Banana-Date Muffins

Bake a fruity muffin with a whole-grain boost from Banana Nut Cheerios® cereal. MORE+ LESS-

2 1/2

cups Banana Nut Cheerios™ cereal

1 1/4

cups all-purpose flour

1/3

cup packed brown sugar

teaspoon baking soda

1/4

teaspoon salt

cup buttermilk

1/4

cup canola oil

1/2

teaspoon vanilla

egg

1/2

cup chopped pitted dates or raisins

1 1/2

teaspoons coarse or granulated sugar

Hide Images

1

Heat oven to 400°F. Spray bottoms only of 12 regular-size muffin cups with cooking spray, or line with paper baking cups. Spray bottoms only of paper baking cups with cooking spray. In large resealable plastic food-storage bag, coarsely crush cereal with rolling pin or meat mallet to measure 1 3/4 cups.
2

In large bowl, mix cereal, flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. In medium bowl, beat buttermilk, oil, vanilla and egg until blended. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in dates. Spoon batter into muffin cups. Sprinkle with coarse sugar.
3

Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove from pan to cooling rack. Serve warm or cool.

Add a personal touch by using your favorite dried fruit; chopped dried apricots and sweetened dried cranberries are good choices. Toss in some chopped nuts, too!