Cake Batter Monkey Bread Muffins

Usually, when I’m out and about or shopping, I’ll be friendly and say hello to people.

Sometimes, I’ll even go as far as to ask them how their day is going. And people are typically normal with typical normal answers, so it’s good. And when people ask me, I usually respond with a generic “I’m good, and glad the weather’s nice!” or something and we go on with our lives and so forth.

But sometimes, when they ask more detailed questions, I’ll give more detailed answers. Or sometimes, my simply “the weather’s nice!” comment will send their brains the message to proceed in yapping my ear off about how their great-aunt lives in Kentucky and they’re glad it isn’t raining anymore because they HATE thunderstorms and they scare their little brother who “almost busted his ear drum” from the loud boom of a thunder clap while in Kentucky. AhemOldNavyemployee.

And I don’t really know how to react because I just made a simple comment and really just want to check out the clearance flats but I suddenly have an intense urge to leave RIGHTTHISSECOND and can’t very easily say “that’s too bad; well, have a nice day!” because even that will provoke them to launch into some sob story about how his Uncle Charlie has nightmares because of nice days and blahblahblah.

So after (rudely, I know) walking away abruptly after this strange man told me his life story about his Kentuckian roots to feign sudden interest in workout clothes (and believe me, it was feigned interest since I have noo interest in working out and would rather write that strange man’s autobiography than do jumping jacks), it suddenly dawned on me:

What if I am also the culprit of “cool story, bro”-isms with random strangers/employees/people?

What if, on those times where additional commentary is necessary, I am the only one who thinks so? And I am subjecting the cashier/person behind me in line/classmate to my stupid, unnecessary ramblings?! And what if they’re thinking, gee, I wish I was in the middle of an unaesthetized root canal rather than listening to this freaky chick talk about the sunny weather and her stupid life.

I mean… not that I thought about the Old Navy guy or anything. Not long, anyway.

So I realized that, in that moment, I’d promise to keep things short and sweet with everyone until it’s been A) made VERY clear they’re interested; or B) they explicitly ask my life story before I launch into it mid-check-out and she’s scanning eggs.

Makes life easier and less complicated, no?

Ironically, these Cake Batter Monkey Bread Muffins also make life easier and less complicated. Because have you made monkey bread from scratch? Yeast and rising and dough rolling and baking and blah blah… no thanks. Not my jam.

Wanna know what is my jam? Cake batter. It makes everything better. And canned biscuits. They’re for the modern age.

So put two and two together and you have AHMAAZZZING. And when they’re warm? Don’t even get me started.

Cake Batter Monkey Bread Muffins *inspired by this recipe at Pillsbury

1 can jumbo refrigerated biscuits (not the flaky kind)
1 cup Funfetti cake mix (just the mix)
3 Tbsp brown sugar
1/2 stick butter, melted
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup vanilla icing
Sprinkles

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Liberally grease 8 cavities in a muffin pan and set aside. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a small bowl and add the vanilla; mix well and set aside.
2. In another small bowl, combine the cake mix and brown sugar. On a cutting board, separate each biscuit and cut into four pieces.
3. Working four pieces at a time, dip four pieces in the butter/vanilla mixture, coating completely. Using a fork, remove from the butter mixture and coat thoroughly in the cake mix mixture. Place four coated pieces into each muffin tin. Repeat until all eight tins are full.
4. Bake for approx. 12-15 minutes or until lightly golden and centers appear set. Do not overbake. Allow to cool slightly in the pan, about five minutes, before gently removing them with a butter knife (just run the knife along the edge of the cavity to gently pop them out).
5. Place a dollop of frosting on the tops of the still-warm muffins and sprinkle with rainbow jimmies. Or, if you prefer, zap the frosting for about 10 seconds until softened, then drizzle it on. These are best served warm, but can be reheated in the microwave for about 10-20 seconds and served within one day.

These have a sweet, subtle cake batter flavor and a nice crunchy texture on the outside, but a soft, fluffy, donut-esque texture on the inside. And basically, they’re my new BFF. You guys should introduce yourselves.

Have a wonderful Tuesday!

xo, Hayley

May be linked to:  Trick or Treat Tuesdays, Crazy Sweet Tuesdays, Cast Party Wednesday,Dwell On Friday, Mrs. Fox’s Sweet Party, Sweet Treats Thursdays, Tuesday Talent Show, Sweet Tooth Friday, Sweets for a Saturday, Strut Your Stuff Saturday