Beautiful Food

Did someone say MUFFINS!?

These muffins are….well, semi-healthy.  This recipe doesn’t call for a whole lot of sugar, and is packed with whole grain oats, applesauce and very little oil.  And with cranberries in season, they’re a perfect holiday treat for office parties, potlucks, etc.  Do I sound like a commercial yet?

I’ve had good luck with them freezing very well, and they’re perfect for breakfast or an after school snack.  Warming them up in the microwave for about 15 seconds should do the trick to give them that fresh from the oven taste. I think I could eat the whole tray by myself if my husband weren’t around to help me 🙂

To keep it short and sweet, here is the recipe, so you can get baking!

Dry Ingredients: 

1½ cups old fashioned rolled oats or (quick oats)
1¼ cups whole wheat flour or (all purpose flour)
½ cup packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder 
¾ teaspoon baking soda
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons whole flaxseed

1/4 cup crushed almonds
1 cup Craisins *dried cranberries

Wet Ingredients: 

1 large egg (I’m not sure if egg substitute would work- try it!)
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
½ cup skim milk (or almond)
3 Tablespoons canola oil (or corn oil)

Topping: 

1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats (or quick oats)
2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
2 Tablespoons butter – melted

NOTE* I adapted this recipe so you may have a little more batter than will fit into a traditional 12 cup muffin tin.

Better to have more than not enough I say!

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400ºF.   Line a 12 cup muffin tin with fluted baking cups

In a large bowl, whisk together dry ingredients

In a separate bowl, beat  egg, then stir in the applesauce, milk and oil

Combine the wet and dry ingredients until just moistened

Fill the paper cups about ¾ of the way full

In a small bowl, combine the topping ingredients.  Sprinkle topping over batter and bake at 400º F for 16-18 minutes.  Insert a toothpick to test for doneness.  If it comes out clean, you’re ready to take them out!

Cool on a wire rack for about 10 minutes.  Enjoy with a cup of coffee or glass of milk !

And as always… These muffins are so good you’ll have nothing but an empty plate left.

Until next time!

-K