Oatmeal Date Nut Muffins

Quick and Easy Vegetarian or Vegan Muffin Recipe: Oatmeal Date Nut Muffins (dairy) (vegan version)

18 medium muffins: Fill the pans to the top - the muffins should double in size. Try chopped fresh cranberries and orange peel instead of the dates. For vegan muffins, substitute rice or soy milk, soy sour cream or soy yogurt for the dairy yogurt, and the juice of a lemon for part of the total liquid. Use oil or veggie spread instead of butter. Works like a charm!

Muffin Ingredients:

• 2 cups quick oats
• 1 c chopped nuts - walnuts and/or pecans
• 1 c. chopped dates
• 1 1/4 c. plain yogurt
• 1 1/4 c warm water
• 1/2 c melted butter or oil
• 1/2 c whole wheat or spelt flour
• 1 c unbl wh fl
• 1 Tblsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/3 c. unbleached cane sugar or brown sugar
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Muffin Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees & oil 2 muffin pans, eighteen cups total
2. Mix the oatmeal, yogurt and water, set aside
3. Chop the nuts and dates and add them to the oatmeal with the melted butter or oil
4. Mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl
5. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet, and mix lightly with just a few strokes
6. Spoon the mixture evenly into the muffin cups
7. Bake for 20 - 25 min, middle of the oven, until browned & firm to the touch
8. Cool on a rack for 5 minutes, then run a knife around the edges of the muffins & turn them out on the rack. May be eaten immediately.