Blueberry Oat Muffins

Blueberry Oat Muffin for the weekend. Photos by SDeluz

A muffin is an American English name for a type of bread that is baked in small portions. Many forms are somewhat like small cakes or cupcakes in shape, although they usually are not as sweet as cupcakes and generally lack frosting. Savory varieties, such as cornbread muffins, also exist. They generally fit in the palm of an adult hand, and are intended to be consumed by an individual in a single sitting.

Outside the United States of America, muffin can also refer to a disk-shaped muffin, usually called an English Muffinoutside of England. As American-style muffins are also sold in Commonwealth countries, the term muffin can refer to either product, with the context usually making clear which is meant.

There are many varieties and flavors of muffins made with a specific ingredient such as blueberries, chocolate chips,cucumbers, raspberry, cinnamon, pumpkin, date, nut, lemon, banana, orange, peach, strawberry, boysenberry,almond, and carrot, baked into the muffin. Muffins are often eaten for breakfast; alternatively, they may be served for teaor at other meals.

A friend of mine is travelling for the holidays and gave me most of the stuff in her fridge. One of these is a jar of blueberry. Good thing it's a weekend and I have all the time to bake. Made my first batch of blueberry muffins and I love it! I know there are other revisions of this recipe without oats that might be good to try and share as well. We don't close our doors for new recipes. The more, the better! 

Ingredients:

1/2 cup oats 

1/2 cup orange juice 

1 egg 

1/2 cup vegetable oil 

1/2 cup sugar 

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 

1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder 

1/2 teaspoon salt 

1/4 teaspoon baking soda 

1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries* 

TOPPING: 

4 tablespoons sugar 

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
                       10 gms butter

Procedure:

1. In a large bowl, combine oats and orange juice; let stand for 5 minutes. 

2. Beat the egg, oil and sugar until blended. Add the oats mixture.

3. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Mix into oat mixture.

4. Fold in blueberries. 

5. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full or 2 tbsp each. 

6. Bake at 400 degrees F (or 200deg C) for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. 


7. While baking, prepare topping mixture. Add all topping mixture in a bowl and microwave for 50 secs 800 watts. Mix and brush on top of each muffin right after taking out from the oven. 


8. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack.

* If using frozen blueberries, do not thaw before mixing with batter.

This yielded 15 muffins for me. Don't be scared to substitute orange juice to any available juice in your fridge. This is a soft and moist treat for the weekend get-away. Healthier as well with the addition of oats!