Bran muffins for Elaine
Hi Elaine...here's the basic recipe. Usually my recipes all get entered into my sparkpeople database but on this one I change it so much that I haven't yet. But I'll post the link to the one I got the basic formula from (http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=7800 3)
Bran Muffins
3 cups Fiber One cereal (or All Bran)
2 cups ho****er
2 egg whites
1 1/4 cups splenda granular
3/4 cup whole wheat flour (pastry flour tastes nicest)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
moisture add-ins...usually 1/4-1/2 cup depending on wetness
spices and extracts to taste
Basic instructions: add cereal and ho****er in a mixing bowl, stir to combine, set aside for about 20 minutes so that cereal will soften. Whisk or mix with an electric mixer to further break down cereal after this time and add the rest of the ingredients, being careful not to overmix. Divide into 12 muffins, bake at 375-400 degrees (depending on your add-ins) for 15-25 minutes. Cool and freeze.
My favorite add ins: a 2.5 oz. babyfood carroot puree, 1 T saigon cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp. hazelnut extract...this is the carrot cake version.
1/4 cup applesauce, 1 tab. cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. cloves....apple pie version
1/3 cup pumpkin puree, 1 tab. pp spice...pumpkin pie version
1/4 cup mashed bananas, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1 tsp. hazelnut extract...banana nut bread version
1/4 cup shredded zucchini, 1 tsp. cinnamon.....zucchini bread version
Well...pretty easy to get the idea and you can add anything you want! I've even added 2 scoops of protein powder before just to see how it would work and it was ok.
Next thing I am trying to wrap my brain around is how to make a bran muffin be a stand-in for turkey dressing. Don't you think it could be done by elminating the splenda, adding some sautee'd onions, celery and the typical herbs? Of course there'd be a little sweetness from the cereal itself but it might not be bad. With the nip in the weather I'm starting to crave stuffing and even though I do have that Orowheat light bread that I'll use for a SINGLE piece of toast on the weekend there is no way I trust myself with a pan of stuffing. A muffin that could be frozen and then just pulled out to have with a protein like turkey or chicken however...that could be managed.
Too crazy?
