Sausage and Maple Pancake Muffins...tastes like a McGriddle!

This has to be the new favorite breakfast around the house!  It's true, we don't eat at McDonald's except for the occasional breakfast.  The kids just love the McGriddle.  Sweet yet salty, full of mystery ingredients.  I have cracked the code!

In other news, my new favorite kitchen staple is Maple Extract.  Use it in banana bread instead of vanilla, make homemade syrup, use your imagination, the possibilities are endless.

PANCAKE SAUSAGE MUFFINS

• 1 c. whole wheat flour
• 1 c. white flour
• 1/8 c. cornmeal
• 1/2 to 1 lb. of breakfast sausage (I am a sausage snob and can only eat Jimmy Dean!)
• 1/2 t. salt
• 1/2 t. soda
• 3/4 c. brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1-1/2 c. buttermilk
• 3/4 t. maple extract

Crumble and fry sausage until thoroughly cooked. Drain off grease. Combine dry ingredients. Make a well in the center and add buttermilk, beaten egg and maple extract. Stir to mix ingredients. Add in drained sausage and mix again. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 18 minutes, until toothpick comes out clean.  Let cool in pan for 5 minutes and remove to a wire rack.  Makes 1 dozen regular sized muffins.  This recipe can be doubled.