Strawberry Oatmeal Muffins

Joy the Baker

1 1/4 cups oat flour
1 1/2 cups oats
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup low-fat buttermilk ( I used whole milk + 1 Tbsp Vinegar)
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 package strawberries, chopped
White sugar for the tops.

Pre-heat oven to 375*

Makes 12-18 muffins

Let me tell you I was WAY excited to make these. Earlier in the day I knew I wanted to make Strawberry Oatmeal muffins, I just needed to find a recipe to shake up. Well lucky me I went to
Joy the Baker awesome site and didn't really need to change much at all. I used Oat Flour and added some more oats. Left out the cinnamon and added some vanilla. Also, since they are healthy I *had* to add some sugar to the tops, just because I like how it looks ;)

About an hour before you are going to start making these yummy muffins, rinse and chop all of your strawberries. Then add about 2 Tbsp white sugar, mix well to coat, cover and put in the fridge. This will make the strawberries nice and soft and flavorful.

(unhappy strawberries, with no sugar)

Doot, duu, duu.

Ok 1 hour has passed.

(happy strawberries with sugar love)

Now beat one egg slightly in a large mixing bowl.
Add your brown sugar, applesauce, buttermilk (or milk and vinegar if you are awesome like me) and vanilla and mix together.

Now add all the dry ingredients. Using a wooden spoon to combine.

Now, this is important! Drain your strawberries! The sugar will cause there to be a syrup at the bottom. You don't want this in your muffins because it will add too much liquid. Drop them in a colander, shake, rattle and roll and then add them to your mix.

Stir together and then prepare your muffin tins.

I made 6 jumbo muffins and 6 eensy weensy regular size muffins. Spray your pans with some non-stick spray.

Then fill the muffin tins 3/4 of the way through. Top with a light dusting of white sugar, why? Well why not? God only gives us one life !

Now pop into your warm and toasty oven and cook for 12-20 minutes depending on the size of your muffins. My wee ones took close to 15 and my jumbo ones took about 20.

Allow to cool and enjoy the taste of summer on it's way. Oh and this weekend look for my version of The Pioneer Woman's Twice Baked Potatoes!

Have a great day and God Bless!

Beana's Banana Bread (or muffins)

I big puffy heart banana bread. I love it. So does my husband. I usually make it 3 times a month because we always have left over bananas (hmmm I wonder how I manage to do that week after week *shrugs*) . Besides there is just something about homemade bread....

Now the best thing about this recipe is that it is relatively healthy too! YAY! I usually make this for friends as well and some of them have asked for it again so it has to be pretty good.

so here it is...

Beana's Banana Bread

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar ( I use 1/2 cup brown and 1/4 cup white) plus 1-2 Tbsp white sugar
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cinnamon (you don't have to use this much, I just like cinnamon)
2 egg whites
2-3 ripe bananas (medium/large)
1/2 cup applesauce
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350*

In a medium-large mixing bowl combine bananas, sugars, eggs, applesauce and vanilla extract. Beat with blender on low until it is creamy. Add all dry ingredients and mix until all dry ingredients are incorporated.

Spray pan you will be using with pam and if using glass or metal pans sprinkle with a bit of flour.
I have silicone pans which I LOVE LOVE LOVE! They are great. Mine have gotten alot of use as you can see. Things don't seem to clean off the top as well as they do the cups. Oh well. Life goes on right?

Pour batter into cups (for muffins) or into your loaf pan for bread. Sprinkle a wee bit of sugar on the top of each. Bake at 350* for 25-30 min for large muffins like I made, or 50-55 min for a loaf.

Allow to cool for a few minutes and enjoy the yummy goodness after!

Some time this week I'm going to share some tips for the grocery store and how to stay within your budget so keep checking back!

Have a great night and God Bless.