Saturday, October 1, 2011

Oatmeal Muffins with Options . . .

Like most families, mine will go for the sweets before anything else. Instead of constant nagging, I try to keep some reasonable snacks on hand that hold a nutrient value besides tasting good. These fit the bill and they are happily consumed without question.

Oatmeal Muffins with Options

1 cup regular oatmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Grated zest of one orange
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup oil
3/4 cup milk

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and stir to just mix together evenly. Scoop into either greased muffin tins or line the tins with cupcake papers. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the tops are nicely browned.

Ideas . . .

Substitute apples for the cranberries.

Use half raisins and half chopped apples for an apple pie sort of taste.

Mix 1/2 cup of powdered sugar with enough fresh orange juice to make a thin icing and brush
the muffins soon after the exit the oven.

Substitute chopped, mixed dried fruit for the cranberries called for in the recipe.

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