Muffins

Muffins are ideal first thing in the morning with coffee or a large glass of milk. When we make muffins, a whole world of flavours opens up to us! Will it be a berry or a banana-nut muffin? Here is a very simple basic muffin recipe that can be adapted to your choice of flavours.

Basic muffins

Ingredients

375 mL (1 1/2 cups) whole wheat flour
375 mL (1 1/2 cups) rolled oats
5 mL (1 tsp.) baking powder
2 mL (1/2 tsp.) baking soda
A pinch salt
80 mL (1/3 cup) vegetable oil
2 eggs
125 mL (1/2 cup) packed brown sugar
125 mL (1/2 cup) unsweetened applesauce
125 mL (1/2 cup) milk
15 mL (1 tbsp.) vanilla

Yield: 12 large muffins
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 35 minutes
Total time: 55 minutes

Method

Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
In a bowl, mix together flour, rolled oats, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Reserve.
In a separate bowl, beat oil, eggs, brown sugar, and applesauce with an electric beater until smooth and blended. Add milk, vanilla, and flavourings. Mix again.
Pour liquid ingredients onto dry ingredients and gently stir with a wooden spoon until barely moistened.
Spoon batter evenly into 12-muffin tin lined with paper baking cups. Bake in the oven for 35 minutes or until firm to the touch and until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Variations:

Add your choice of ingredients to the basic muffin recipe:

375 mL (1½ cups) grated carrots + 125 mL (1/2 cup) raisins + 5 mL (1 tsp.) ground cinnamon + 5 mL (1 tsp.) ground ginger
375 mL (1½ cups) grated zucchini + 125 mL (1/2 cup) chocolate chips
2 ripe mashed bananas + 125 mL (1/2 cup) chopped walnuts
2 unpeeled apples, diced + 10 mL (2 tsp.) ground cinnamon
375 mL (1½ cups) fresh or frozen berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, or strawberries)