A Healthier Take on Muffins – with 4 variations…

Muffins can be a great snack for the lunch box or for breakfast on the go but most muffin recipes are full of refined flours, sugars and bad fats this recipe is different.  It is a quick and simple batter to make and there are four different variations which are all delicious.  I hope you give this recipe a go it is from Donna Hay’s “Basics to Brilliance Kids” cookbook and is simple enough for the little chef in your family to make with only a little assistance.

Muffin Base Ingredients

• 1 cup wholemeal spelt flour
• 1 cup plain flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon (optional)
• 1 egg
• 2/3 cups light-flavoured olive oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/3 cup milk

And either of the variation ingredients listed at the bottom of the post…….

Preheat oven to 180 C.  Line a 12 x 1/2 cup muffin tin with paper muffin cases.

Place the flours, baking powder and cinnamon (if using) in a big bowl and using a spatula, mix to combine.  Dig a well in the middle of the flour mixture.

Break the egg into a medium jug and the oil, vanilla, maple and milk.  Use a whisk to mix together.

Pour the egg mixture into the well and mix with a spatula until just combined – don’t over mix a few lumps and bits of flour are fine.  Now is the time to add one of the four flavour combinations….  I’m doing banana and shredded coconut.

To the base mixture I add banana and shredded coconut and fold through gently again not over mixing.

Spoon the mixture into the muffin tin and bake for 20 -25 minutes or until cooked when tested with a skewer.  Remove from the oven and and allow to cool.

Banana and Coconut Muffins

1 cup of mashed banana and 1 1/2 cups of shredded coconut

Blueberry Muffins

2 1/2 cups frozen blueberries

Carrot and Saltana Muffins

2 cups grated carrot and 1/2 cup sultanas

Raspberry and White Chocolate Muffins

2 1/2 cups frozen raspberries and 90gm chopped white chocolate.

I hope you give these tasty treats a go and let me know what flavour variation you try out.

Happy weekend.

Sheryl xx