Oatmeal & Raisin Bran Muffins

This is truly a decadent muffin.  If you aren't watching your calories . . .this one is for you.  Each muffin is about 200 calories. . . .but man, oh man . . .delicious!!

Oatmeal and Raisin Bran Muffins

Yield:  12 Muffins

Ingredients:

3 Cups Bran Flake Cereal

1 and 1/2 Cups Buttermilk

1 Cup Flour

1/2 Cup Oatmeal

1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1/4 Teaspoon Salt

1 Egg, Beaten

2 Tablespoons Oil

1/2 Cup Honey

1/2 Cup Raisins

Step 1:  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.  Line muffin tin with paper muffin liners.

Step 2:  In a large bowl, add the bran flake cereal and the buttermilk.  Stir.  Add in the oil, egg and honey.  Stir to combine.

Step 3:  In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients:  flour, oatmeal, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and raisins.

Step 4:  Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients.  Mix to combine.

Step 5:  Disperse the batter among the muffin tin.  They will be full!  

Step 6:  Place the muffin tin into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean.   

Oatmeal Raisin Muffins

Yep, here I am again with oats.  You are likely thinking that my alias is The Crazy Oatmeal Lady.  Seriously, I love oats.  It's my preferred grain.  I just love the flavor! Anyhow, here is a low-sugar oatmeal raisin muffin - made with honey and no oil.  Not crazy about raisins?  Substitute chocolate chips or craisins etc.  These are perfect for brunch, a snack or a breakfast on the go!  Light and fluffy, you will be sure to enjoy.

Oatmeal Raisin Muffins

Serves 12

Ingredients:

1 Cup Old-Fashioned Oats

1 Cup All Purpose Flour

1 Tablespoon Baking Powder

3/4 Teaspoon Salt

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1/2 Cup Raisins

1/3 Cup Applesauce

1/4 Cup Honey

1 Teaspoon Vanilla

1 Egg

1 Cup Milk

Step 1:  Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.  Prepare your muffin tin by spraying really well with oil or by lining it with paper muffin cups.

Step 2:  In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients:  oats, flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and raisins.  Mix well.  Set aside.

Step 3:  In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients: applesauce, honey, vanilla, egg and milk.  Stir until well combined.  

Step 4:  Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.  

Step 5:  Disperse the batter evenly among the muffin tin.  Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Healthier Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Yep, me and my oatmeal . . back at it again!  I'm beginning to think that my face should be on the oatmeal canister . . .but nobody wants to see that ;)  Any how, I ran across this recipe on Pinterest  and it intrigued me.  So, I modified it a bit to what I had in the house (regular oats, not quick cooking ones) - and it resulted in soft, puffy-yet-chewy, super yummy cookies.  I also used honey as the sweetener (which is different than the original recipe as well).  Furthermore, I portioned my cookies out with a tablespoon-sized scooper - and the recipe then yielded 21 cookies for me.  If you are an oatmeal raisin fan and love a more healthy alternative to the traditional recipe - this one is for you!  And truth be told  . ..I've been eating them for breakfast.  Hey, they are oatmeal and fruit!

Healthier Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Approximately 20 Cookies

Ingredients:

1 Cups Oats

3/4 Cup + 1 Tablespoon All Purpose Flour 

1 1/2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

1 1/2 Teaspoons Ground Cinnamon

1/8 Teaspoon Salt

2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, Melted

1 Large Egg

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

1/2 Cup Honey

1/4 Cup Raisins

Step 1:  In a large bowl, combine the the oats, flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Stir until well combined. 

Step 2:  In a separate bowl, add the melted butter, egg and vanilla stir until well combined.  Next, add in the honey and stir until combined.

Step 3:  Pour the liquid mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients.  Mix until just incorporated.  Fold in the raisins. Place in the fridge and let it chill for 30 minutes.  This will give the oats time to soften and have the batter turn thick and more dough-like.

Step 4:  Preheat the oven to 325°Fahrenheit.  Prepare a baking sheet as needed.  Scoop out the cookie dough - 1 Tablespoon at a time.  They will spread a little, so don't put them too close together (no need to flatten them).  Bake at 325°F for 9-10 minutes, just until the edges are beginning to slightly brown. Remove from the oven and cool on the pan for 10 minutes before removing them.  Once removed, let them finish cooling before putting away.

Oatmeal, Apple and Raisin Muffins

These muffins are moist, slightly sweet and ring in right around 130 calories each.  Gotta love that!  I found the originally recipe here but of course, had to put my own twist on it.  My hubby and I have eaten these all week for breakfast - very delicious.  Finally a muffin that isn't a cupcake!

Oatmeal, Apple & Raisin Muffins

Yield:  18 muffins

Ingredients:

2 Cups Buttermilk

1 Cup Oatmeal

2 Eggs

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

1 Medium Apple, Shredded - do not peel

1 Cup Whole Wheat Flour

2/3 Cup Regular White Flour

1 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1 Teaspoon Baking Powder

3/4 Teaspoon Salt

2/3 Cup Raisins

1/2 Cup Chopped Nuts (I used almonds)

Step 1:  Preheat the oven to 375 degree Fahrenheit.  Prepare muffin pan(s) by either greasing them really well or lining them with cupcake papers.  Set aside.

Step 2:  In a large bowl, mix together the buttermilk, oatmeal, eggs, brown sugar and shredded apple.  Once combined, add in the remaining ingredients.  Stir until just blended.

Step 3:  Disperse the muffin batter among the prepared pans.  I always use an ice cream scoop to measure out (1 scoop per muffin).  Place in oven and bake 25-30 minutes.  

After completely cooled, store the muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator.  For a nice treat, when serving - split in half, lightly butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

I have this love of oatmeal that is in-explainable.  I am at a loss of words for how I feel about it.  It makes me who I am today.  It completes me.  

Although, I must admit . . .I don't like prepared oatmeal aka a bowl of mush.  Yuck.  Can't stand it (it's a texture thing).   I do enjoy oatmeal in all other forms though:  granola, pancakes, cookies, breads, muffins, etc etc etc.  

And thus, I was searching for a new breakfast option.  The protein bars I so love are a little bit spendy.  So, I thought I would try to find something else to have for breakfast.  I'm not a health nut by any means.  But, I do love oatmeal and I like something sweet in the mornings.  As well, it must keep me full until lunch time.  These seem to fit the ticket for me.  I tweaked this recipe.  Next time, I may try to sub some applesauce in place of the oil.

Oatmeal Breakfast Bars

Ingredients:

4 Cups Oatmeal

1.5 Cups Flour

1 Cup Brown Sugar

1/2 Cup White Sugar

1 Teaspoon Cinnamon

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

4 Eggs

3/4 Cup Canola Oil

3/4 Cup Raisins

3/4 Cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

3/4 Cup Coconut Flakes (unsweetened)

Step 1:  Preheat oven to 350 degree Fahrenheit.  Measure out the dry ingredients into a large bowl (oatmeal, flour, both sugars, salt and cinnamon).  Stir together to combine.

Step 2:  Add the eggs and oil to the dry ingredients.  It may be a little tough to mix together using a spoon - I  ended up using my hands to mix it all together.

Step 3:  Add in the raisins, chocolate chips and coconut.  Mix well.  Holy Moly . .. does this look good already or what?!?!?!?!

Step 4:  Spray a 9x13 cake pan and press mixture into the pan.

Bake for 20-25 minutes - until it is slightly puffy and the edges are starting to turn golden.

I cut the pan into 24 bars.  1 bar = 240 calories, 2 grams fiber and 5 grams of protein.  And they are delicious!!!