Today’s Spotlight is on Oatmeal Muffins.

Muffins are a type of quick bread that are baked in a pan with cup-sized indentations. They are made with a batter of flour, eggs, liquid, and oil. Baking powder is used as a leavening agent to help the batter rise in the pan when baking.

Muffins are usually sweet and somewhat moist, but heavier than a cake or cupcake.  They are round with a wider top that is dome shaped. The texture is light and moist with a tender crumb. The exterior of a muffin tends to have a slightly crusty top, adding a delightful contrast to the soft interior.

Muffins are so easy to make, that if you are a beginner, after cookies, they should be the next baked good to make.

 

History

The word “muffin” may come from the Low German word “muffe” which means “little cake”. The first written recipe for a muffin was printed in the 18th century. English muffins may date back to the 10th or 11th century in Wales. They were traditionally made with leftover yeast dough and served at teatime with butter or jam. They were called “tea cakes”.

Samuel Bath Thomas is credited with creating the Original “Nooks & Crannies®” English Muffin in 1880. He used a top-secret process that included griddle baking to create a muffin that was crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside. He later opened his own bakery in New York City.

Oatmeal muffins date back to medieval times when oats were a major component in many dishes. Recipes for oatmeal muffins began to appear in American cookbooks in the mid-1800s. Americans began adding healthier foods into their diets, so the addition of oats to create oatmeal muffins was born.

Oatmeal muffins are often made with antioxidant-rich ingredients. Oats contain antioxidant compounds called avenanthramides, which help prevent inflammatory conditions, like asthma and arthritis, and lower blood pressure. Oatmeal muffins are enjoyed around the world, with variations ranging from sweet to savory flavors.

They often contain fruit, nuts, and spices. Raisins, bananas, blueberries, and other healthy fruits often complement oatmeal muffins. Add nuts for even more health benefits and texture, too.

 

Here are some fun facts about oatmeal muffins:

• Oatmeal muffins are often made with antioxidant-rich ingredients.
• They can be made sweet or savory.
• The most popular muffin flavors are blueberry and banana nut.
• They are one of the best weight loss breakfast options available.
• One homemade oatmeal muffin contains 170 calories.
• Soaking oats with milk can help make oatmeal muffins moist.

Oatmeal muffins are high in fiber, which helps keep people full for longer. They also contain indigestible carbohydrates known as beta-glucans, which can steal moisture from the muffin.

 

Here is an oatmeal muffin recipe for you to try:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats.
• 1 cup milk¹
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/3 cup oil²
• 2/3 cup light brown sugar³ packed.
• 2 large eggs lightly beaten.
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt⁴
• Sparkling or raw sugar optional

 

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
2. Combine the oats and milk in a large bowl.
3. Add the maple syrup, oil, brown sugar, and eggs. Mix until combined.
4. Stir in the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt just until combined. The batter will be wet.
5. Divide the batter between the prepared muffin tins.
6. Sprinkle sugar over batter, if using.
7. Bake for 18-25 minutes, or until the muffins spring back when lightly pressed.
8. Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes.
9. Remove to wire rack to finish cooling.
10. Enjoy!

 

Celebrating Oatmeal Muffins

National Oatmeal Muffin Day is celebrated on December 19 every year to appreciate the country’s most popular snack. Let us know in the comments if you would rather buy or bake your oatmeal muffins.