Apple Breakfast Muffins, 4 Grain Pancakes or Waffles,and Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Muffins

Here are a couple of quick recipes that can be for breakfast or snacks. I like making muffins. They are fast and easy and the individual portions are nice. Everybody can just grab one and they pack easily in lunches. They can also be frozen and make a nice grab and go breakfast.
My friend made this Apple Bread recipe into muffins at a recent get together and they were so good, that everyone was requesting the recipe. She had made a few changes, like using all whole wheat flour and half brown sugar and I made another change by replacing half of the butter with unsweetened applesauce. Really a great, moist muffin.
The pancake recipe is one I have been making for years and you can also replace the melted butter with unsweetened applesauce if you want a lower fat breakfast. I love pancakes that have a little texture and the different grains in these make them fabulous. The batter can also be made into waffles.
The chocolate muffins I made for my son's birthday breakfast a couple of weeks ago. I thought it was a great way to get a little chocolate in for breakfast. He did too.
It makes a ton of muffins, but they will disappear quickly because they are soo good!

Apple Breakfast Bread or Muffins from All recipes

1/2 cup butter ( I replaced half of the butter with unsweetened applesauce and mixed it in with the eggs)

1 cup sugar ( I used half brown sugar, and half white sugar)

2 eggs1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

2 cups all-purpose flour ( I used whole wheat flour instead)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 apples - peeled, cored and chopped ( I shredded my apples and left the peel on)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Lightly grease an 8x4 inch loaf pan or muffin tin, if making muffins.

In a bowl, beat the butter and sugar until smooth and creamy. Beat in the eggs and applesauce, if using.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and cloves.

Beat into the butter mixture until moistened. Fold in the apples.

Transfer to the prepared pan.Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven for the quick bread or 20-24 minutes for the muffins, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

4 Grain Pancakes or Waffles adapted from Better Homes and Gardens

3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/3 cup quick-cooking oats
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups low-fat buttermilk
1/3 cup melted butter or unsweetened applesauce
3 T maple syrup
2 eggs, beaten

1. In a large bowl, combine all ingredients; stir until large lumps disappear. (Batter will be thick. Thin pancakes with a little water or milk
2. Heat griddle and spray with cooking spray. Pour about 1/4 cup batter onto hot griddle. Cook 2 1/2 or 3 minutes or until edges look cooked and bubbles begin to break on surface. Turn pancakes; cook 2 to 2 1/2 minutes or until golden brown.

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins from Taste of Home

-makes 32 muffins

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour

1 3/4 cups packed brown sugar

1/2 cup baking cocoa

1 1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

2 egg whites

1 egg

2 cups unsweetened applesauce

1 3/4 cups fat-free milk

2 Tbls canola oil

2 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl combine the flours, brown sugar, cocoa, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. In another bowl, whisk the egg whites, egg, applesauce, milk, oil and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips.

Coat muffin cups with cooking spray. Fill 3/4ths full with batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve warm.

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