Mix it Up Monday!

I don't consider myself to be an adventurous cook, but these muffins sounded really intriguing. My guys loved them, but couldn't guess what the secret ingredient was. 

Chai Pistachio Muffins

Adapted from Cooking Light

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

3 vanilla chai teas bags, opened 

1 cup buttermilk

1/4 cup butter, melted

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract, divided

1 large egg

cooking spray

1/3 cup shelled dry-roasted pistachios, chopped

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 T milk

1.  Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2.  Lightly spoon flour into measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour and next six ingredients in a large bowl; stir. Cut open tea bags and add tea to mix; stir again. Make a well in center of dry ingredients.

3.  Combine buttermilk, butter, vanilla and egg and stir. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until moist.

4.  Line 12 muffin tins with liners and lightly spray liners with cooking spray. Divide batter evenly among cups. Top with chopped nuts.

5.  Bake at 375 degrees for 15 minutes or until done. Cool on wire rack.

6.  Combine remaining 1/2 tsp vanilla with powdered sugar and milk, stirring until smooth. Drizzle evenly over muffins.

I don't care for overly sweet muffins and would usually forgo the icing, but to me these needed that little extra touch of sweetness. But then again, I might not have put quite as much brown sugar in as the recipe called for. 

Check out the other Mix it up Monday recipes and tips on Flour Me With Love!

Also linked on Foodie Friday!