This week, muffins have just made it better. The “it” being studying, snacking, breakfast preparing, everything. Between all of this studying, I needed a pick-me up. Is it just me, or does anyone else ever feel like they just NEED a muffin? Or a sweet little pick-me-up of some kind? I feel like this pretty much all the time thanks to my massive sweet-tooth, but when you add being in the middle of finals on-top of a sweet-tooth, my cravings have been out-of-control. Things got even worse this past weekend after seeing ‘National Donut Day’ mentioned on nearly every blog I read! After seeing picture after picture of delicious-looking donuts popping up, there was no question that I had to bake something for a Sunday brunch and get-me-through-the-week treat. With no Dunkin’ Donuts or Krispy Kreme’s in Australia, Brandon and I were out of luck on the donut front, but not on the muffin front. This week, homemade muffins have just made studying better, and I’m very thankful for that!
These aren’t just any muffins, these are Blueberry Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins, and they are definitely a healthier alternative to your traditional bakery muffin. I combined three of my favorite things for these muffins: blueberries, oats, and cinnamon. The result was a tasty, sweet and satisfying baked treat. These are perfectly good to eat on their own, but I’ve also been crumbling mine on top of my oatmeal in the mornings, as well as eating them warm as a snack, too.
Need for muffins=fulfilled : –)
Blueberry Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins
makes 12 muffins
1 cup rolled oats
1 cup milk, divided (I used skim)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ cup whole wheat flour
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup cinnamon chips (or chips of your choice- I used Hershey’s Cinnamon Chips)
Directions
1)Preheat oven to 350 F (176 degrees Celsius), and line 12 muffin tins with muffin liners.
2) Add the oats to a small mixing bowl and add 1/2 cup of milk. Let the oats soak for 5-10 minutes, while you prepare the first few steps of the muffins.
3) In a large bowl, combine the egg and brown sugar and whisk together until it’s smooth and caramel in color.
4)Next, add in the vanilla and the butter (make sure it’s at room temperature), whisking well. Try to smooth the batter as much as possible; there still may be some small butter chunks but try to get as many out as you can.
5)Add the flour, soaking oats, baking soda and cinnamon to the mixture and stir it all-together. Add the remaining 1/2 cup milk and combine until smooth.
6) Now fold in the blueberries and cinnamon chips (or the chips of your choice). Be careful not to over-mix.
6)Spoon the batter evenly into each muffin tin. Sprinkle the top of each with cinnamon sugar if desired. (I like to do this because it adds a nice crunch to the top! )Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until cooked through.
Cinnamon-sugar topping
Finished Product!
These muffins are delicious whether they’re served warm or cold, and the possibilities for toppings are endless. Enjoy them with margarine, a nut-butter, jam, plain or with topper of your choice, it’s up to you!
What’s your favorite muffin?
At a bakery, my favorite is a coffee-cake muffin. Blueberry is a close runner-up!
When do you crave sweets the most?
I crave sweets in the worst way when I’m stressed!
P.S. Countdown to home: 9 days : –)
Ahh these look so yummy! I’m glad they’re helping you get through your days! blueberries are soooo good and they’re so good for you too! I like the cinnamon sugar on top. Yum! Yay, 9 days!!!!! :-D
Oh YUM these look sooo good. I LOVE blueberry muffins, especially when there are huge blueberries bursting through. is there anything better in life? i dont think so. good luck studying for finals!!
OH my gosh the flavors in this muffin are perfect!! Blueberry muffins are my favorite, and followed by the coffee cake..so combining the flavors from both is genius!! I definitely crave sweets more when I am stressed.
You are SO right! Muffins definitely make it better! My favorites (I cannot choose just one!) are pumpkin, lemon poppy seed, and chocolate chip! :)
Oh my these sound delicious girl!! And ahh 9 days!!!! So close!!!
Yum! I like the cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top! I crave sweets all the time. :) My favorite muffin is definitely the chocolate chip. So good!
Ooh, those Blueberry Cinnamon Oatmeal Muffins sound and look Heavenly! :) And it has 3 of my Favorite things – blueberries, oats and cinnamon! In other words, I def. have to try this recipe. Thanks for sharing!!
Yum those look really good, and not too difficult to make! I love muffins!
Yum! These look so good, Merry!
And how exciting that it’s almost time to go back home to visit!!
I’m a banana muffin girl – but I also love carrot muffins!
This is my kind of muffin!!! Blueberry has always been my favorite but I also love banana walnut (homemade of course). Great recipe Meredith!
Delicious!
And just so you know…there is actually a Krispy Kremes in the Melbourne Airport! And Adelaide (where I live) will be opening a shop up soon, too. So you can get a fix if you realllllly want one!
PS- I’m visiting home in 16 days; I totally feel your excitement!
OMG I LOVE MUFFINS!!! haha Donuts? meh. but muffins? yes, please! My friend JP got me the Lulu water bottle that says “I work out” on the front and “because I like muffins, not muffin tops” on the back. so fitting. good luck with your finals!!
Yum! These look delicious.
Good luck on finals!