Carrot apple muffins

Ingredients

• 4 oz pitted dates 110g

• ½ cup water 120ml

• ½ cup whole wheat flour 65g

• ½ cup all purpose flour 70g plain flour

• ½ cup quick cook oats 48g (see notes for alternative)

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon baking soda bicarbonate of soda

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon ground ginger

• ½ teaspoon ground allspice

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 egg

• ½ cup buttermilk 120ml

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1 cup apple 135g, grated, approx 1 apple

• ½ cup carrot 55g, finely grated

Instructions

• Soak the dates in the water ideally for an hour or two but at least while you prepare everything else.

• Preheat oven to 375F/190C.

• In a large bowl, mix the dry ingredients (wholewheat and all purpose flours, oats, baking powder and baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, allspice and salt).

• Puree/blend the dates (along with the water) to a paste then add the egg, buttermilk and vanilla and blend until they are well mixed.

• Add the date-egg mixture to the dry ingredients then add the apple and carrots. Mix everything so they are combined but try not to overmix.

• Spoon the mixture into lined or greased muffin tins then bake for approx 20 minutes until gently golden and a skewer put in the middle comes out clean.

The oats give a slightly chewy texture - if you'd prefer less of this, try oat bran rather than oats. Nutrition Calories: 96kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 222mg | Potassium: 186mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 935IU | Vitamin C: 0.8mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 0.8mg