This week’s post (yes, I am trying to keep up with the “post a week”) was last-minute, to say the least. I picked up a Good Housekeeping Cookbook, saw this recipe and thought it would be perfect for a cold, rainy holiday morning. Plus I knew I was going to dump on everyone and meet a friend at Starbuck’s for some “me” time.

The most complicated thing about these muffins was the shredding of fresh fruit. The actual recipe uses apple, but I only had one, and didn’t want to use it for this, so I used a pear… since I had three of those… I suppose any fruit would do. The recipe also called for walnuts – which someone apparently ate all of over the past few days. So I subbed some dry cranberries for the nuts. Needless to say, this recipe falls under the “adapted from” category as you will see my changes noted.

The muffin is moist, dense and filling (note 2 cups of oats!). Your options for fruit and nut combinations are nearly endless. So far, they have held up well and even my picky kids ate one without complaining that it tasted healthy. Make extra or freeze the leftovers for a quick, on the go breakfast!

Fruit & Oatmeal Breakfast Muffins

(adapted from Good Housekeeping’s Supermarket Diet Cookbook, Winter 2011)

• 2 cups oats, old-fashioned or quick cooking
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour (160g)
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 cup buttermilk (I used lower fat)
• 2 T. vegetable oil
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1 cup shredded fresh fruit (1 large pear or apple will do)
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (I used dried cranberries)
• 1 handful white chocolate chips

Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 12 standard muffin-pan cups, or line with paper liners.

IN a large bowl, combine oats, flour, sugar, baking powder and soda, salt and cinnamon. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, with a fork, beat buttermilk, oil and egg until well blended; stir in shredded apples. Add apple mixture to flour mixture and stir just until the flour mixture is moistened (the batter will be very thick). Stir in chopped nuts.

Spoon batter into prepared muffin pan and drop 5 or 6 white chocolate chips onto the top of each muffin. Bake for 23 to 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Mine actually took 21 minutes exactly. Remove pan and remove muffins immediately. Serve warm or freeze for a quick breakfast.

Calories: 210, 7 grams fat, 1 gram saturated fat, 33 grams carbs, 18mg cholesterol, 320mg sodium, 3 grams fiber, and 5 grams protien. – Note these are for the original recipe, it does not taking into account my changes, although I am sure it is close.