Blueberry Muffin

I am in "muffin frenzy" state of mind these days. just can't get muffins out of my head. I have been reading and looking at muffin recipes. I love baking muffins...they are easy.. usually just two bowls for the wet and dry ingredients..... no cake mixer.

My cool ultra-runner friends Sarah and Miguel are running the Nanny Goat race in May. This is a unique race where participants run round a one mile dirt loop for 12 or 24 hours. The objective is to run as many run as possible within the 12 or 24 hours. To help them practice their run, our good runner friend Matt planned a mini goat run - a 5 hr run around a one mile loop around his hood. .. of course.. we runners are invited to the run.

I could not decide what to bring to this event .. and asked the BF... banana muffin, chocolate or blueberry. I almost expected him to say chocolate.. but the chocolate loving boy abandoned his chocolate and asked for blueberry.

So.. blueberry is it ! I chose this recipe from Joy of Baking. It is a healthy recipe.. no butter. Just yogurt and canola oil. I was skeptical of any recipe that abandon the butter.. but surprisingly this turn out really yummy.


Ingredients
1 cup (240 ml) plain yogurt (regular or low fat)
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup (60 ml) canola or corn oil
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups (260 grams) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated white sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups (100 grams) fresh or frozen blueberries

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Position rack in center of oven. Butter or line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.

2. In a large measuring cup or bowl whisk together the yogurt, lightly beaten egg, oil, and vanilla extract.

3. In another large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Remove 1 tablespoon of the dry ingredients and toss it with the blueberries.

4. With a rubber spatula fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir only until the ingredients are combined. Gently stir in the blueberries. Do not over mix the batter or tough muffins will result.

5. Evenly fill the muffin cups with the batter, using two spoons or an ice cream scoop.

6. Place in the oven and bake for about 15 - 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for about 5 minutes before removing from pan.

Makes 12 muffins.

~bel~