Corn Cake Muffins

These muffins are part of my ‘cheater’ repertoire.  This title refers to any recipe I make that includes some kind of convenience item, like a cake mix.  As you know, I usually bake from scratch but sometimes, the ease of these cheater recipes is exactly what I need and am looking for.  I mean, lets face it!  No matter how much I may want to, spending several hours to make a meal is not always an option.  Especially after baby number three is set to arrive in just a few short weeks!  If the recipe happens to be particularly scrumptious I keep it around for another day.  These muffins are one of those special gems.

Several years ago I ended up with a tiny little Jiffy pamphlet cookbook.  I don’t remember if I ordered it free online or if it was sent as a promotional thing or how I even ended up with it.  But my recipe for Corn Casserole that I had been making for forever had introduced me to the cute little boxes of cornbread mix and all its possibilities.  Little did I know that the Jiffy company had a huge line of different kinds of mixes, all of them used in various ways in this little book.  And while I never warmed up to using mixes on a regular basis, there is one recipe from them that I do love to make.  I tried these muffins and kind of fell in love.  They taste exactly like their name: Corn Cake.  Half cake and half cornbread makes for the perfect balance between muffin and cupcake.  I made a double batch of these once for a  huge BBQ we were having and-Let. Me. Tell. You!  They were inhaled!  I think they kind of reminded people of the sweet corn muffins you get at a certain BBQ restaurant that serves its food on trash can lids.  Now I am not saying these are exactly like those, but I will say that they go fantastic with anything grilled, covered in sauce, or just spicy.  Mmmm.  They also happen to be great for brunch.  Add a little whipped honey butter and forgetaboutit!  Drool worthy.  Bake them in a mini-muffin tin and they will go even farther to feed a group (although this makes it easier to snitch).  And since the ingredient list is short, as is the time it takes to throw them together, they truly are a valuable little recipe to have in your kitchen arsenal!
Corn Cake Muffins

1 pkg Jiffy corn muffin mix
1 pkg Jiffy Yellow or White cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 c milk
1/2 c water

Combine all ingredients just until blended.  Pour into greased or paper lined muffin cups.  Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until just lightly browned.