’ve heard of this awesome idea of doughnut muffins but this filling sounds extra fantastic. Love love love!

  90. You’ve just listed some of my favorite things in the world. Pomegranate, Ginger, Muffin, Donut… my mind has been officially blown.

    Love how it looks like the muffin has been kissed by the filling… reminds me of the lipstick mark my grandma leaves behind when she kisses my cheek.

  91. Deborah says:

    You are seriously a genius. These muffins look amazing!!

  92. Beth says:

    Donuts!!! They are such a guilty pleasure of mine but I have pretty high standards. Dunkin just won’t do. My legs were quivering on Sunday as well – it’s just so inspirational to watch the runners along 1st Ave! I know the feeling!

  93. Jess says:

    Gah, I’ve been wanting to make jam donut muffins/cupcakes for so long but I just haven’t gotten around to it. I have a beautiful book of the most amazingly photographed cupcakes and recipes and the jam donut ones have been calling to me ever since I first laid eyes on them, yet… I’m just that slack. But these muffins of yours have enthused me all over again, especially with the inclusion of ginger. Ginger! I’ve neglected it for so long, but just recently I’ve started putting it in pretty much everything. So lovely.

  94. Meesh says:

    this is such a great idea! i love it love it i love it!

  95. stephen says:

    I love the taste of ginger and this muffin looks good inside and out. hope It taste good but I know you will. . lol good luck on your challenges=)

  96. Theresa says:

    Cranberry filled donut muffins? Why didn’t I think of this? These sound positively delish!

  97. theUngourmet says:

    You almost have me wishing that running made my thighs quiver. I love the way these muffins turned out! I love that pop of color inside!

  98. grace says:

    i don’t think my thighs have ever quivered perse, but my knees do buckle. donuts almost always cause that reaction, especially filled ones–i love these innards!

  99. david says:

    I tried preparing it and it was delicious. Great post. Keep it up

  100. Deeba PAB says:

    My thighs quiver at the thought of these delicious donut muffins…absolutely bursting with good flavour! Thank you for bringing these delicious bites to the Mingle! Love them!!

  101. […] Jelly Donut Muffins with a Ginger Pomegranate Cranberry Sauce Filling […]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *