I love muffins, all kinds. Plus often you have less fat and sugar in them. These are from the Canadian Diabetic Association. I have added extra notes of my own for variations I have used. Wasn't sure if it should go under Healthy Diet or Muffins so I placed it here.
QUICK-BREAD RECIPE HELP / SPECIAL DIETS RECIPE HELP
INGREDIENTS
2 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup vegetable oil; if you like you can use extra virgin olive oil instead
1/4 cup molasses
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour; spoon into measuring cup and level to rim; or you can substitute the equivalent in all-purpose flour or any combination of the two- works well – I know because I tried, haha. That is what happens when you think you had more whole wheat flour than you actually do.
1 cup natural bran – I use Quaker natural wheat bran that comes in a box. This is not the same thing as All-bran cereal from Kellogg's, it is fine in texture.
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup raisins, or dried apricots or dried cranberries or a small container of fresh blueberries or any other dried fruit you like.
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line muffin tin with paper liners.
In a bowl, using whisk, beat eggs lightly. Add buttermilk, brown sugar, oil and molasses. Measure oil in measuring cup first then use to measure molasses, this will make them pour out easier. In separate bowl, stir flour, bran, baking soda, baking powder and salt together. Stir liquid ingredients into dry just until combined, do not over-mix. Add fruit.
You can top the batter with chopped almonds in their skins or a sprinkle of wheat germ for extra flavor and nutrition. You can add dried apple pieces and one half to one teaspoon of cinnamon as a fruit alternative with or without raisins.
Spoon evenly into the 12 liners in your muffin tin. Bake for 18-24 minutes or until top springs back when touched lightly. Cool 5-10 minutes and remove from pan or turn sideways in pan. Once cool completely, you can freeze leftovers. I find they keep about 6 weeks in the freezer.
SQUIRRELLY CAKES SAYS:
One half of a teaspoon of cinnamon and 23 almonds in their skins, daily can help to reduce cholesterol naturally. Raisins and berries are anti-oxidants. Whole wheat flour and bran are whole grains.
One of these muffins, in addition to a bowl of regular oatmeal topped with almonds, along with a serving of fruit or 4 ounces of juice and a serving of milk, is a good balanced diet for your breakfast meal. Oatmeal also lowers cholesterol. For diabetics you are best to eat the fruit and get the extra fiber than to drink juice.
