Pudding Muffins *Create Your Own Flavor*

It's been a little muffin cRazY around here lately. I had an idea for a *create your own muffin* recipe. I like having choices and playing with my food. With this muffin recipe, I did both! I got a little carried away trying different flavor combinations. My family didn't seem to mind since almost as soon as I baked these muffins, they were gone! But, by the fifth batch my husband did ask me to stop making muffins. :) So, I just made one more batch and now I'm done...I think.

I'm writing down the basic muffin recipe, then you get to choose and create your own flavor. First, choose an instant pudding flavor, second choose a flavoring (extract) and third, choose a mix-in like chocolate chips, blueberries, raisins, craisins, other dried fruits, chopped nuts, peanut butter chips, and on and on....
Finally, ta-da! You've created your own muffin. Fun, right?! After the basic recipe, you can check out some of the muffins I've made so far.

Recipe Link 
Basic Pudding Muffin Recipe
Ingredients
3 cups flour
1 cup granulated sugar
2 Tablespoons baking powder
1 (3.4 oz.) package instant flavored pudding mix
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/4 cups milk
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon flavored extract (vanilla, lemon, rum, strawberry, etc...)
1 to 2 cups of your favorite mix-ins (chocolate chips, blueberries, chopped nuts, raisins, dried fruit, etc...)
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Grease muffin pans or prepare with paper liners.
2. In large bowl combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and dry pudding mix (dry ingredients).
3. In a separate bowl whisk together the eggs, milk, oil and extract (wet ingredients).
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the large bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir until moistened---do not overmix! Stir in your mix-ins (chocolate chips, nuts, etc...)
5. Divide batter evenly into 24 standard muffin cups (about 2/3 full) or 48 mini muffin cups. Bake about 20 minutes for standard muffins or 10-15 minutes for mini muffins. When done, remove muffins from pans and let cool on cooling rack. Store in airtight container. 
Makes 24 standard muffins or 48 mini muffins
Too many muffins? Place extra muffins in a freezer bag and store in the freezer. 

Inspired by this recipe for Pistachio Muffins from Hannah Help Me!

Muffins I've Made So Far...

 Chocolatey Chip Muffins

1 (3.4 oz.) package vanilla or french vanilla instant pudding mix

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups chocolate chips

(These were the kids favorite muffins!)

 Lemon Blueberry Muffins

1 (3.4 oz.) package lemon instant pudding mix

1/2 teaspoon lemon extract

2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

(These were my favorite muffins.)

 Double Butterscotch Muffins

1 (3.4 oz.) package butterscotch instant pudding mix

1/2 teaspoon rum extract

1 (11 oz.) bag butterscotch chips

 Strawberries and Cream Muffins

1 (3.4 oz.) package strawberry creme instant pudding mix

1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract

1 (11 oz.) bag of white chocolate chips

 

Chocolate-Peanut Butter Chip Muffins

1 (3.4 oz.) package chocolate fudge instant pudding mix

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 (10 oz.) bag of peanut butter chips

Pumpkin Pecan Mini Muffins

1 (3.4 oz.) pumpkin spice instant pudding mix (seasonal flavor)

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Pistachio Cherry Muffins

1 (3.4 oz.) package instant pistachio pudding

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

about 1 1/2 cups chopped dried cherries

The Results...

Tasty and fun! 

I didn't get too crazy with the flavor combinations, but I still have some ideas floating around in my head. How about a Pina Colada muffin using coconut cream instant pudding, coconut or rum extract with shredded coconut and chopped pineapple (drained) mixed inside? Maybe a Root Bear Float muffin using vanilla instant pudding, root beer extract and white chocolate chips? Or a Raspberry Cheesecake muffin using cheesecake instant pudding, raspberry extract with some fresh raspberries mixed in? Oh! the possibilities.

More recipes using pudding mixes...
Cool-Whip Frosting
Pudding Milkshake (no ice cream)

More muffin recipes...
Omelet Muffins
Pumpkin Banana Muffins
Sweet Hubby Corn Muffins
Applesauce Muffins