Mmmmm-muffins...

I was feeling a little ambitious this morning and wanted to make something special for the boys for breakfast. Sometimes on school days they prefer something a little more exciting than hunny-nutter cheerios. I can't blame them really.... cheerios tend to get a little boring at times.

My wonderful husband gave me the best mini muffin tin for Christmas... it's a Wilton Elite non-stick dark muffin tin.... I LOVE IT! It makes 24 beautiful mini muffins that release from the pan wonderfully. I adapted my pumpkin spice muffins, I ran out of pumpkin, and made apple oatmeal spice instead... all three babes loved them (I say loved as there are only a few left from a batch of 24).

Here's the recipe.... try it and tell me what you think....
Oh! Sorry, I didn't take pictures... but trust me... they were the cutest little guys!

Apple Oatmeal Spice Muffins

1/2 c. packed brown sugar
2 tbsp. oil
2 eggs
1 c. unsweetened applesauce (I used 2 motts unsweetened applesauce cups, the lunchbox size)
1/4 c. water
1-1/4 c. flour (I use a blend of white and whole wheat, but you can use what you prefer)
1/4 c. oatmeal
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. cloves
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
pinch of salt

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees and prepare your pan with liners or grease if you don't have a fantastic pan like me ;)

I generally like one bowl recipes... less mess... sooo, first mix all of your wet ingredients together very well with a fork, then sift your dry ingredients on top of the wet ingredients. I think this is the most important step as it ensures there are no lumpys in your baking powder or soda. If you don't have a sifter, then I do recommend that you mix your dry ingredients in a separate bowl with a wisk or fork to break up the lumpys.

Mix everything together just until the dry ingredients are moist and there are no visible floury bits... don't over mix, you may end up with very tough muffins :(

Spoon into your muffin pan... I almost fill mine to the top as these are muffin tops that I really don't mind bulging, if you get what I mean... wink-wink! Bake until you can just start to smell them, open the oven door and press your finger in the middle of one... if it spring back up, it's done... if it doesn't, it's not, bake a minute more then test again. They will be a little golden when done. I'm sorry but I generally don't use baking times... I tend to do the spring and smell tests. And! Every oven is different, mine cooks very hot and very fast.....

Have fun baking. I hope you enjoy them, we sure did ;)