Apricot-Wheat Germ Muffins

Nutty toasted wheat germ and tangy dried apricots give these muffins a homey, satisfying flavor. Plumping dried fruit before adding it to the batter keeps the muffins moist.

READER'S COMMENT:

"I love these muffins! They were exactly what I needed to curb my sweet tooth. The muffins only needed 15 mins of baking time. The recipe called for orange zest but I didn't have an orange on hand so I used a 1/2 tsp of orange extract to...

1 dozen muffins

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 cup dried apricots, chopped
• 1/2 cup orange juice, divided
• 1 cup whole-wheat flour
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon toasted wheat germ,divided
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup buttermilk, (see Tip)
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated orange zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• PREPARATION

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat 12 muffin cups with cooking spray.
  2. Combine apricots and 1/4 cup orange juice in a small bowl. Cover with vented plastic wrap and microwave on High for 1 minute. (Alternatively, bring to a simmer in a small saucepan. Remove from the heat.) Set aside to plump.
  3. Whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, 3/4 cup wheat germ, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.
  4. Whisk eggs and brown sugar in a medium bowl until smooth. Whisk in buttermilk, oil, orange zest, vanilla and remaining 1/4 cup orange juice. Add to the dry ingredients and mix with a rubber spatula just until moistened. Add the plumped apricots and juice and mix just until blended. Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon wheat germ.
  5. Bake the muffins until lightly browned and the tops spring back when touched lightly, 15 to 25 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Loosen the edges and turn the muffins out onto a wire rack to cool slightly before serving.

  TIPS & NOTES

  • Tip: No buttermilk? You can use buttermilk powder prepared according to package directions. Or make “sour milk”: the ratio is 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup milk.

  NUTRITION

  Per muffin: 220 calories; 7 g fat (1 g sat, 3 g mono); 36 mg cholesterol; 34 g carbohydrates; 7 g protein; 3 g fiber; 185 mg sodium; 284 mg potassium.
  2 Carbohydrate Serving
  Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 1/2 fat

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