Healthy Oatmeal Applesauce Muffins

I love muffins. With the exception of lemon-poppyseed, I don't think I have ever had a muffin I didn't like. Unfortunately, muffins are not usually very good for you, especially the enormous ones that they sell at places like Giant or Costco (if you look at the nutrition facts, 1 serving is 1/3 of a muffin! I have never seen someone eat only 1/3!) I used to buy the Trader Joe's healthy muffins, but there was always something strange tasting about them. So I decided to make my own. I found this base recipe on a blog and made some modifications. My most recent modification was actually Christina's suggestion- substituting vanilla yogurt for oil, and it worked really well! They are relatively low fat and high in fiber from the oatmeal. Since Hirsh doesn't eat muffins, I make them and freeze them and microwave one before Saturday morning jazzercise-- a perfect pre-workout snack!

Healthy Oatmeal Applesauce Muffins

1 1/2 C oatmeal

1 1/4 C flour

3/4 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp baking soda

1 C applesauce

1/2 C skim milk

1/2 C brown sugar

3 tbsp vanilla yogurt

2 tbsp oil

1 egg

1/2 C raisins (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. Combine oatmeal, flour, cinnamon, baking powder and baking soda.

3. Add applesauce, milk, brown sugar, yogurt, oil, egg and raisins.

4. Line muffin tins with papers or spray with non-stick spray.

5. Fill muffin tins about 3/4 full (makes 12-15 muffins).

6. Bake for 20 minutes.

7. Let cool and then remove from muffin tins.

8. Freezes very well!

Difficulty: Easy

Debbie's Rating: 10! (I love the vanilla yogurt-oil substitution. Adds flavor with no change in texture! Thanks again Christina!)

Hirsh's Rating: Hirsh doesn't eat muffins!