Wicked-Good Pizza Muffins

serves:Makes 12 muffins

time:about 25 minutes
ingredients

* 2 cups (500 mL) all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup (50 mL) granulated sugar
* 1 tbsp (15 mL) baking powder
* 1 tsp (5 mL) each salt and dried basil
* 1/2 tsp (2 mL) baking soda
* 1 cup (250 mL) tiny cubes old orange cheddar
* 1 cup (250 mL) plain yogurt
* 2 eggs
* 1/4 cup (50 mL) butter, melted
* 1/2 cup (125 mL) finely chopped red or green sweet pepper (optional)
* 1/4 cup (50 mL) pizza sauce
* 1/2 cup (125 mL) shredded mozzarella

directions

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF (200ºC). Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, basil and baking soda until combined. Stir in cheddar cubes.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together yogurt, eggs and butter until smooth. Stir into flour mixture just until well combined and no dry spots remain; stir in sweet pepper (batter will be very thick). Spoon batter into muffin cups, dividing evenly. Spoon 1 tsp (5 mL) pizza sauce on top of each muffin; sprinkle each with shredded mozzarella.
3. Bake about 20 minutes, until golden and a toothpick inserted in centre of one of middle muffins comes out clean. Let muffins cool in pan at least 5 minutes before removing, then let cool completely on a wire rack. (Freeze muffins in an airtight container for up to 1 month; defrost at room temperature.)