### Detailed Steps for Making Chef John's Sweet Potato Muffins
Chef John's sweet potato muffins are a delightful treat that combines the natural sweetness of sweet potatoes with a fluffy, tender texture. Follow these detailed steps to make your own delicious batch of these muffins.
#### Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 3 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and mashed (about 1 cup)
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
#### Equipment:
- Electric mixer or hand mixer
- Large mixing bowl
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Small saucepan
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Baking pan with paper liners
- Oven
#### Steps:
1. **Preheat the Oven:**
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Line a muffin tin with paper liners.
2. **Prepare Sweet Potatoes and Cream Cheese:**
- Peel and mash the sweet potatoes until smooth.
- In a small saucepan, heat the cream cheese over low heat just until melted, then remove from heat.
3. **Mix Dry Ingredients:**
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the baking powder and salt. Mix well to ensure they are evenly distributed.
4. **Cream Butter and Sugar:**
- Using an electric mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar in the same bowl until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
5. **Add Eggs and Vanilla Extract:**
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- Stir in the vanilla extract.
6. **Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:**
- Gradually mix in the flour until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Fold in the mashed sweet potatoes and melted cream cheese using a rubber spatula.
7. **Fill Muffin Tin:**
- Spoon the batter into the lined muffin tins, filling each about 2/3 full to allow for rising.
8. **Bake:**
- Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
9. **Cooling and Serving:**
- Remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes.
- Transfer the muffins to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
#### Tips:
- For extra flavor, you can sprinkle some cinnamon or nutmeg on top of the batter before baking.
- To ensure your sweet potatoes are perfectly mashed, let them sit at room temperature before mashing to maintain their moisture content.
By following these steps, you'll have a batch of delicious Chef John's sweet potato muffins that will impress both family and friends. Enjoy!