Oat Bran Breakfast Muffins

3/4 c whole wheat flour
3/4 c oat bran cereal (or crushed bran flakes)
1/2 c brown sugar
1 ts baking powder
1 ts cinnamon
1/2 ts baking soda
1/3 c banana, mashed
1/2 c yogurt
2 egg whites or 1 whole egg
2 tbsp canola oil
1/2 ts vanilla
1/2 c carrots shredded
1/2 c dates or raisins or dried fruit of choice
1/2 cup almonds or walnuts or nut of choice, chopped

Mix all dry, then mix all wet in separate bowl. Combine both stirring until all moist. Fold in carrots, fruit and nuts. Grease or line muffin tins. Fill 2/3 the way full and bake at 400 for 18-20 minutes. These freeze well!

Variations:

I sub the following for the carrots sometimes: blueberries, rhubarb, applesauce, zucchini, peaches, pumpkin or squash.

Also you can use any flavor of yogurt for a different taste!

I also sub in 1/4 cup of honey for the brown sugar sometimes.

Sprinkle oats on top or add 1/4 c of oats to the mixture for some chewiness.

Add pumpkin pie spice in place of cinnamon when using pumpkin or squash, with vanilla yogurt.


- Sheena