Good Morning Muffins

I'm not a big breakfast person.  I know, I know, it's the most important meal of the day.  But, I'm really more of a coffee and a muffin kinda gal (actually, a coffee and more coffee kinda gal).  I do like a muffin now and again.  Here are a few muffin recipes that pack as much nutritional punch as possible.

This recipe uses bran flake cereal so these muffins are full of fiber.  The applesauce helps to keep them really moist, too.

APPLESAUCE BRAN MUFFINS

1 1/2 cups flour
1 TBS baking powder
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup applesauce
2 1/2 cups bran flake cereal
1 1/4 cups milk
1 egg
1/3 cup oil
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  In a large bowl, mix bran flakes and milk.  Set aside for a few minutes until soft.  Stir flour, baking powder, sugar and salt together.  Set aside.  Add egg and oil to softened bran flakes and beat well.  Add flour mixture to bran flake mixture and stir gently.  Only enough to combine.  Do not over mix!  Gently fold in applesauce, cinnamon and vanilla.  Evenly portion into 12 muffin cups lined with liners.  Bake at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.

I saw this next recipe on the television show, Hungry Girl.  Just a warning, you're probably going to think it's weird.  I did.  But, I like weird so I had to try it.  Believe it or not, it works and it's yummy!  Plus, it's packed with fiber and vitamins.  The original recipe didn't add the chocolate chips, but a little extra chocolate never hurt anybody.

GUILT-FREE BROWNIE MUFFINS

1 box devil's food cake mix
1 (15oz) can pumpkin (not pie filling mix - just plain pumpkin)
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Stir cake mix and pumpkin together (It'll be thick and you're gonna think you need something else, but you don't.  Just the mix and the pumpkin).  Once it's well combined, stir in chocolate chips.  Spray muffin tin with cooking spray and divide batter evenly into 12 muffin cups.   Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

These are fudgy and delicious and good for you!  No one needs to know they are made with pumpkin! (like your kids or a picky husband)  A treat that's secretly good for you.  I love that!

So, whether you're making good morning muffins or after-school snacks, these recipes fit the bill.  Enjoy!