Donna’s Oatmeal Craisin Muffins

Combine exercise and good nutrition in the New Year. The cinnamon and sugar tops off a muffin with a homemade aroma and taste. What a great way to enjoy oatmeal!

1/3 cup craisins (dried cranberries) 2 tablespoons brandy 1 cup oatmeal 1 cup buttermilk 1/3 cup butter or margarine 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 egg 2 cups flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cardamom 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon sugar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease muffin tins. (Choose either regular sized muffin or small sized muffin tins.) In a small bowl or custard cup, combine craisins and brandy. Warm briefly in the microwave and set aside. In a small bowl combine oatmeal and buttermilk.

Set aside. In a medium bowl beat butter and sugar together. Add egg and beat well. Stir in the oatmeal and milk. Stir in craisins and brandy. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cardamom. Stir dry ingredients into oatmeal mixture. Stir gently and as little as possible. (Vigorous stirring make tough muffins.). Spoon into muffin pan, filling 2/3 full.

Makes about 14 regular sized muffins or 32 small muffins. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes until lightly brown.

While baking combine cinnamon and sugar in a custard cup or a shaker. Remove muffins from the tin. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar mixture. Remove muffins from pan and cool on a rack.

Makes 14 regular sized muffins

Nutritional Information per muffin:

Calories 170
Fat, gm. 5
Protein, gm. 4
Carb. gm. 28
Cholesterol, mg. 25
Fiber, gm. 1.4

Makes 32, small muffins

Nutritional Information per muffin:

Calories 80
Fat, gm. 2
Protein, gm. 1.5
Carb. gm. 12
Cholesterol, mg. 12
Fiber, gm. 0.6

Reprinted from:

Magic Spices
(John Wiley & Sons, 1998)
Donna L. Weihofen Nutritionist, UW Hospitals & Clinics

Join Donna at Countours Express on Gammon Road. Call 831-5959 for more information on getting in shape in 2002.