I know some of y’all think I’m perfect… but that couldn’t be more from the truth (the perfect part or the part where people actually believe that junk).
Suuuuure, in person I am known to be quick on my feet, to blurt out witticisms left and right without pause. I’m actually quite eloquent like that if you don’t pay attention to the fact that I cuss like a drunken sailor.
But when it comes to being in front of a camera, I become completely and utterly useless.. like a pool of mushy, illiterate putty.
I stammer. I say “erm” and “uh” and “um”. I start adding weird fluffy words like “stuff” which makes me sound like a complete tool AND a complete amateur at the same time. And I have a tendency to make up craaaazy words out of nowhere. Not made-up words, but I’ll begin saying random things that make no sense whatsoever.
Foooooor instance, I filmed a cooking video for Kraft the other day. I had lightly rehearsed about what I wanted to say and how I was going to say it without tying myself down to repeating it verbatim. Everything was coming out well and I was sounded super professional, when suddenly I remembered I was standing in front of a recording device and I was expected to sound professional and authoritative, so I began blurting “and then simmer your stuff and it will make fantastic, gourmet drrelciious dish.”
Then when I’d watch the playback, I looked like a complete asshat. Little did I know the camera must have been subconsciously possessing the word ‘delicious’ to be the only one in my vocabulary, so my playback sounded a lot like this: “this delicious dish is so delicious, it’s full of delicious delicious flavor, delicious delicious dish dinner dish.”
And theeeeen, because my video is about a fusion dish, combining flavors from two different cuisines, I was trying to compare one cuisine to the other, Mexican, and wanted to say “this dish is a takeout favorite meets an old Mexican standby.” But instead, because I am a lame-wad, it came out like this: ‘this dish is a takeout favorite meets an old Mexican” and kept talking.
I promise my dish does not taste like an elderly Mexican person.
Anyway, approximately 23457685734 takes later, I finally managed to say something moderately literate and appropriate without sounding like a vapid cannibal. And then I wanted to eat my embarrassment (and make up for the fact that the camera seriously does add no less than 17 pounds) in muffins. But only the muffin tops, because Elaine knew what was up and no one cares about the stump.
I originally saw this idea on Jocelyn’s site–her Pumpkin Raisinet Muffin Tops looked SO good. But, not being a fan of raisins, I figured I’d sub it with something I knew my family would love–Reese’s! These muffin tops totally transported me from my sunny kitchen into a beautiful fall day in a pumpkin patch, picking apples and chasing ducks, or whatever people typically do at pumpkin patches. I am SO ready for fall!
- 1 box white cake mix
- 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin (NOT the pie filling)
- ½ cup water
- 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 cup miniature chocolate chips
- 1 can chocolate icing
- Reese's Pieces
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Liberally grease the cavities in a muffin top/whoopie pie pan and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, pumpkin, water and pumpkin pie spice until blended and soft. Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Evenly distribute the pumpkin batter among the greased cavities, smearing out the tops to fit into the tin. Bake for approx. 15-18 minutes or until springy to the touch and the centers appear set. Do not over bake. Cool completely in the pan.
- Melt the chocolate icing in the microwave for about 45 seconds or until runny. Pour it into a small bowl. Dip each muffin top into the chocolate icing, allowing excess to drip off. Place on a foil-rimmed baking sheet or a wire rack. Top with Reese's Pieces candies and allow the muffin tops to set.
- Serve! Store leftovers airtight, at room temperature, up to a week.
Wanna know something weird? (No? Too bad) For not liking pumpkin pie, I do love most other pumpkin desserts: pumpkin waffles, pumpkin cupcakes, pumpkin muffins .. and of course, these muffin tops are no exception! They’re super plush and moist, filled with all that spicy, warm pumpkin flavor. I love how instantly a couple shakes of pumpkin pie spice elevates any fall dish into something so heartwarming and comforting. And if you haven’t heard, pumpkin goes beautifully with chocolate and peanut butter! For being mellow in flavor compared to the classic choc-pb combo, the pumpkin holds its own in this recipe. It doesn’t disappear under the strong flavors of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter, but is rather enhanced by those other superstar flavors. These tops totally rule!! I’d even eat the stump 🙂
Have a delicious day!
xo, Hayley
tanya says
I’m sure you are totally exaggerating and that you did amazing! And if not, so what, it just made you more likable! I’d rather see real then perfect! BUT one thing that IS perfect, is these muffin tops! I love the Reese’s on top!
tash @ the velvet moon baker says
Yum, these look amazing. I’ve been scouting around for pumpkin ideas as I’ve actually never baked with pumpkin before. I’m thinking a pumpkin, PB, Choc combo is the way to go
Sophia @ NY Foodgasm says
WOW, I love how easy these are to make a lower in fat since you are using pumpkin in place of the fats for the cake mix, HOORAY!
Karly says
I just made a video for Kraft too, and Hayley! It was so hard! At one point I literally just stopped talking and stared at the camera. I couldn’t move, I couldn’t think, I was just done. Then, all of a sudden, I blurted out “I FROZE!” and went right back to talking. Weirdest video ever.
thedomesticrebel says
Hahaha that would be me, but with more expletives 🙂
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Glad to see pumpkin recipes here as this is my jam for the rest of the year! Can’t get enough of it! YUM!
Emily @ Life on Food says
These look so good! And very Halloween-esque. I am so happy fall is here and all things pumpkin can be enjoyed.
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry says
Everybody gets a little awkward on camera, but I’m sure once you become the next food network star, you will be a natural. These pumpkin muffin tops look amazing!
Renee @ Awesome on $20 says
I went to a pumpkin patch in Hawaii last year. It was basically just hot and sweaty, and there was no way I was getting anywhere near a hay ride. I was also a complete idiot and wore flip flops, so I was so filthy by the time we left. Thank gato there were vendors selling fresh roasted corn and cupcakes. I wish I would have had one of these babies to keep me company. I’m sure your video will be brilliant!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl says
I bet you rocked that video, Hayley! And these muffin tops? Eeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I am horrible on video. But I bet you were fabulous!!! These muffin tops. I want to eat them all, to add to my muffin top. 🙂
Luv What You Do says
Muffin tops are the greatest! These look so tasty and delish! YUM!
Jennifer @ Not Your Momma's Cookie says
When I was in law school, we sometimes had to record ourselves making statements, at oral arguments, etc. Pretty much a lesson in torture.
Oh, and I swear too much too 🙂 It’s weird because I don’t think I “look” like someone who swears a lot, and I mostly do it to be funny, so I really only do it in front of good friends and my husband. FYI – my husband NEVER swears and when he does, I tell him to stop because it doesn’t sound right when he says it 😉
These muffin tops look like you’re eating straight up Halloween for breakfast – LOVE it!!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
Oh hello there, pumpkiny chocolaty Reese’s goodness! Get into my mouth!
Jess @ On Sugar Mountain says
I am sure you didn’t look like an asshat LOL! Even if you did, you can just bribe the camera people with these glorious muffin tops to let you have a do-over, right? 😉 It’d work on me!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes says
I asked for a muffin top pan last year for Christmas and never got it! Now I’m mad LOL
Vapid cannibal hahaha oh man…your stories just crack me up. You would do well on LIVE t.v someday 😉
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
bahahahaa omg you poor thing! You’re hilarious. I’m sure you did not look like a tool or asshat or idiot, you probably looked as adorable as I know you always are 😛 😀
and I’m all for only eating muffin tops of anything ever
vanillasugarblog says
muffin tops rule.
I swear when I’m in a bakery, I look for muffins with perfect tops! LOL
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
I would die if I had to make a video. I would probably talk a mile a minute OR…say the word umm alot 🙂 Bravo to you for doing it!
Muffin top/whoopie pie pan. Have it, must.use.more. These look perfect!
Layla Anne says
Yummy thanksgiving crack!
[email protected] says
Ahahaha!! As I was reading your story, I imagined how insanely awkward I’d be in that situation!! 😉 Thank goodness for re-takes, right?! Thank you so much for the shout out! You’re the best!! Know what else is the best? These muffin tops! Holy goodness!
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
Way to go, girl! So proud of you for shooting a video for Kraft. And it’s not asshattery – it’s your natural charm that was coming across 😉 Your muffin tops aren’t going to be helping my muffin top but that sure as hell won’t stop me from making & eating a batch!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
How cute are these, love the Reese’s on top!
Sandi says
can you make these as cupcakes?
thedomesticrebel says
Hi Sandi! You sure could! They’d be yummy 🙂 just adjust the baking time accordingly as to not underbake the cakes.