breakfast

Bready or Not Original: Irish Coffee Creamer Chocolate Mini Muffins

Posted by on Mar 11, 2026 in Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, cake mix, chocolate, muffin | 0 comments

Lo, many years ago, I featured a recipe called Baileys Irish Coffee Creamer Chocolate Mini Muffins here on Bready or Not. As I had a big container of Irish creamer to finish up, I redid the recipe, changing up some details and adding a glaze.

Bready or Not Original: Irish Coffee Creamer Chocolate Mini Muffins

Really, I think the glaze makes it. The Irish coffee creamer adds such a great flavor to chocolate!

Bready or Not Original: Irish Coffee Creamer Chocolate Mini Muffins

I used a basic box of devil’s food cake mix from Aldi. Whatever brand you get, acquire a 15.25-ounce box, not the larger one.

Bready or Not Original: Irish Coffee Creamer Chocolate Mini Muffins

Bready or Not Original: Irish Coffee Creamer Chocolate Mini Muffins

This shortcut recipe uses chocolate cake mix to churn out about 70 brownie-like mini muffins.
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Keyword: cake mix, chocolate, irish coffee creamer, mini muffin
Servings: 77 mini muffins
Author: Beth Cato

Equipment

  • nonstick spray
  • small cookie scoop
  • mini muffin pan(s)

Ingredients

Mini muffins

  • 15.25 oz chocolate cake mix box such as devil’s food
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup nonalcoholic Irish coffee creamer
  • 1 cup semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips

Glaze

  • 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 4-5 Tablespoons Irish coffee creamer
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Prep mini muffin pans(s) by applying a heavy coating of nonstick spray in the wells. Note that the recipe makes about 70 mini muffins, so having multiple pans will speed up the process. Preheat the oven at 350 degrees.
  • In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, eggs, oil, and Irish coffee creamer. Once there are no clumps, add the chocolate chips. Batter will be a little runny.
  • Use a teaspoon scoop to fill the wells about 2/3 full. Do NOT fill to top, as they will grow during baking.
  • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the tops are springy and the innermost muffins pass the toothpick test. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Use a fork to pry them out and onto a rack to cool. If some chocolate chips stick to the pan, try to pop them back into the muffins… or just eat them.
  • If you’re reusing the pan to do another batch, use a paper towel to swipe out the wells before adding fresh nonstick spray. Refill with batter and continue.
  • Once the muffins are cooled, place them close together in rows on parchment paper.
  • Mix the glaze ingredients to form a thick glaze. Either drizzle lines across the muffins or add a small spoon onto each. Let set an hour or so until glaze is firm.
  • Store in a sealed container in the fridge or at room temperature.

OM NOM NOM!

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    Bready or Not Original: Honey Nut Apple Bars

    Posted by on Jan 14, 2026 in apples, Blog, blondies, Bready or Not, breakfast, nutty | 0 comments

    Most apple bars have, well, apples in them, the fresh sort. This Honey Nut Apple Bar recipe is different. It uses a small amount of apple butter or applesauce, and that little but goes a long way.

    Bready or Not Original: Honey Nut Apple Bars

    These bars are imbued with apple flavor, spice, and honey sweetness, all of which perfectly complement the crunchy walnuts throughout.

    Bready or Not Original: Honey Nut Apple Bars

    This is a bar that’d be great for breakfast, brunch, or dessert!

    Bready or Not Original: Honey Nut Apple Bars

    Bready or Not Original: Honey Nut Apple Bars

    These bars are delicious and unique, not standard apple bars at all!
    Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
    Keyword: apple butter, applesauce, bars, walnuts
    Author: Beth Cato

    Equipment

    • 13×9 pan
    • aluminum foil
    • nonstick spray

    Ingredients

    Bars

    • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
    • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
    • 1/2 cup white sugar
    • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    • 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
    • 1/3 cup canola oil
    • 1 large egg room temperature
    • 1/4 cup apple butter or applesauce
    • 1/4 cup runny honey
    • 1 cup chopped walnuts

    Icing

    • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
    • 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 Tablespoon water
    • 2 Tablespoons runny honey

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Line a 13×9 pan with foil. Add nonstick spray or grease with butter.
    • In a bowl, combine both flours, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
    • In a mixing bowl, beat together the oil, egg, apple butter, and honey. Gradually mix in the dry ingredients, scraping the bottom of the bowl. Fold in the walnuts.
    • Spread batter in pan. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the middle passes the toothpick test. Immediately make the icing. Spread over the bars; it may look lumpy at first, but the heat will smooth it out as it is evened.
    • Cool bars completely, speeding the process in the fridge if desired. Use foil to lift bars onto cutting board to slice up; place waxed paper between stacked layers. Store in a sealed container in the fridge.

    OM NOM NOM!

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      Bready or Not: Brown Sugar Bundt Cake

      Posted by on Dec 31, 2025 in Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, bundt, cake | 0 comments

      It’s New Year’s Eve. This year was… something, wasn’t it? Yeah. Something. But now it is almost over, and let’s celebrate with some cake! How about this Brown Sugar Bundt Cake?

      Bready or Not: Brown Sugar Bundt Cake

      The high amount of brown sugar creates magic. The bake results in a crisp, caramelized exterior, while the crumb is soft and sweet and moist.

      Bready or Not: Brown Sugar Bundt Cake

      This cake is fantastic all by itself, but you could also add whipped cream, ice cream, fruit, all kinds of things. It’ll serve as a breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

      Bready or Not: Brown Sugar Bundt Cake

      Modified from the King Arthur Flour Catalog, May 2017.

      Bready or Not: Brown Sugar Bundt Cake

      Sour cream is the not-so-secret ingredient to make this cake lush and moist like a pound cake, in bundt cake form!
      Course: Breakfast, Dessert
      Keyword: bundt cake
      Author: Beth Cato

      Equipment

      • bundt pan
      • nonstick spray

      Ingredients

      • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) room temperature
      • 1 cup brown sugar packed
      • 1/2 cup white sugar
      • 2 large eggs room temperature
      • 2 cups all-purpose flour
      • 1 teaspoon baking powder
      • 1 teaspoon salt
      • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
      • 1 cup sour cream
      • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
      • confectioners sugar to dust

      Instructions

      • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Fully grease a large bundt pan with nonstick spray.
      • In a large bowl, beat butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time.
      • In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.
      • Gradually mix in about half of the dry ingredients into the wet. Add the sour cream and vanilla, scraping the bottom of the bowl to incorporate. Mix in the rest of the dry ingredients.
      • Pour batter into the bundt pan and level out. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes; the middle should pass the toothpick test. Let cool for about 15 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to completely cool.
      • Before slicing and serving, dust with confectioners’ sugar. Store covered at room temperature. Slices can also be individually wrapped and frozen for later.

      OM NOM NOM!

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        Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin-Chocolate-Apple Butter Bundt Cake

        Posted by on Nov 5, 2025 in apples, Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, bundt, cake, chocolate, pumpkin | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin-Chocolate-Apple Butter Bundt Cake

        There’s something especially cozy and right about a pumpkin and spice bundt cake in the autumn. This Pumpkin-Chocolate-Apple Butter Bundt Cake hits all those notes perfectly… and that took some effort on my part, as I actually had two fail-cakes in the process of developing this recipe.

        Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin-Chocolate-Apple Butter Bundt Cake

        This isn’t a heavily sweet cake. There is no dense glaze. This cake is really all about pumpkin and spice, with the chocolate and apple butter beautifully complementary.

        Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin-Chocolate-Apple Butter Bundt Cake

        This is the kind of cake that functions well for breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

        Bready or Not Original: Pumpkin-Chocolate-Apple Butter Bundt Cake

        This luscious cake is moistened by a combination of pumpkin puree and apple butter. It’s simple and perfect.
        Author: Beth Cato

        Equipment

        • 10-cup bundt pan

        Ingredients

        • 3 cups all-purpose flour
        • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
        • 1 1/2 Tablespoons pumpkin spice
        • 2 teaspoons baking powder
        • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
        • 1/4 teaspoon salt
        • 2 cups white sugar
        • 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened
        • 1/3 cup apple butter
        • 3 large eggs room temperature
        • 15 ounces pumpkin puree
        • 1/2 cup half & half or milk
        • confectioners’ sugar to dust top

        Instructions

        • Preheat oven at 350 degrees. Generously apply nonstick spray to a 10-cup bundt pan.
        • Combine the flour, cocoa powder, pumpkin spice, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
        • In a large mixing bowl, beat together sugar, butter, apple butter, and eggs until no eggy streaks remain. Add pumpkin puree and half & half. Fold in the dry ingredients, scraping bottom of bowl to incorporate everything.
        • Pour batter into pan and smooth out the top. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes; the middle of the cake should pass the toothpick test.
        • Let cool for 15 minutes. Carefully invert cake onto cooling rack to cool completely.
        • Add sprinkling of confectioners’ sugar over the top. Slice and serve. Cake can also be sliced, wrapped, and frozen for later enjoyment.

        OM NOM NOM!

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          Bready or Not Original: Leftover Cranberry Sauce Bundt Cake

          Posted by on Oct 29, 2025 in Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, bundt, cake | Comments Off on Bready or Not Original: Leftover Cranberry Sauce Bundt Cake

          I’m sharing this recipe today to help folks out there be prepared for an awesome way to use up leftover cranberry sauce from the holidays: use it to fill this Leftover Cranberry Sauce Bundt Cake.

          Bready or Not Original: Leftover Cranberry Sauce Bundt Cake

          And if you don’t have cranberry sauce–or the full amount this recipe calls for? Use a thick fruit jelly, jam, or preserve.

          Bready or Not Original: Leftover Cranberry Sauce Bundt Cake

          The texture of this is like a pound cake, moist and soft. It’s perfect for a breakfast, brunch, or dessert.

          Bready or Not Original: Leftover Cranberry Sauce Bundt Cake

          The perfect post-holiday breakfast, brunch, or dessert! This easy and delicious bundt cake can use up cranberry sauce, or use a fruity jam instead.
          Course: Breakfast, Dessert
          Keyword: bundt cake, cranberries
          Author: Beth Cato

          Equipment

          • 10 cup bundt pan

          Ingredients

          Cake

          • 1 cup leftover cranberry sauce or thick fruit jelly, jam, or preserve
          • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
          • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
          • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
          • 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) softened
          • 1 3/4 cups white sugar
          • 3 large eggs room temperature
          • 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
          • 1 cup sour cream or plain or vanilla Greek yogurt

          Glaze

          • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
          • 3 Tablespoons milk or heavy cream
          • 1/2 teaspoon clear vanilla extract

          Instructions

          Make bundt cake

          • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 10-cup Bundt pan.
          • If the cranberry sauce or other filling is cold from the fridge, zap slightly in microwave to bring to room temperature and loosen.
          • In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
          • Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla. Alternate mixing in the flour mixture and sour cream.
          • Spoon about half the batter into the pan. Use a spoon to create a deep trench in the batter going all the way around the pan. Spoon in the cranberry sauce to fill the trench, taking care that it doesn’t touch the sides of the pan; if it touches, it may stick and make cake removal trickier.
          • Pour the remaining batter over the top. Smooth out.
          • Bake for 55 minutes to 1 hour 5 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove from the oven and cool for 15 minutes inside the pan. Invert the cake onto a wire rack. Cool cake completely.

          Make glaze

          • In a bowl, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, milk, and vanilla. Add more sugar or milk as needed to form a thick texture. Drizzle over the cake. Let set 30 minutes before cutting.
          • Cake can be stored under a dome at room temperature. It can also be sliced and individually wrapped to freeze.

          OM NOM NOM!

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            Bready or Not: Apple Galettes for Two

            Posted by on Oct 15, 2025 in apples, Blog, Bready or Not, breakfast, maple, pie | Comments Off on Bready or Not: Apple Galettes for Two

            This recipe for Apple Galettes for Two is perfect for a special occasion breakfast or brunch, especially if the dough is prepared a day or two ahead of time!

            Bready or Not: Apples Galettes for Two

            Apple is used two ways to fill these tarts: it is thinly sliced, and also minced or grated. Apple infuses every bite in the best kind of way.

            Bready or Not: Apples Galettes for Two

            The directions are long but the actual procedure isn’t complex. The result, however, is rustic and beautiful, and tastes as good as it looks!

            Modified from Tiny Apple Tarts for Two at King Arthur Flour.

            Bready or Not: Apple Galettes for Two

            This recipe for Apples Galettes for Two is perfect for a special occasion breakfast or brunch, especially if the dough is prepared a day or two ahead of time!
            Course: Breakfast, Dessert
            Keyword: apple, maple, pie
            Author: Beth Cato

            Equipment

            • food scale
            • plastic wrap
            • parchment paper
            • pastry brush

            Ingredients

            Dough

            • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
            • 1/8 teaspoon table salt
            • 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter cold
            • 1 to 2 Tablespoons ice water

            Filling

            • 1 medium firm baking apple or two small apples such as Cosmic Crisp, Pink Lady, or Honeycrisp (200g to 220g)
            • 1 teaspoon lemon juice divided
            • 2 Tablespoons white sugar divided
            • 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
            • 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin spice
            • pinch table salt

            Topping

            • 1 large egg
            • 1 Tablespoon half & half or milk or water
            • 1 Tablespoon maple sugar or turbinado sugar
            • jarred caramel optional

            Instructions

            Make the dough

            • Stir together the flour and salt. Use a knife to dice up butter. Use a fork and fingers to break the butter down to small pieces, coated in flour.
            • Add 1 Tablespoon of the water and stir in. Add tiny increments, mixing between each addition, just until the dough can form clumps when pressed. Form into a cohesive ball.
            • Place down two long pieces of plastic wrap. Use the food scale to divide dough in half. Compress each lump into a small disk. Encase each in plastic wrap and chill until firm, for at least 30 minutes or as long as a day or two.

            Make filling

            • Begin by preparing the apple or apples. Peel, core, and halve. Cut one half into thin slices. Transfer these slices to a bowl and toss with 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 tablespoon sugar.
            • Reduce the other half of the apple(s) to small pieces by either finely dicing or grating on the large holes of a box grater. Place pieces in bowl. Toss with other 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 Tablespoon sugar. Stir in the flour, pumpkin spice, and salt.
            • On a lightly-floured piece of parchment, roll each chilled dough disk into a rounds about 6-inches in diameter. Divide the diced/grated apple mixture between the rounds; this will be about 1/4 cup in each. Spread out apple bits to form even layers in the center, leaving a 1-inch ring of bare dough around the edge.
            • Arrange apple slices on top of the grated apple, overlapping in circles.
            • Cut 1-inch slits in dough edge, each about 2-inches apart. Fold flaps in toward center, overlapping them. Press lightly to seal.
            • Use the parchment to move galettes onto a baking sheet. Chill uncovered for 30 minutes to an hour.
            • Start preheating oven at 425.

            Add topping

            • Crack egg into small bowl. Lightly beat in half & half, milk, or water. Use a pastry brush to coat the folded-over dough crust on each galette. Sprinkle the maple or turbinado sugar over the crust.
            • Bake the apple tarts for about 20 to 25 minutes. If desired, drizzle caramel over the apple center of each galette. Place back in oven to bake another 5 minutes. Apple slices in center will be fork-tender when the tarts are done.
            • Remove from oven. Let cool for 10 minutes, then serve.

            OM NOM NOM!

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