Just a warning that this might turn into a love letter to The West Wing. I just finished the almost 20-year-old show last week, and I'm in major withdrawal. I started it a year ago once I had finished my foray into fast talking with Gilmore Girls because Joshua Malina (who ended up being on the show) and Hrishi Hirway started a podcast to discuss each episode. Like I had been doing with Gilmore Girls/Gilmore Guys, I wanted to follow along. I had to give it up for a while because Aaron Sorkin's writing demanded my full attention, but around the inauguration this year, I found myself craving the humanity of President Bartlet and his loyal staff. From there, I attempted to savor it in the beginning, but eventually devoured each season pushing far ahead of the podcast and unfortunately to the end. I could sing so many praises about the show, but we're here for the food, so let's get to it.
At the beginning of season 2, we meet Ainsley Hayes, a conservative lawyer who challenges our main staff of democrats. In one of her first episodes, we are introduced to her love of baked goods through her telling off a panel of White House opponents and then asking to take a muffin from the meeting. We don't get a great look at the muffin, but I imagined a selection of untouched assorted bakery style muffins on a tray in the middle of the table, so I went with my obvious choice, chocolate chip.
Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Muffins
inspired by The West Wing season 2, episode 6
makes 12 muffins
- 2 1/2 cups flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup milk or buttermilk
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
Preheat an oven to 425ºF and prepare a 12-cup muffin tray with either muffin liners or cooking spray.
Combine the dry ingredients (except sugar)—flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and chocolate chips—in a mixing bowl and set aside.
In another bowl, whisk together butter, sugar, eggs, milk and vanilla. Add the mixture slowly to the dry ingredients and fold together until it's just combined. Don't overmix!
Add batter to muffin cups and put in the oven. After 5 minutes, reduce the heat to 375ºF and cook for 12-15 more minutes, until the tops are spongy and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool for 5-10 minutes and enjoy.
recipe from Little Sweet Baker.
[made while watching Big Little Lies.]