Chocolate Chip Eggnog Muffins

What kind of Christmas traditions do you share with your family?

 Our traditions kick off right after the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade & the dog show when they play Miracle on 34th Street. To me, it's the perfect transition from Thanksgiving into Christmas. (I don't really know if my family agrees with that or not, but they at least tolerate it every. single. year.) Not to mention, it's a classic!

The next movie on my list to watch is The Christmas Card. If you have not seen this movie stop what you're doing and go watch it. Now. I love White Christmas and Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol too, but I can't seem to get enough of The Christmas Card! As in, IwatchitatleasttentimesfromThanksgivingtoEpiphanyanddrivemyfamilyupthewall. And yet, they still love me. Bless them! 

Pandora is constantly running (by definition, "constantly" in our house means whenever you are either alone, or there is only one other person in the room with you.) with Christmas music - from instrumental to vocal. And I continue on with my crazy obsession with scented candles. Only this time it's Apple Cider, Cranberry, and Gingerbread. 

Hello Christmastime, it's nice to see you again. :) Now if only this darn bipolar weather would cooperate! 

Happy eating,

~HB~

P.S. You thought I forgot about the Eggnog Muffins, didn't you? Never fear! Here it is:

Chocolate Chip Eggnog Muffins

2 C. Flour (or Gluten-Free Baking Blend)

1 tsp. Nutmeg

1 tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. Salt

1-1/2 sticks Butter, melted
2/3 C. Sugar
2 Eggs
1 tsp. Vanilla
1/3 C. Eggnog
3/4 C. Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips (but if you want - the darker, the better. Plus, it's more antioxidants, so you can feel better about eating one! Or two.)

Glaze:
1/2 - 3/4 C. Powdered Sugar
4-6 T. Eggnog (I ended up needing a bit more, just use your judgement)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin tin with liners or lightly grease. 
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt; set aside. 

In a large mixer bowl, combine the melted butter and sugar; mix together until well blended. 

Beat in the eggs and vanilla.

Slowly add one-third of the flour, followed by 1/3 of the eggnog. Repeat until everything is incorporated. 

Fold in chocolate chips.

Divide dough among muffin tin and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

Let cool completely in pan.

Make glaze by whisking the eggnog together with the powdered sugar until it's at a slightly "soupy" consistency. Spoon glaze over each muffin, covering completely. 

Let dry slightly and dig in!