Peach Wild Rice Muffins

These sweet and hearty muffins were served at the Chocolate Moose in Ely, Minnesota, in the late-1980s.

Servings: 12

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Ingredients

3 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. whole wheat flour
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. baking soda
1 c. margarine
1¾ c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. cinnamon
4 eggs
1½ c. sour cream or yogurt
1½ c. cooked wild rice
2 c. fresh peaches or nectarines, chopped in relatively large pieces
Sugar to sprinkle on top

Instructions

In a bowl combine flours, salt and baking soda; set aside.
In electric mixer bowl, cream margarine, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon with mixer. Add eggs one at a time, beating constantly with mixer at high speed. Continue beating until mixture is very fluffy. Stir in sour cream or yogurt; mix well. Then fold in flour mixture, wild rice and peaches or nectarines; stir until just mixed.
Fill greased muffins tins 1/2-inch over the top (be generous), then sprinkle sugar over tops of muffins. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes or until muffins are firm to the touch. Let cool in pan 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

If fresh peaches or nectarines are not available, unpeeled apples can be used (increase the amount of cinnamon by 1 teaspoon) or try cranberries (increase sugar by ¼ cup, omit cinnamon).

About Chocolate Moose

Location:
Ely, Minnesota

Status:
Permanently closed

Dates active:
1985-2024

The Chocolate Moose in Ely, Minnesota, was a beloved eatery located at the ‘end of the road’ since the 1980s. This prominent location at the corner of Sheridan and Central, was where locals and visitors alike grabbed wholesome, homemade eats before or after a day spent enjoying the wilderness.

Millie and Barry Bissonette and Nancy and Steve Piragis opened the restaurant with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Ely’s mayor and many well-wishers on June 17, 1985.

Word quickly spread about the hearty soups, whole-grain breads, locally-caught fish, and many more delicious menu items at the Chocolate Moose. Before long, people were waiting in line during busy summer months for their chance to experience the cozy atmosphere with their friends and family.

After the Bissonettes left the business, Piragis Northwoods continued to own the building and lease out the restaurant to different operators, then sold the building, and finally repurchased it in 2019. A supper club opened in the space that year, but business closures and fewer tourists caused the operator of that venture to move on.

In 2021, another couple took over operating the restaurant with more success as tourists returned to town. Sadly, their lease was not renewed by Piragis, and the restaurant closed for good in 2024. The Piragis Northwoods Company Bookshop is expected to take over the space.

Peach Wild Rice Muffins from the Chocolate Moose in Ely