My favorite season is November and December.  I love to bake for family, friends, neighbors and co-workers.  What a great way to start the work-week than by standing in the break room with a cup of coffee and a slice of sweet bread talking to co-workers.  It is also a wonderful gift to give someone.  When I am baking breads for gifts, I treasure the time I am in the kitchen and thinking about my friends.  And of course, I love watching folks eat my breads.  I hope this months recipes will bring you the same enjoyment that it brings to me.  I will be making these breads a lot over the next two months.  Enjoy!

Cappuccino Chocolate Chip Muffins

6 Tablespoons butter, softened
2/3 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup milk
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 3/4 cup unsifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg1 TB instant coffee dissolved in 2 Tablespoons boiling water
1 TB coffee flavored liquor (optional)
3/4 cup chocolate chips

Heat oven to 375 degrees. Grease 6-muffin pan. In large bowl, beat on medium speed: butter and sugar till light and fluffy. Beat in egg, vanilla, dissolved coffee granules, and coffee liquor (optional) until blended.
In medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add flour mixture to butter mixture alternately with milk, beating just until combined. Fold in chocolate chips. Divide batter among muffin pan cups.
Bake 25-30 minutes or until centers spring back when lightly pressed. Serve warm.