Morning Spice Mini Muffins

These flavorful mini bites make a great snack or treat in the morning with your first cup of coffee.

Recipe by George Geary, CCP, a cooking teacher, pastry chef, cookbook author, food writer and award winning culinary tour guide.

Recipe Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 cup light olive oil
1 cup molasses, dark
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 cup hot water

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C). Prepare 4 mini muffin tins of 12 each with paper cups. Set aside.
2. In medium bowl, whisk together flour, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. Set aside.
3. In large bowl, whisk vigorously, light olive oil, molasses, sugar and eggs. Set aside.
4. In small bowl, dissolve baking soda with hot water. Add to oil and sugar mixture, whisking until fully blended. Fold in flour mixture until well blended.
5. Divide evenly into prepared mini muffin cups. Bake about 9-11 minutes or until cake tester inserted into center comes out clean. Let cool in pans fully, prior to removing.

Makes 4 dozen mini muffins. Serving size: 1 mini muffin.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/48 of recipe; 1 mini muffin): Calories 70; Total Fat 2.5g; Saturated Fat 0g; Cholesterol 10mg; Sodium 60mg; Carbohydrates 12g; Fiber 0g; Protein 1g.