Muffins with Goat Cheese, Honey and Figs

As soon as I read this recipe I wanted to try it. 

The muffins turned out one of the best I've ever tasted. The combination of goat cheese, honey and figs is so delicious!

Ingredients (for 12 muffins):

3/4 cup crumbled soft goat cheese

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest

1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided

2 cups white whole wheat flour

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

1 large egg white

3/4 cup packed dark or light brown sugar

1 cup low-fat or nonfat buttermilk

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 1/4 cups chopped dried figs

3 tablespoons granulated sugar (for sprinkling)

Preheat oven to 425°F. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners. 

Combine goat cheese, honey, lemon zest and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla in a small bowl. Set aside.

Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Lightly beat eggs and egg white in a medium bowl; add brown sugar and the remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla and whisk until the sugar is dissolved, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in buttermilk and oil until smooth. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in figs.

Spoon half the batter into the prepared muffin cups. Add 1 teaspoon of the cheese filling to the center of each muffin, and cover with the remaining batter. (The filling should not be visible.) Sprinkle the muffins with sugar.

Bake the muffins until the edges start to brown, 13 to 15 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to cool. 

This recipe is adapted from Eating Well Magazine

http://www.eatingwell.com