I have been baking a lot more than usual these days, and I blame the cold weather.

It looks like we are due for another round of storms in these parts, so you may need something to keep yourself warm.  These muffins are great for a lazy weekend breakfast, and they are perfect if you have little ones who want to help you stir and bake.   I made mini-muffins because they are just too darn cute, but you can also do regular size.  The recipe calls for a little bit of zest from an orange, which I think gives it the perfect hint of citrus!

{Berry Muffins}

1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 tsp zest of an orange
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 cup all purpose white flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup sugar (I reduced this to 1/2 c)
1/4 cup ground flaxseed (optional)
2 1/2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp salt
1 cup fresh blueberries
1/2 cup fresh blackberries  (you can also do raspberries!)

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Spray muffin tins, or line with muffin cups.

Combine first 4 ingredients in a small saucepan, and stir over medium heat until the butter melts.  cool until the mixture is warm to touch, then beat in the eggs.

Sift Flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl; add milk milk mixture, and stir just until blended.  Fold in berries.

Divide batter into muffin cups, filling about 3/4 of the way full.  Bake until golden and a toothpick comes out clean, about 15-20 minutes for regular size muffins, or 10 minues for mini-muffins.

Enjoy!

I really feel that homemade is always better, and homemade granola did not disappoint.  I had never made homemade granola before, and I am really not sure why it has taken me so long.  First off, it is so simple to make, and you get to put what ever you like in it.    And, of course there is always the benefit of knowing exacting what is going into something you are eating, meaning a lot less who knows what and random preservatives.

This granola recipe is full of all my favorites- a variety of nuts, dried fruits and oats.  But, really you can do just about whatever you like and it will turn out great!

{Homemade Granola}

1/3 cup canola oil
1/3 cup agave nectar or honey
1/3 cup good quality pure maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp pure almond extract
4 cups uncooked rolled oats (oatmeal)
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
2 tbs ground flax seeds
1/2 cup dried cranberries*
1/2 cup golden raisins*
1/4 cup dried blueberries*
1/4 cup unsalted sunflower seeds
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup chopped cashews
1/2 cup sliced almonds
2 tbs sesame seeds
1/4 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
pinch of sea salt

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

In a small bowl combine oil, agave nectar, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and almond extract, and stir until well combined.

In a large bowl add the remaining ingredients and mix well.  Slowly fold in the wet contents of the small bowl and coat the dry ingredients well.

Spread out onto greased cookie sheets and bake.  Make sure to stir every 10-15 minutes.  Bake for about 45 minutes or until granola is dry and golden.  Remove from oven, and drizzle with a little honey and stir (optional).

Store in an airtight container.  Eat on top of your yogurt, with milk, or just as a snack!

* With the dried fruit, you can cook tham at the same time as the other ingredients, if you want them to dry out a little more, or if you would like to keep them soft, you can add them at the end.

For a cute packaging idea, click here.

Enjoy!

{photos by me}