Apple Oatmeal a& Swiss Cheese Muffins

Apple Oatmeal Swiss Cheese Muffins

This recipe is more attractive when baked into a loaf, I have to admit.

You might be wondering about the combination of apples and swiss cheese, but it works if you like a salty & sweet combination (which is a really great thing in life- the counterbalance between one sin and another. Sugar and salt. Gotta love it.).

OH- a key thing about this recipe that might convince you to bake it this apple season: it’s healthy. Oats, whole wheat flour, flax seeds. Yes, Fiber is your friend. And while it doesn’t taste sinful (despite my disparaging comments about sugar and salt above), it does taste pretty darned good. Be daring, Bake it. And tell me what you think.

3 tablespoons butter

2 cups apples, peeled & diced (about 2 medium)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour

3/4 cups rolled oats

1/3 cup ground flax seeds

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

2 cups Swiss cheese, diced

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup brown sugar

3 eggs

2 cups milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1. Preheat oven to 375° and grease two loaf pans (or 24 muffin liners).
2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat and cook apples until soft (3 – 4 minutes). Stir cinnamon in and remove from heat; allow to cool.
3. In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients with cheese cubes and set aside.
4. In a separate large bowl, cream 1/2 cup butter with brown sugar until well combined (2 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, mixing for at least 30 seconds between each egg. Gradually add in milk, vanilla and apple mixture.
5. Pour liquid mixture into dry ingredients and stir until just combined (not over mixing!). Pour batter into loaf pans &/or muffin liners, and bake for 50-60 minutes (only 15 – 20 minutes for muffins), until a wooden skewer/toothpick inserted in center of loaf/muffin comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool on a cooling rack.
Tips:
- Cheese can be subbed if you don’t love or have swiss on hand. Cheddar is a natural match with apple, so give it a go. Havarti would rock, too. Or maybe Gouda.
- No flax seeds? I guess you could throw in oat bran or wheat germ. It’s all about the roughage.
- Loaf ideas: why not slice and toast it? Slather butter on top. Do it.
- Garnish: sift confectioners’ sugar overtop of slices. Or leave as is. Who says you need a garnish?
- Freeze-friendly: of course it is. Wrap it well and freeze away- ideally in individual slices or muffins.
- Enjoy!
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October 24th, 2012 | More Sweets Please | No Comments | Tags: Breads & Muffins