cinnamon rhubarb muffins

Prep ahead  breakfast or snack for the week!  Very packable! Freeze half the batch!

These muffins are not very photogenic but they are SO yummy and SO easy!

The end of May brings the start of our seasonal farmers market.  It's so nice to finally buy local fresh fruits and vegetables after a very long winter season.  Every stand had baskets full of rhubarb which is currently in season.  Last week I picked up about 5 large stalks and have been meaning to do something with it.  The lack of breakfast food selection in my refrigerator and cabinets motivated me whip up a batch of these delicious cinnamon rhubarb muffins after the kids went to sleep tonight.  It took about 20 minutes to mix them up and 16 minutes to bake them.  Exhausted children were sleeping by 7:20 and muffins were done by 8:00!  The recipe makes 24 muffins so I usually freeze half the batch.  


Rhubarb actually has quite a few health benefits.  It is an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties.


Rhubarb is very tart. The recipe calls for  1 1/2 cups of brown sugar plus a sugar topping (which can be omitted).  If you are concerned about the sugar content in the recipe, substitute 1 cup of agave syrup for the 1 1/2 cups of brown sugar.  Omit the sugar topping and shake some cinnamon on top of each muffin before baking.


Ingredients

2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (or all purpose flour)
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar (or 1 cup agave syrup)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 cup skim milk soured with 1 T white vinegar or lemon (or 1 cup buttermilk)
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups finely chopped rhubarb

• TOPPING: (optional)*
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• *If you do omit the topping be sure to shake some cinnamon on each muffin before you bake them.

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the first five ingredients. 
2. In a separate bowl, combine egg, milk, oil and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in rhubarb. 
3. Fill greased or paper-lined muffins cups about half full. 
4. Combine topping ingredients; sprinkle over each muffin. Bake at 375 degrees F for 16-18 minutes or until muffins test done.