This week’s Tuesdays with Dorie was selected by Christine of Happy Tummy: great grains muffins. I’ll admit to being wary of this recipe when I saw the mention of “great grains” in the title. While I’ll occasionally use whole wheat flour in bread baking, I really prefer my other baked goods be made with all-purpose flour. I guess I’ve had one too many bad experiences with whole grain goodies that were dense and heavy and just not very tasty.
I was pretty relieved when I opened my book and discovered that the “great grains” Dorie had in mind were whole wheat flour (I used white whole wheat), oats and cornmeal. Nothing too scary, and the recipe also included all-purpose flour and maple syrup, which I was hopeful would balance out the grains. Just to be safe though, I used chocolate chips in my muffins instead of the dried fruit Dorie recommended 🙂 After I mixed up the batter I gave it a taste and thought it was pretty similar to sweet cornbread batter (a good thing in my book). My muffins baked quickly, about 5 or 6 minutes faster than the suggested baking time of 18-20 minutes.
After their photo shoot, I ate one of the muffins while it was still just slightly warm. The verdict? A really delicious muffin that was light, tender and just slightly sweet from the maple syrup, with the cornmeal and oats adding texture. The strong flavor of the cornmeal that was present in the batter definitely mellowed in the oven. A repeat for sure, and I think I’ll stick with the chocolate chips next time too. I made these last week when I was house sitting for Shane’s parents and went with a half recipe, which yielded 6 muffins. The five that were left after I tried one went straight into their freezer, so I hope they enjoy them as much as I did!
Many thanks to Christine for hosting this week! You can find the recipe for the muffins on her blog or on pages 8-9 of Baking: From My Home to Yours.
Lemon Bars
Glazed Grapefruit Cake
Orange Sherbet
Meyer Lemon Pound Cake
Tracey, your muffins look amazing. These chocolate chip versions are really getting me excited to make another batch soon.
Am I ever happy to see these as I did not get a dome on my muffins so I figured I did something wrong, made them again, same thing, so called it a day. Now that I have seen others without domes, I am feeling a whole lot better about my muffin making abilities. Yours look wonderful. These were Top Five for us…they will be appearing regularly.
Very pretty! I love that you added chocolate chips! I didn’t love these, but maybe that’s what I needed to do!
kicking myself for not adding chocolate chips. maybe next time
I like the choc. chip variation. Shane’s parents are lucky to have these in the freezer!
These sound like a keeper for sure! Love the choco chips in them 🙂
These look delicious. I love the napkin too!
What’s your secret for taking so gorgeous photos?
Lucky them to come home to a freezer full of your tasty treats! Like the idea of adding chocolate for sure!
After reading this blog, I had to go into my freezer to retrieve one of the muffins you left us, Tracey. I hadn’t gotten to these yet (you left us so many delicious treats we’re slowly making our way through, Thanks!) These were the perfect combination of healthy (grains) vs sinful (chocolate). Loved them.
I added chocolate chips to mine too! I liked them but was hoping for a sweeter taste..goes to show you I have a sweet tooth! Im trying to cut back on sugar!!
@Candy – I’ll email you 🙂
Oooh, they look so yummy with those chocolate chips inside, Tracey! Love the napkin, too – did you get it at World Market??
@Jessica – Thanks! We don’t have World Market up here unfortunately. I think that napkin might be from Pier One.
great pics! off to check out the dip below which looks fantastic 🙂
These look so fluffy and moist!
Your muffins look fantastic–love the addition of the chocolate chips. But what I really love is that tea towel!! How gorgeous is that?!
Glad you enjoyed the muffins. Thanks so much for baking with me this week. Hope you are staying safe and warm!
I wish someone would come by my house and leave some homemade muffins in my freezer. ::g:: I need a more creative family.
Your muffins look delicious!
They look super delish Tracey 🙂
I think Shane’s parents keep leaving town so that you’ll stock their kitchen with food! These would be great with chocolate chips!
Your muffins look great I need to try them as written without banana, while they were good that way, they look like they’d be a nice cornbread type muffin.
Those muffins look great! They’d be perfect snacks for kids at school.
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I was a little leery of great grains as well. I should have added chocolate chips. Your muffins look delicious!
Those look great, Tracey! I didn’t get around to making these, but I’m hoping to this weekend; I may have to make the chocolate chip version.
I love how yours look, much less “whole grain” looking than mine turned out. Nothing beats a good corn muffin, unless you add chocolate chips, of course!