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Hot Breakfast Challenge ~ Week One (Basic Muffin Recipe)

by Toni Herrbach

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It’s time for the Hot Breakfast Challenge weekly report. Have you ditched the cereal yet! Our week got off to a crazy start, but is starting to shape up.

On Sunday we had a few sick kids and a mom and dad that stayed up way too late. I usually am awake before the kids and have breakfast started but on Sunday those of us who were going to church were rushing around trying to get ready. Breakfast consisted of oatmeal, waffles, and anything you could get for yourself.

Oatmeal is actually a great breakfast that is cheap, fast and easy to make. I purchase my organic oats in bulk and pay $75 for 50 pounds. This works out to $0.33 per cup of oats. Non-organic oats cost half that much when purchased in bulk.

I use 3 cups of oats when making breakfast for our family so that works out to $1 plus the cost of toppings. My kids prefer brown sugar, but I am trying to switch them over to Blue Agave. Even with the topping our cost is still under $1.50 for breakfast.

Monday we had muffins and smoothies and today was pancakes. As I was making the muffins yesterday I wondered why I didn’t make muffins for breakfast more often. I can mix the batter, put in the oven, and then grab a quick shower while they are baking. Much more efficient than standing over a griddle flipping flapjacks for forty-five minutes! (sorry, couldn’t resist!)

Basic Muffin Recipe at The Happy Housewife

I like this muffin recipe because it is versatile, you can start with the base and add whatever ingredients you have on hand.

Print Recipe

Basic Muffin Recipe

Author: Toni Anderson

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour or whole wheat I use wheat
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 beaten egg
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup applesauce or cooking oil

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • In medium bowl, mix all ingredients together.
  • Add additional ingredients. (see notes below)
  • Bake for 10-12 minutes.
  • Muffins can be frozen then reheated in the microwave or oven.

Notes

If you want lemon poppy seed muffins just add lemon juice (about 1/4 cup) and poppy seeds. If you want blueberry muffins add a cup of blueberries. The choice is yours! I like cinnamon and brown sugar muffins. I scoop the batter in the cups and then sprinkle cinnamon and brown sugar on the top before I bake the muffins, yum!

 

 

Comments | 24 comments

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Comments

  1. Angel says

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    I agree. I am allergic to milk so cereal is a no-no. Not lactose intollerant (thats my hubby) but actually alergic to all dairy. Anyway I love waffles or grits in the mornings. Grits are very cheap and uses water so thats what i eat most of the time. My hubby eats oatmeal alot too. On Sat. we eat eggs when he’s home and don’t when he’s not. When he’s gone he eats whatever they serve him so I don’t really worry. And luckily my child eats school breakfast. She eats more when she’s w/ her friends.

    Reply
  2. kiy says

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    I linked up. I am looking for ideas, I feel like I feed our little gal the same things over and over for breakfast. She will eat almost anything (we are lucky!) so am hoping to see some good ideas!

    Cheers, Kiy

    Reply
  3. Jamie says

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    Saved the recipe…looks delicious and easy, too! I never really thought too much about the benefits of hot breakfasts…usually I give my daughter milk and cereal or fruit…and then let her eat it in my bed so I can get some extra sleep. Occasionally it’s oatmeal when I am feeling adventurous! I will have to try some of your ideas.

    Reply
  4. Sherry says

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    Ooh, these look delish! I agree pancakes are definitely time consuming. I’m looking forward to all the ideas. 😀

    Reply
  5. Kristen says

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    What a wonderful challenge! My breakfasts usually consist of a FiberOne bar or portable fruit (apple, orange, etc.) & I know they are lacking substance. I look forward to seeing all your wonderful ideas!

    Reply
  6. Stephanie says

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    I made baked oatmeal this morning for the kids. THEY LOVE IT!!!!

    Reply
  7. Julie says

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    This is a great muffin recipe. I add craisins but any add ins would be great!

    OATMEAL MUFFINS
    1 cup rolled oats
    1 cup flour
    1/2 teaspoon baking soda
    1 teaspoon baking powder
    1/3 cup butter, softened
    1 egg
    1 cup buttermilk or sour milk (1 cup slightly warm milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar)
    3/4-1 teaspoon salt
    1/2 cup white sugar or brown sugar (little bit less if the muffins are going to be topped with cinnamon sugar)
    cinnamon sugar, as topping (optional)

    Combine oats and buttermilk or sour milk in a bowl, mix and let stand 1 hour.
    Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.
    Cream together butter and sugar with an electric mixer.
    Add the egg and beat until light and fluffy.
    Add to the flour mix and stir.
    Add the oat and sour milk mix and stir until just combined.
    Fill a greased muffin tin (mine is for 12 small muffins, 2 and 3/4 inches in diameter in the widest part).
    Top with a little cinnamon sugar if desired.
    Bake at 400o Farenheit for 20 minutes.
    The muffins are ready when a stick inside them comes out clean.

    Reply
  8. momstheword says

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    It looks yummy! I had oatmeal for breakfast today but that muffin sure sounds good.

    Reply
  9. Jennifer says

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    LOL today was a rare day that we had cereal for breakfast. Usually it is muffins. Except I make mine the night before while dinner is cooking and they are ready to go first thing. I just wish my kids liked oatmeal.

    Reply
  10. JustAnotherSAHM says

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    I love mix ’em up muffins! Nice to have a good base so you can just toss in whatever is on hand. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s recipes!

    Reply
  11. Simply Sara says

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    Mmmmm, I’m digging the cinnamon and brown sugar muffin idea! I’m definitely going to try those.
    Thanks for hosting such a *yummy* link!

    Reply
  12. Organizing Mommy says

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    Hey! We hardly EVER indulge in cold cereal–way too expensive to eat regularly. I do like grapenuts though. I can not imagine that little batch of muffins feeds your family? I would have to quadruple that amount for my crew (teenage boys).. Does homemade bread toasted count for HOT? It is so yummy.

    Reply
  13. Sherri says

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    I think I gave you a recipe for baked oatmeal when you came to visit. Have you tried it yet? I use brown sugar that is 1/2 Splenda and applesauce instead of oil. It can be served sliced on a plate like banana bread or chopped up in a bowl with milk.
    Have a great trip!

    Reply
  14. Ranee @ Arabian Knits says

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    Thank you for doing this, I’m enjoying reading other people’s contributions and ideas. I really liked the recipe for the puff pancake, but couldn’t figure out how to leave her a comment. So, thank you pancake lady!

    Reply
  15. Andrea says

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    Hi there 🙂
    I made the lemon poppyseed muffins, with wholewheat flour, and my whole family loved them. I love that this is such a quick recipe.
    Thank you 🙂

    Reply
  16. Aunt T says

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    I made these muffins last night and they were great! Super easy. I made a few blueberry and the rest brown sugar & cinnamon.

    Reply
  17. Alice says

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    This recipe is great and so easy. I did it with my tot (3 years old) and just posted it on my blog http://aliceayel.posterous.com/blueberry-muffins
    Thank you so much 🙂

    Reply
  18. Shynea says

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    I am trying really hard to participate in this meme. I have been cooking hot breakfast four to five days out of the week. I thank you so much for this muffin recipe because I love making muffins for my family, but I usually get the prepackaged mix. Now that I have a recipe that allows me to cook from scratch, I can make all kinds of combinations. I’m thinking apple cinnamon and strawberry cheesecake.

    Reply
  19. Laura@HeavenlyHomemakers says

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    GOOD grief…I had every intention of coming over here and linking up some breakfast ideas…then I remembered way too late. Maybe next week!! 🙂

    Reply
  20. Kristin says

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    I just stumbled upon your blog the other day. I think this is such a great idea. I have recently begun making large batches of muffins and whole wheat waffles to freeze, so this was such an appealing idea.

    Reply
  21. Candi says

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    I made a couple of different things this week…baked oatmeal, cream of wheat,eggs/toast/sausage, biscuits/bacon & donuts. I posted about the donuts…not that it’s healthy but it’s a special treat for the kids 🙂

    Reply
  22. Celine says

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    Waffles every week! We love them. I’d love to spend less on cereals…I will be watching this post. Here’s my blog entry regarding our tradition of “Waffle Thursday”:
    http://justgotobed.blogspot.com/2008/04/waffle-thursday.html

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Menu Plan Week of March 23rd | The Happy Housewife says:
    at

    […] Muffins, Pancakes, Oatmeal, Bagels, Cereal […]

    Reply
  2. Tackle Tomorrow’s Breakfast Tonight : The Finer Things in Life says:
    at

    […] Grocery Cart Challenge recipe swap is another fun resource, and The Happy Housewife is hosting a Hot Breakfast Challenge, as is Five J’s. Category: Kitchen Tip Tuesday, Organization, RecipesTags: breakfast […]

    Reply

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