Version 2.0….
So ironically the same night I posted the cupcakes, When Harry Met Sally came on TBS or some channel like that. So of course, I watched it. And while watching it, something struck a cord…hard.
Harry Burns: You realize of course that we could never be friends.
Sally Albright: Why not?
Harry Burns: What I’m saying is – and this is not a come-on in any way, shape or form – is that men and women can’t be friends because the sex part always gets in the way.
Sally Albright: That’s not true. I have a number of men friends and there is no sex involved.
Harry Burns: No you don’t.
Sally Albright: Yes I do.
Harry Burns: No you don’t.
Sally Albright: Yes I do.
Harry Burns: You only think you do.
Sally Albright: You say I’m having sex with these men without my knowledge?
Harry Burns: No, what I’m saying is they all WANT to have sex with you.
Sally Albright: They do not.
Harry Burns: Do too.
Sally Albright: They do not.
Harry Burns: Do too.
Sally Albright: How do you know?
Harry Burns: Because no man can be friends with a woman that he finds attractive. He always wants to have sex with her.
Sally Albright: So, you’re saying that a man can be friends with a woman he finds unattractive?
Harry Burns: No. You pretty much want to nail ‘em too.
Sally Albright: What if THEY don’t want to have sex with YOU?
Harry Burns: Doesn’t matter because the sex thing is already out there so the friendship is ultimately doomed and that is the end of the story.
Sally Albright: Well, I guess we’re not going to be friends then.
Harry Burns: I guess not.
Sally Albright: That’s too bad. You were the only person I knew in New York.
Can men and women just be friends? I’m going with yes (or at least for me). For about 95% of my friends are guys. If I hadn’t eloped, my maid of honour would have been my guy friend S. But I wasn’t up for making a political statement, and well, he would look crappy in a dress.
Now maybe since I have played hockey with the vast majority of my male friends at some point in my life, this has helped things. Why does that matter you ask? Well, I’ve seen the vast majority of them naked in the locker room. Though, none of them get to see me naked (yes, I realize not fair…life is not fair, move on). Maybe already knowing what they have to um…*offer* makes me less curious and I can therefore just be friends with them (boy that sounds harsh 
).
But in all seriousness, I like guys as friends. They are easy (remove mind from gutter). When you give them an answer they don’t grill and question you about it for forever. One word answers work for them. When you ask them what they are thinking and they say nothing, they mean it. 
They like to drink beer. Eat the food I make. Watch sports. All things I can hang with. Now I do have female friends of course. Though, the majority of them are a little on the tomboy side, so even they are leaning towards guys.
And since I was bringing When Harry Met Sally back up again, I figured I would just redo the Caramel Macchiato flavor in a different way. They Hot Chocolate Muffins went over well, and so I thought offering up the Macchiato in cream cheese muffin form seemed like a good idea as well. It was. If you can’t find the Dulce de Leche drinking chocolate just use a caramel flavored hot chocolate.
So what do you think? Can men and women be friends?
Caramel Maccihato Cream Cheese Muffins
½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ tsp instant espresso powder
1/3 cup Dulce de Leche Drinking Chocolate (see note)
½ cup milk
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
Caramel Cream Cheese Filling (recipe follows)
Preheat oven to 375F.
Grease either a jumbo (makes 6) or regular (makes 12) muffin tin.
In a small saucepan, heat the milk, but do not boil. Add the drinking chocolate and the powdered espresso. Whisk and set aside. Don’t worry if not all of the drinking chocolate pieces dissolve.
Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together on medium speed the sugar and butter until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
Add eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition.
Add the vanilla extract and espresso milk mixture, and beat for an additional minutes.
Sift together the flour, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Add the butter mixture in the mixing bowl into the large bowl with the flour mixture.
Fold the mixture together just until combined. (do not over mix)
Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each one about 2/3 of the way full.
Using a piping bag with large tip, fill the bag with cream cheese mixture. Place tip into the middle of the muffin and fill until you see the cream cheese on top. Repeat with all of the muffins.
Bake for 16-18 minutes (22-25 for the larger ones like I made). Insert a knife or wooden skewer to make sure they are done. Be sure to not insert the knife or skewer where the cream cheese is, that will give you a false reading of whether the muffin is done or not.
Let cool and drizzle with caramel if desired (I know, I know…you desire).
Caramel Cream Cheese Filling
4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
4 TBSP caramel sauce (store bought or homemade)
¼ cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 TBSP all-purpose flour
If using stand mixer, clean bowl. If using electric hand beaters, just get a new bowl. Beat the cream cheese and caramel together on medium-high for about 2 minutes. Until it is nice and smooth. Add sugar, egg, and flour and beat an additional 2 minutes.
*I use Schokinag Drinking Chocolate in Dulce de Leche flavor. If you can not find this use caramel flavored hot chocolate.
50 Responses
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January 10th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
I believe they can. I know that in high school (a long time ago) I had more guy friends than girl friends. Thanks for another recipe. These sound delish as usual!
January 10th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Splendid! Those muffins look totally scrumptious and to die for!
Yes, but it can sometimes be difficult if the guy wants more… I always had more guy friends in the past.
Cheers,
Rosa
January 10th, 2010 at 3:30 pm
I really hope they can just be friends, otherwise I think I’m going to have to have a talk with my two male, completely platonic roommates! And with about 75% of my friends from growing up…
January 10th, 2010 at 3:45 pm
Uh, wow. Did I mention I have a weakness for caramel? I do. Forget dinner, now I need caramel, asap!
January 10th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
yes…i have several male friends & the friendships work…now about these muffins…over the top…& thanks for the link to a new site for me!
peabody, i know you are a chocolate snob…me too…any other products that you adore…what about a post on them?
January 10th, 2010 at 4:36 pm
Whether two people of opposite sex can be friends depends on what they are after. I mean…if you’re just looking for a simple friendship it can work out.
January 10th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Of course, men and women can be friends!! I know it’s really easy for me since I’m not attracted to men haha. In fact, I’m going to the movies with a male FRIEND of mine tonight.
January 10th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Your question distracted me from the delicious muffin up there! That looks fabulous!
January 10th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
WOW those muffins sound so good!!! Love the drizzled pics! And that filling!
Oh yes, I’ve had more guy friends than girl and hate when they all of a sudden want more… oh my! I do think it can work to be just friends though if all intentions are right.
January 10th, 2010 at 5:45 pm
I think I just gained 5 lbs. looking at the pictures of these muffins.
And yes, men and women can be friends… I think it is easier once one or both are in committed relationships though.
January 10th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
Yes, most definitely. Guys are simple, honest, and (mostly) drama-free. They don’t say things behind your back that they wouldn’t tell you to your face–good OR bad! I can’t say that about many of my gal friends!
Thanks for the recipes; I like both versions of the Caramel Macchiato cupcake
January 10th, 2010 at 6:51 pm
I hear ya – on the whole, guys are simpler creatures than women, and therefore easier to deal with (although there are a few snakes who are exceptions). I love caramel in all forms sothese cupcakes have me in a swoon.
January 10th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
Oh yes, men and women can be friends. And when they are older, the men who were so annoying in their 30s turn out to make the very best friends.
January 10th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
“When you ask them what they are thinking and they say nothing, they mean it.” LOL so true and so funny!!!
These muffins are absolutely fantastic, they are the stuff of dreams. The cream cheese filling, oh my.
January 10th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
PS Men and women can absolutely be friends. It’s a different, but very rewarding friendship than with girls, I think. However, it’s probably true that given the chance, they would sleep with us. But I think guys would sleep with a lot of women, given the chance, so I don’t think it makes a big impact on the friendship.
January 10th, 2010 at 11:09 pm
i think it’s possible
but there’s always the other possibility that the gender part, and emotions will get in the way. however, having this muffin in between friends could also be a problem…unless they’re cool with sharing. ;D
beautiful pics, as usual~~
p.s. i think your buddy would look better in a dress than i do
haha
January 11th, 2010 at 12:27 am
*falls over* *drools*
I like having guys as friends- I actually tend to be more friends with men than women, actually- but I find that it’s a fine line once you’re married. Since I’m not so keen on Husband having single women as close friends, I no longer have single men as close friends. It’s as simple as that. Also, really- now that I’m legally hooked to someone, most of the guy friends have scampered off, ha. Go figure! *shrugs*
January 11th, 2010 at 1:19 am
ummmm! how delicious these look! i am a sucker for coffee flavors baked goods and of course the dulche de leche is an added bonus!
January 11th, 2010 at 1:50 am
They look so delicious and I love the idea of the cream cheese filling and all the drizzly caramel mmmm
January 11th, 2010 at 2:47 am
The answer I think is yes… Those who can’t manage it probably can’t manage a whole lot of other stuff too.
January 11th, 2010 at 7:20 am
Yes – males and females can certainly be friends without feeling the sexual tension, or whatever. One of my best friends is a masculine guy, and we confide in each other all the time without fear of weird feelings
January 11th, 2010 at 7:58 am
Yes! My husband’s best friend (and best maid) is a lovely woman named Jessica – they have a weekend together every year and she sends me a thank you note and says I am the best wife EVER…
January 11th, 2010 at 10:13 am
I absolutely think guys and girls can be just friends. I just got married in June, and one of my “bridesmaids” was a guy. Most of my friends are guys, and this particular guy and I have been best friends since the first week of college. We’ve gone through a lot together, and it just didn’t seem right to not have him be a part of the most important day of my life.
January 11th, 2010 at 10:20 am
Your frool worthy muffins lately are really killing me.
Yes, they can, but it takes a certain type of guy more than anything else I think!
January 11th, 2010 at 10:50 am
Wow, those look good.
And yes, men and women can be friends. However, most men I’ve known admit that they tend to be friends with women they are attracted to, at least in part. But really, who cares? Friendships with men are (usually) easy and drama-free.
January 11th, 2010 at 11:25 am
My husband has always had more women friends than men friends and I know it’s not because he wants to nail them. He says women are easier to relate to without male posturing.
He is my best friend, but we do *ahem* have that other element in the friendship.
January 11th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
hmmmmm – although it can be done I think it’s a hard for men and women to keep things asexual
January 11th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Yes, I do think it’s possible! I also think it depends on a lot of factors, but I won’t get into that right now
January 11th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Yes.
January 11th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
I think men and women can be friends but I think the though of doing it with them always flashes through your head. One thing I do admire in a man is that when they have issues with their friends they are over it in a few minutes. As I women I find myself thinking about it forever and then ultimately thinking how I could ruin their life…haha. Man I sound like a b*tch. I swear I’m really sweet
January 11th, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Yes,men and women can be friends. In fact, I have found that gay men make the best friends.
January 11th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
I definitely think guys and girls can just be friends…of course, the closeness of that friendship might change a bit once one of them (or both) gets married. I have had several close guy friends and still do!
January 11th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Sure. Not sure that negates what he said about The Big S, though. Maybe guys can be friends with someone post Big S.
Or maybe guys can be friends with anyone who bakes. You’re a good gal friend to have around!
January 11th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
A) Absolutely. At least half my friends are women. There’s no problem or issue at all as I see it.
B) ZOMG (did I really just write that?) Those muffins look so good that I just tried to eat my laptop screen!
January 12th, 2010 at 3:46 am
the muffins look DELISH! my goodness! what to do with my new year’s resolution of shedding pounds with so many great recipes popping up?
i think men and women can be friends as long as both parties come with pure motives of friendship. also, in my experience the relationship always changes after one or both gets married.
January 12th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
that is my brothers absolute favorite drink at starbucks. i’ve yet to be able to find instant espresso or the dulce de leche drinking cocoa in my local stores, but i WILL find it! it’s a mission now.
great post!
January 12th, 2010 at 2:20 pm
I was “best man” at my friend Ricks wedding and he was “maid of honor” at mine. I wore a tux to his…he wore a tux to mine
I have many male friends but I don’t exactly ask them if they want to have sex with me so who knows!
January 12th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
These look amazing! And no, I don’t think they can be GOOD friends – there is always a secret crush lurking on one side or the other. I have found this out multiple times the hard way.
January 12th, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Interesting post!
First of all, the muffins are killers! That caramel all over them? OMG. And with a caramel cream cheese filling? Oh man. Copying now.
As for being friends with men. Here is the problem: their wives/girlfriends won’t like it. One bit. Trust me on this one.
January 12th, 2010 at 10:12 pm
Yes! my best friends have always been guys, always. I finally married one of them and, since he was one of them for a long time before I married him, he gets the fact that I can be friends with them so he doesn’t get jealous and I still have ‘em all. I seem to have married the right one
January 12th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Wow that looks delicious, but I think it would be detrimental to me losing 20lb by march!
I think men and women can be friends but my husband thinks there is always a wierd atmosphere making it slightly wierd, so I dont know….
I have lots of guy friends, I cant say I’ve seen any of them naked!
January 13th, 2010 at 6:13 am
HA… oh man. To be honest, the answer is mostly no, unless a few criteria are factored in for me:
-The woman is already taken, because I respect that
-We just don’t find each other attractive for some reason
-She’s a co-worker (Can’t mix)
I do believe that sometimes tension mounts and it can be difficult. There’s times where I have to straight up avoid a person. But given enough time, things tend to pass.
To those of you who have different sex friends, good for you, it can work undercircumstances.
I think a harder question would be can you stay friends with someone you’ve ‘had relations’ with previously.
January 13th, 2010 at 8:11 am
Yes men & women can be friends…why ever not! And YES…I love version 2.0!! Droolicious!!
January 13th, 2010 at 2:14 pm
I think women think they can be just friends with men. BUT a lot of guys fail at being just friends with women. They think they can just be friends, BUT something (uh hum) gets in the way.
January 14th, 2010 at 11:41 am
this is straight sex in a picture! worth a million words.
January 15th, 2010 at 3:17 pm
I ate that muffin it was very good.
January 15th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Can men and women be friends? Yes. When I was in high school my entire crowd was boys (except for me). Of course it turned out later that they were all gay. ( no wonder they always had better hairdos than me!) They’re all still my friends.
And maybe these delicious treats are just the way to show them how much I appreciate them!
January 16th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
[...] Caramel Macchiato Cream Cheese Muffins [...]
January 27th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
I can’t wait to try these muffins…I hope that the men that I think I am just friends with only think of me as a friend….
January 28th, 2010 at 10:13 am
Oh I knew you could make this work perfectly. That pic says it all. I wish I had this with my cup of tea right now! Perfection on a plate!
Yes, I do believe men and women can be friends.