Apple Cranberry Bran Muffins

I love to cook!

I don’t love to cook during my first trimester!

I don’t enjoy holding my nose during the preparation process, so the scents don’t make me gag!

I don’t enjoy smelling the meal as it’s cooking.

I certainly won’t eat the meal if I’ve had to endure preparing and cooking it while holding my nose and breathing through my mouth.

Therefore, I’ve probably cooked 3 meals in 4 weeks.  My poor husband.

I did, however, make some of my most favorite muffins this week.  We have Vacation Bible School all week and I knew I needed a fast, hearty breakfast that I could grab on my way out the door.  I’ve been making these muffins for years and for some reason they sounded good to me this week…plus they are SO good for you!

Apple Cranberry Bran Muffins

What you need:

Fiber One Cereal, Milk, Applesauce, Vanilla, Whole Wheat Flour, All-Purpose Flour, Baking Soda, Baking Powder, Salt, Sugar, Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Eggs, Craisins, Apples

In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 Sleeve of Fiber One Cereal, Milk, Applesauce, and Vanilla.  Set aside for at least 5 minutes or until cereal starts to soften.

In another bowl, combine Whole Wheat Flour, All-Purpose Flour, Sugar, Baking Soda, Baking Powder, Salt, Cinnamon, Nutmeg.

Stir to combine…or let your cute little maniac do it.  I had a lot of help from Lilly Katherine with this recipe! :)

Add eggs to the Cereal mixture.

Mix well to combine.

Add the dry ingredients and the Craisins.

Peel and dice 2 apples into small little pieces.  I used Gala.  Just use whatever apples you like.  I prefer sweet and don’t understand how anyone can eat a Granny Smith, but whatever floats your boat!

Add apples.  If you want to go crazy and add other fruit, go for it!  I’ve been known to throw in a banana, but I never add nuts.  I guess if you want to ruin the muffins you can add nuts…if you’re that kind of cook! :)

STIR and STIR until all ingredients are combined.

This looks like it will make a million muffins, however it makes about 18.  The muffins don’t rise or spread as they cook.  Just fill your muffin tins to the height of a cooked muffin.  I use paper liners because I’m lazy.  Feel free to grease and flour each little muffin hole if God gave you a lot more time and patience than this Real Housewife!

Cook at 375° for about 20-25 minutes.

Pure Health!  No oil.  Lots of fiber!  And they really do taste good!

I might have put a little bit of butter on the muffin…just for the picture, of course.

Don’t judge!  I usually don’t add butter, but it just sounded sooo good! :)  (and it was sooo good!)  I guess that takes the “healthy factor” down a notch or two.  Oh well, indulge sometimes.  You deserve it!

Apple Cranberry Bran Muffin Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 Cups (or one sleeve) Fiber One Bran Cereal
• 1/2 Cup Low-Fat Milk
• 3 Cups Unsweetened Applesauce
• 2 tsp Vanilla
• 2 Whole Eggs
• 2 Egg Whites
• 1 1/2 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
• 1 Cup All Purpose Flour
• 1 Cup Sugar
• 1 tsp Baking Soda
• 2 Tbsp Baking Powder
• 3/4 tsp Salt
• 2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp Nutmeg
• 1 Cup Craisins
• 2 Apples

In large mixing bowl, combine Fiber One Cereal, Milk, Applesauce, and Vanilla.  Set aside for at least 5 minutes or until cereal softens.  In a separate bowl, combine Whole Wheat Flour, All Purpose Flour, Sugar, Baking Soda, Baking Powder, Salt, Cinnamon, and Nutmeg.  Stir to combine.

Add 2 Whole Eggs and 2 Egg Whites to cereal mixture.  Mix well to combine and break up cereal.

Peel and dice 2 Apples.  Add flour mixture, Craisins, and Apples to cereal mixture.  Stir with spoon until completely combined.

Scoop large portions into greased and floured (or paper lined) muffin cups.  They will not rise or spread, so fill to the desired size of end product.  Should fill about 18 muffin cups.  Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on top.