If You Give a Moose a Muffin Mix. . .

In a previous post I mentioned that I like for my kids to start their day with a hot breakfast. Sometimes they can make this difficult, as several of them will not eat eggs; so omelets, frittatas, and scrambled eggs are out.  We rotate between muffins, pancakes, toast, oatmeal, french toast and occasionally scones.  I had been buying muffin mixes for some mornings, but I can't stand that they are full of sugar, preservatives and other chemicals. I went on a search for an easy homemade muffin mix I could keep in my cupboard.  I found a terrific one online. After a couple little adaptations to the recipe, we whipped up a large rubbermaid container of the mix.  I then taped a recipe card with directions to one side of the container and on the other side I taped a list of possible mix-ins and complementing spices.  My kids loved this so much, they took over the task of making muffins in the morning.  They have even come up with ideas for their own for mix-ins.  I love my little budding "Betty Crockers"!

Moose Muffin Master Mix

9 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 cups sugar

3 tablespoons baking powder

1 tablespoon baking soda

1 tablespoon salt

Muffin Recipe

2 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup milk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 3/4 cup muffin mix

1 cup of chosen mix-in

1/8 to 1 teaspoon chosen spice (if needed)

1/2 cup chopped nuts (if desired)

Preheat oven to 375 and grease or spray your muffin tin.  In a large bowl combine liquid ingredients and mix throughly. Add muffin mix and mix-in and stir until incorporated.  Evenly divide batter among 12 muffin cups.  Bake for 15-18 minutes, until tops are golden brown.

Possible Mix-Ins and Spices

Chocolate Chips 

Butterscotch Chips and Cinnamon

Peeled, Cored, and Grated Apple with 1 tsp Cinnamon and 1/4 tsp Nutmeg

Grated Zucchini with 1 tsp Cinnamon, 1/4 tsp Nutmeg & 1/8 tsp Cloves

Chocolate Chips and Chopped Dried Cherries

Chopped Dried Cherries

Chopped Dried Apricots and 1/4 tsp Nutmeg and 1 tsp Cinnamon

Fresh or Frozen Chopped Strawberries

Fresh or Frozen Blueberries with 1 tsp Lemon Zest

Fresh or Frozen Raspberries

3 Tbsp Poppyseeds with 1 tsp Lemon Zest then brush baked muffins with a warm Lemon Glaze made from 1/2 cup Lemon Juice and 1/2 cup Sugar heated in a saucepan until sugar dissolves. 

etc.

Other Variations

You can use 5 cups all-purpose and 4 cups whole wheat flour in the mix, just increase milk by 1/2 a cup

You can substitute equal parts apple sauce for the oil, although you may want to reduce the amount of  sugar in the mix

You can eliminate the sugar from the mix altogether, and add 1 cup honey to the liquid ingredients

We'd love if you'd post your ideas in the comments section!