Eggnog Muffins with Spiced Butter

Spiced Butter Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Muffins Ingredients:
1 cup purchased eggnog or half-and-half
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 large egg, slightly beaten
1 teaspoon rum extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Topping Ingredients:
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

Directions: 
Heat oven to 375°F. Combine all butter ingredients in small bowl. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often, until creamy. Set aside.
Combine eggnog, 1/4 cup melted butter, egg and rum extract in large bowl. Add all remaining muffin ingredients; stir just until moistened.
Spoon batter into 12 greased or paper-lined (2 1/2-inch) muffin cups. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until light brown. Cool slightly; remove from pan.
Meanwhile, combine all topping ingredients except butter in small shallow bowl. Pour 1/4 cup melted butter into another small bowl. Dip tops of muffins in melted butter, then in topping mixture. Serve warm with spiced butter.
Makes 1 dozen muffins, 1/2 cup butter.

Tip:
Mini-sized muffins are perfect for buffets where you want to taste a little bit of everything. For mini muffins, prepare batter as directed above. Spoon batter into 36 greased or paper-lined (1 3/4-inch) mini muffin cups. Bake for 9 to 12 minutes. Continue as directed above.

Nutrition Facts:
(1 muffin, 2 teaspoons spiced butter): Calories: 280, Fat: 17g, Cholesterol: 70mg, Sodium: 310mg, Carbohydrates: 28g, Dietary Fiber: <1g, Protein: 4g