Banana-Date Muffins

Prep Time:15 Mins | Total Time:35 Mins | Makes:12 muffins

Bake a fruity muffin with a whole-grain boost from Banana Nut Cheerios* cereal.

2 1/2 cups (625 mL) Banana Nut Cheerios* cereal

1 1/4 cups (300 mL) all-purpose flour

1/2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla

1 egg

1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped pitted dates or rasins

1 1/2 tsp (7 mL) coarse or granulated sugar

1/3 cup (75 mL) packed brown sugar

1 tsp (5 mL) baking soda

1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt

1 cup (250 mL) buttermilk

1/4 cup (50 mL) canola oil

Heat oven to 400ºF. Spray bottoms only of 12 regular-size muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray, or line with paper baking cups. Spray bottoms only of paper baking cups with nonstick cooking spray. In large resealable food-storage plastic bag, coarsely crush cereal with rolling pin or meat mallet to measure 1 3/4 cups.
In large bowl, mix crushed cereal, flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. In medium bowl, beat buttermilk, oil, vanilla and egg until blended. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in dates. Spoon batter into muffin cups. Sprinkle with coarse sugar.
Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove from pan to cooling rack. Serve warm or cool.

Banana Nut Cheerios*

Variation : Add a personal touch by using your favorite dried fruit; chopped dried apricots and sweetened dried cranberries are good choices. Toss in some chopped nuts, if you like.