The secret is out. I’m completely obsessed with recreating favorite desserts and calling them “breakfast.” Waking up at 6am is a very motivating experience when Carrot Cake Breakfast Cookies are waiting to be devoured, or Warm Oatmeal Raisin Muffins are can be whisked together in just minutes.
Speaking of 6am…
I’ve had the desire for a long time to get back into a workout program. My motivation to seek out a more active lifestyle stems from my desire to be intentionally disciplined (in a good way). A discipline that only comes from waking up early to do something I simply don’t want to do. I think that’s called crazy, also known as “purposeful exercise.”
Working out has been on my to-do list for years. I’ve even signed up for multiple classes, from yoga to spin, but something usually happens to prevent me from attending (like extra snuggle time with my bed). The two classes I actually attended just confirmed my suspicion…I’m an exercise introvert. That’s a real thing, right?! I prefer to exercise the art of looking like a fish out of water, gasping for every last breath, in solitude.
After much research, I finally decided an at-home program was my answer. I looked into multiple programs before purchasing Insanity. Yes, the price tag was hefty ($140), but I reassured myself, “A gym membership (the whole fish thing) is really expensive and embarrassing.”
So, back to 6am.
I’ve been waking up for over a month now at 6am to enjoy (cough cough…maybe there’s a better word to describe the actual workout experience) Insanity. Best decision ever. The workouts are the hardest form of exercise I’ve ever participated in, and so far the benefits have been just as radical. Plus, my audience is limited to seven chickens peeking through the dinning room door. I’ve threatened them with the soup pot if they ever laugh at the morning spectacle.
PS: I’m in no way affiliated with Insanity, and this is not a sponsored announcement. I don’t recommend Beachbody’s nutritional program or supplements (the company behind Insanity and maker of Shakeology)…just sharing real life.
After a hard workout (seriously, it’s insane), my natural response is “Feed me, now!” There’s no better way to reward hardwork with dessert…healthy dessert, of course!
Oatmeal Raisin Muffins are a hearty make-ahead breakfast. The cookie-inspired muffins can be prepped in advance using one of two methods:
1. Freeze them. Muffins are a fabulous way to make breakfast in advance. Simply make a batch of muffins (this recipe makes 14) and freeze them for later. When hunger strikes, defrost a muffin in the oven (wrapped in a damp paper towel) or microwave. Yes, I know. I still have one. Baby steps.
2. Prepare the dry ingredients. If frozen muffins aren’t really your thing, mix the dry ingredients the night before, or during your weekly prep time. When you’re ready to bake, whisk the wet ingredients into the dry mix, and viola–warm cookie muffins!
Let’s recap…
Cookie muffins. Dessert for breakfast. 6am. Insanity. Chickens. A Soup pot threat. Make-ahead. Healthy. Oh, yea!
Oatmeal Raisin Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose einkorn flour whole wheat pastry may be used as a substitute
- 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4-1 cup raisins depending on how "raisiny" you'd like your muffins
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar + 2 TB, sucanat may be used as a substitute
- 1/2 cup walnuts chopped
- 1 TB baking powder
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 cup whole milk
- 6 TB butter melted
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup plain whole milk yogurt
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Oat Topping:
- 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 tsp coconut sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the seven dry ingredients. In a separate medium-size bowl, whisk together the five wet ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir, just until the ingredients are combined.
- Grease a muffin pan (or use muffin liners). Scoop the batter into the muffin pan (I use an ice cream scooper).
- Whisk together the topping ingredients. Sprinkle the topping over the muffin tops. The secret trick to moist muffins is not over-mixing the batter!
- Bake the muffins for 22-25 minutes, until the muffins spring back when touched.
- Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes before removing from the pan.
Notes
Nutrition
More Real Food You May Like:
The muffins were ok. I didn’t put the topping on maybe that would have made it a little sweeter. A little bland. I put them to bake for 22 min but that might have been a little long as they were a bit dry.
Thanks for sharing, Pam.
Hi there,
I love all you recipes I’ve tried so far. For this recipe, is it possible to use all purpose flour? I try to use items I regularly have around the house. Thanks!
Hey Stephanie, Thank you so much! It’s so great to hear you’re loving the recipes :). Yes, all-purpose flour will work great in this recipe instead of the einkorn.
Good for you, getting your fitness on! I am not a morning person either and secretly plot to thwart those snooty types who boast how easily they get up at the crack of dawn and have it all together, lol. I do enjoy early mornings all the same, but I find my body revolts unless I wait until late morning to workout hardcore. I have to digest my breakfast first or I’m useless the rest of the day.
Nom-yom! These are so good. Lightly sweet and satisfying.
I soaked the oats and whole wheat flour overnight with a cup of water instead of milk and with the yogurt. Mixed in the rest this morning and topped them with more chopped walnuts (instead of raw oats) and the sugar and cinnamon. I do love me some raisins and walnuts! They turned out great! I’m putting this in my monthly rotation, thanks for another great recipe!
Awesome, Bethany! I’m so glad the soaking process worked and the muffins were/are delicious!!
Lol, I totally hear ya about early morning work-outs. I hit the snooze button a good five or six times before Dustin says, “Are you going to get up?” Finally, I roll out of bed and think about the workout thats’s about to take place. Coffee is my friend ;). This whole exercise thing is funny…I feel awesome once it’s done, but I don’t like the waking up and doing it.
These look so delicious! I’m loving the oats on top, especially 🙂 Pinning!
Thank you, Medha! The oat topping provides the perfect “crunch.”