Interesting human behavior story…
Last weekend, for the first time ever, I sold jars of herbal blends at a local craft market. I wanted to talk to people, to gather ideas and see what people are interested in so I can be more useful. I sold very few jars, but I did learn from people’s reactions. I had samples of baked treats made with the three herbal blends to show diversity of use besides making tea or taking them in a pill. These mini muffins were one of the samples and I displayed them in a cake stand with a clear cover. There were only a couple of people who asked me about them and when I explained what they were, very few people even took one.
So here is the interesting behavior… In the middle of the day I left my table for a bit to get a much needed iced coffee. As I walked back through the park where the market tables were set up, I saw my table in the distance. I realized that there was a steady stream of people approaching, lifting the lid of the cake stand and taking muffins. When I got back about 75% were gone! Crazy. When no one was there, people were willing to try even though there was no label as to what they were made with, but when I was there explaining, the no thank-you’s were abundant. I’m not sure if this means that the thought of eating dried herbs baked into a muffin was unappealing or if they were just shy or worried they would not like and then be embarrassed to say so. Which ever, I hope you try for yourself. They have a few steps, none of which is hard and are deliciously different.
Although the tea blend is a mix of calming herbs, I am not sure eating in a muffin will do that, maybe a tiny bit. And would you try them if they were a sample at a craft market table? Please leave me a comment below.
Because some ingredients may be hard to find, links are provided to make buying easier. I may earn a small commission for some of the product links in this recipe. Your purchase will lend support to this website at no further cost to you. Big love and thanks for that.
| Servings | Prep Time |
| 48mini muffins | 40minutes |
| Cook Time |
| 15minutes |
|
|
- Soothing Herb Blend
- 1 tbsp dried linden flower
- 1 tbsp dried lemon balm
- 1 tbsp dried holy basil also known as tulsi
- 1/2 tbsp dried rose petals use only organic roses if drying yourself
- Herb infused honey
- 6 ounces soothing herbal tea blend
- 8 ounces honey
- For Crumb topping
- 1/4 cup organic granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup organic light brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted 1/2 stick
- 2/3 cup organic all-purpose flour
- For Muffins
- 2 1/4 cup organic all-purpose flour 281.25grams
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp lemon zest, grated
- 2/3 cup organic unsalted butter, melted
- 2/3 cup herb infused honey
- 3/4 cup organic whole milk
- Combine all dried herbs, mix to blend. Using a coffee grinder, grind to fine powder.
- Prepare a double boiler with 1 inch of water in bottom. Bring to gentle boil.
- Combine powdered herb blend and honey in top of double boiler. Stir with a wooden chopstick. Cover, Turn heat to lowest setting and gently heat for 6 hours.
- Strain honey while still warm using a strainer covered in cheesecloth set over a 1 cup glass measure. You may have slightly less than needed amount of 2/3 cup, add plain honey if needed.
- Preheat over to 375°F. Line small baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine sugars, cinnamon and salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in melted butter. Add flour and stir with a rubber spatula until just moistened.
- Spread mixture on lined baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes until dry. Break up with fork into small crumbs if needed. Cool completely before topping muffins.
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Line mini muffin pans with mini muffin liners. If you do not have mini muffin pans, these can be made as regular sized muffins.
- In large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and lemon zest.
- In medium mixing bowl, combine cooled melted butter and honey. Whisk to blend. Lightly beat eggs, then add to butter and honey mixture and whisk to blend.
- Add milk and whisk to blend well.
- Make a well in center of dry ingredients. Pour in wet ingredients and stir gently to combine only until there are no remaining dry spots. Avoid overmixing as much as possible.
- Spoon by teaspoonfuls into lined muffin pan to fill 3/4 full. Sprinkle on crumb topping to cover top as much as desired.
- Bake for 12 minutes. If using regular sized muffin pan, increase baking time to 18-20 minutes. Test with a toothpick.
- Allow to stand in pan for 10 minutes then remove to cool completely on wire racks. These freeze well packed in air-tight containers.
- Optional: dust with powdered sugar before serving
*I would be happy to send you a sample of the herbal blend to try, just send me a note at dina@theherbalbakeshoppe.com
**Using organic ingredients whenever possible will make baked goods all the more nourishing. For these muffins use organic flour, organic sugar, organic eggs, organic butter, organic milk if available.
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