healthy oat bran muffins

makes 12 muffins
(please read comments for variation & calorie info)

1c unprocessed wheat bran
2/3 c flour
2/3 c oat flour*
1 1/4 tsp baking soda
1/8 tsp salt
1 1/4 c buttermilk
1/2 c demerara sugar (also called turbinado or raw sugar)*
1/4 c no sugar added or unsweetened applesauce
1 large egg
1 1/2 tbs canola oil
1 tsp vanilla
1/4 c cranberries (or raisins), optional
1/4 c walnuts, optional

preheat oven to 350 degrees F; spray muffin trays with non-stick cooking spray

mix together the dry ingredients (in a large bowl): bran, flours, baking soda, salt. add in walnuts and cranberries.

in another bowl (with high sides), using an electric mixer on high, mix together the wet ingredients until frothy: buttermilk, sugar, applesauce, egg, oil, vanilla.

make a well in the dry ingredients, and pour in the wet. fold wet ingredients into dry until just combined. be careful not to over-mix.

fill muffin trays, and bake for 20 minutes. be careful to over-cook (bran dries out quickly!).


*oat flour can be made by pulsing oats in a food processor; 1/4 c of the sugar can be replaced with honey

red velvet cupcakes

this recipe is my slight modification of paula deen's slight modification of cakeman raven's red velvet cake recipe.
link to the cakeman's original recipe

recipe makes 24 cupcakes







to make the batter:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1-2 teaspoons cocoa powder
1 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups buttermilk, room temperature
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

to make the frosting:
1/2 pound cream cheese, softened
1 stick of butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners' sugar (or less, to taste)

preheat oven to 350 degrees F, and spray/line muffin trays

in one bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder

in another bowl, whisk together oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla

slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet, whisking until all the ingredients are just incorporated

fill the muffin trays about 2/3 of the way, and bake 20 minutes, turning the trays halfway though (cool completely before frosting)


to make the frosting:
beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. increase the speed to high, and mix until light and fluffy

garnish with nuts, coconut, or fruit (optional)