2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg, mace or ginger (optional)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 (8 oz) tub vanilla or plain yogurt
1 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup Craisins and/or raisins
1/2 cup pecans, walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts or Macadamia nuts, chopped
coarse sanding sugar or confectioners sugar for sprinkling

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Line greased 12-muffin pan with paper baking cups and set aside.

In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices. In a larger mixing bowl, beat butter until fluffy on medium speed. Gradually add sugar, then eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Stir in flour mixture, then add (C) raisins and nuts.

Spoon into muffin cups filling 3/4 full. (Wipe off any batter dropped onto top of pan to avoid burning.)

Bake for 20 minutes in preheated oven or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool for 5 minutes in pan on wire rack, then remove. Brush tops of muffins with melted butter while still warm, then sprinkle with confectioners, granulated, or coarse sanding sugar (each gives a different result). Colored sugars will add a festive touch.