Corn Dog Muffins

I love corn dogs, but it's hard to find good ones! And the ones that you make at home just aren't the same as getting them from a food cart.  My dad spoiled us growing up, because he made his own hot dogs and they were AMAZING! Store bought just doesn't compare. But then I discovered the Angus hot dogs (and at almost 5 bucks a package, I am definitely living up to my "expensive" description :P) - they are a reasonable substitute I suppose. Found this recipe and tried them out for a dinner a couple of months ago. I've played around with the recipe a bit - more on that in a sec.

Ingredients

• 2 (8.5 ounce) packages cornbread mix
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 cup grated Cheddar cheese
• 9 hot dogs, cut in half

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease muffin tins.
2. Stir together the cornbread mix and the brown sugar in a large bowl. Whisk the eggs and milk in a small bowl until smooth. Fold the eggs and cheese into the dry mixture until moistened. Spoon mixture into muffin tins until 2/3 full. Add 1 hot dog half to each muffin.
3. Bake in a preheated oven 14 to 18 minutes, or until golden brown.

I've tried this a couple of ways in the past couple of months - both with the hot dogs on top, or mixed in, and with various types of hot dogs. I recommend your favorite type of hot dog, and to put them on top. And really, 9 hot dogs? When they come in packages of 8? I feel a Father of the Bride moment coming on...But for serious, you can just use 8 and it's fine. And Jiffy mix is my preferred method of corn muffin mix. I like that it's already a little bit sweet before the brown sugar. All in all, this is a fun recipe sure to please, whether it's a kids party, or just an easy dinner.

Factoid of the day: Snow makes the world seem so much brighter! I hate the dark gloominess that is Michigan in the winter - it's just gray and brown and seems lifeless. But cover everything with a bit of fluffy white ice crystals, and it's a whole new world. So, while you're driving and cursing the crazy drivers and the icy roads, take a minute and look around (preferably while stopped - that seems like the best option :P), and marvel.