Apple Oatmeal Whole Wheat Muffins

We recently wrapped up a unit study on apples, just in time for fall!  I have to admit, I am in denial that summer is almost over.  It is my favorite season, and I always get a bit depressed when it comes to an end.  One of the ways I get past my fall blues is by embracing all the wonderful colors and fragrances and tastes that autumn has to offer.  We have a giant apple tree in our backyard, so we cook with apples often.  Here is one of my favorite recipes the big boys and I enjoy making together.

Ingredients:

Streusel Topping

2/3 cup old-fashioned oats

1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

2 tablespoons butter, melted

Muffin Batter

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup old-fashioned oats

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup unsweetened applesauce*

1/2 cup milk

2 carrots**

1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 cup canola oil

1 large egg

*We had a small amount of apple butter left that needed to be used, so I substituted apple butter for the applesauce this time.

**If you don't have a Vitamix or comparable machine steam and puree carrots before preparing the muffin batter.

Preheat over to 400 degrees and prepare a 12 cup muffin tin.

Stir together oats, sugar and cinnamon for streusel topping then combine the melted butter.

Combine flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, chia seeds and cinnamon for the batter and set aside.

Add the applesauce, milk, carrots, sugar, oil and egg to the Vitamix.  If you don't have a Vitamix, simply combine the ingredients in a separate bowl.

Blend until combination is smooth.

Combine wet and dry ingredients then pour into prepared muffin tin.

Sprinkle streusel topping over muffin batter and bake for 18-20 minutes.  We love to bake and enjoy sharing our favorite recipes.  There are so many lessons to be learned in the kitchen, so I encourage my boys to cook beside me daily.