Sour Cherry Muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 1 cup sugar

• 3 extra-large eggs

• 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

• 3/4 cup milk

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour*

• 1/4 cup rolled oats*

• 1/4 cup wheat germ*

• 1/4 cup almond flour*

• 1 tbsp flax seeds*

• 1 tbsp wheat bran*

• 1 tbsp oat flour*

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 3/4 to 1 cup fresh or frozen sour cherries

• Turbinado sugar for topping. optional

1. Preheat the oven to 400℉ (375℉ convection). Grease muffin tins or line with paper liners.

2. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Add the eggs 1 at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition.

4. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl.

5. Add the vanilla to the milk.

6. With the mixer on low speed, alternate the addition of the flour mixture and the milk to the batter until just combined.

7. Toss the cherries in a spoonful of flour. Fold in the cherries gently with a spatula.

8. Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tins filling each cup about 3/4 full.

9. Sprinkle generously with Turbinado sugar and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until the muffins are lightly browned on top and a cake tester comes out clean.

10. Serve this muffin with a touch of butter and a cup of your favorite tea either for breakfast or afternoon teatime.

Yields: 12

Notes&Tips:

• I made this particular muffin recipe with a mixture of flours. I find it gives a nice texture to the finished product while incorporating more fiber and thus making it not such a guilty pleasure when consumed. I have also made it with just all purpose flour and also with all purpose and whole wheat flours. Feel free to use the the combinations or just plain all purpose flour. The total amount of flour is 2 1/2 cups.

• If you'd rather not have milk in this recipe, puree 1 cup of cherries and use that as a substitute for the milk. Then use a handful of whole or chopped cherries if you'd like the bits of fruit in the muffin.

• Note that if you don't like or have sour cherries, use the sweet cherries that are abundant at this time of year.

• Nuts can also be added to the muffins - walnuts and pecans work best.