I got these sweet little heart shaped ramekins at Target a few weeks back and just couldn't wait to use them. Valentine's Day is still one of my favorite days of the year. I love the cutesy decorations, the parties for the kids, the romance in the air, and of course, the emphasis on the food. Food is a big part of Valentine's Day, isn't it?
I was searching through Nigella's recipes, looking for something romantic, but I kept focusing on her Granola Muffins. I absolutely love granola and have never had it in a muffin before. I couldn't get the idea out of my head, so I settled on Granola Muffins in sweet little heart shaped ramekins. Since my husband is out of town working, these muffins were a perfectly sweet treat just for me!
Granola Muffins - adapted from Feast by Nigella Lawson*Makes 12 muffins * I halved the recipe and it filled three ramekins*
1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg
3/4 cup light brown sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 cups granola (I used a storebrand oats and honey granola)
Preheat the oven to 400F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper muffin cups. (I halved the recipe, and just buttered and floured the ramekins). Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. In a wide-necked pitcher, whisk together the buttermilk, egg, sugar and oil. Pour this into the dry ingredients and mix lightly to combine. Fold in the granola and then divide the muffin mixture between the 12 paper cups (or greased ramekins). Bake for 25 minutes, by which time they should have risen and become golden brown. (Mine baked about 28 minutes). Remove from oven, let cool, on a wire rack.
Results/Notes: I sprinkled some extra granola on top of the muffins before baking, which made them a little prettier and added that extra crunch on top. I really enjoyed these muffins with a little honey drizzled over the top. I halved the recipe, which was somewhat tricky trying to add in one half of an egg, but the muffins turned out perfectly with a very tender crumb. Muffins aren't usually my favorite type of food, but I passionately love this muffin recipe! I will be making these muffins again and can't wait to try out some different flavors of granola. I can see maple flavored granola muffins in my near future!
I am submitting this recipe to I Heart Cooking Clubs. This week we are celebrating a little romance. Stop on by to see all the romantic recipes this week!
Happy Valentine's Day!!
Wonderful! Very romantic indeed. I love the ramekins too - great score!
ReplyDeleteThey look absolutely wonderful! Happy valentines to you and your family daaaaahling.
ReplyDelete*kiss* HH
I love those baking pans! So cute! I would like to make these on Valentine's morning. :)
ReplyDeletePassionate love - that's a strong emotion. In short, I trust that these were AMAZING! Definitely bookmarked.
ReplyDeleteI love those ramekins! Too cute. Should I ever find someone to bake for on V-day, I'm going to have to invest in something like that.
What sweet pans! And granola muffins - what a great idea. And healthy too - just keep telling ourselves that.
ReplyDeleteoh wow so cool and your right having a part time job is a great idea lol
ReplyDeleteThese are super cute. Not to mention, they look very yummy!!!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the ramekins! this is a perfect idea for them too! i usually buy stuff like that and then it sits in my pantry for years before i use it! i love those muffins, the granola on top is the perfect addition.
ReplyDeleteThose look delicious and I love the ramekins! Did you know that denny's has pancakes with granola right in them? I just had them, they're really good!
ReplyDeleteI love your ramekins! Perfect for Valentine's Day. Or I should say every day of the year. It feels always good to express how much we love our close ones :).
ReplyDeleteI love to bake with granola. That's a great great your have :)
Your ramekins are darling! Glad to hear your review on the muffins. It convinced me to put these on my to try list!
ReplyDeleteLoving those adorable ramekins! I had this one tabbed to make--they look so good! Great pick!
ReplyDeleteThat is so neat looking....I have seen the heart shaped cookware but never thought about buying any. Now I want some! Great looking muffins Kim.
ReplyDeleteKim, what a terrific way to serve this incredible granola muffin. Those ramekins are priceless and definitely says ~ Be MY Valentine!
ReplyDeleteI am definitely putting this recipe in my "must-try" folder, also. Many thanks and Happy Valentines...
Oh those ramekins are so sweet! And the granola looks delicious. :)
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I think I'd like these muffins. Love the honey drizzled on top. The more you post about Nigella Lawson, the more I think I need to check out her cookbooks.
ReplyDeleteYour muffin hearts came out so well. I've tried the heart shaped dishes and mine always turn out sort of round shaped and not like a heart at all!
ReplyDeleteWith a rave review like this I can't wait to try them! Love the heart shaped cups!
ReplyDeleteWhat cute lil' ramekins! I love heart shaped baking dishes... and I love Valentine's day too. Unfortunately, my husband is away with my dad and both of my sister's husbands. Male bonding. Whatever. My mom, sisters, and I are doing our own "girl's only" Valentine's slumber party in their absence. It think that this is the first time that I've been away from my sweetie on V-day in 13 years! Guess we'll have to celebrate a few days late when he comes home. : )
ReplyDeleteYour muffins look so pretty and delicious!
have been looking for heart shaped ramekins in white and red,fluted and plain since forever and since a 1000 calls later (to various stores around)still havent found 'em.......
ReplyDeleteSo am staring at em long enough here to see if anything happens ......
Love ur muffins ....so dang cute...my mom got me a few trays of heart shaped goodness and waiting to bake cakkeys in 'em
i have never had granola muffins either! I bet these taste good, I love anything crunchy and sweet!
ReplyDeleteA Must-do this weekend.Love the ramekins - adore the muffins. All those goodly ingredients - I would walk a long way for anything with granola.
ReplyDeleteI need a trip to Target - stat! Love the ramekins and the muffins!
ReplyDeleteOh I absolutely love your little heart ramekins! I was just making my IHCC dish for this week and wishing I had some heart ramekins, yours are too cute!
ReplyDeleteYour granola muffins look delicious! I love granola and muffins and will have to try this recipe soon. The honey drizzled on top looks just perfect :)
Oh. . . . pleeeeezzzzzzee take me to your kitchen ~ these look so YUMMY! I want one now! p.s. love the the molds to!
ReplyDeleteThose ramekins are irresistible! The heart-shaped cupcakes turned out wonderfully.
ReplyDeleteThese sound great - you combined two of my most favorite things, muffins and granola! Thank you for the recipe!!
ReplyDeleteHow cute! You know, I don't need anything sweet or pretty for Valentine's Day, just something yummy, and these look just right!
ReplyDeleteThose look cute!!!Perfect and delicious for this weekend!
ReplyDeleteLove the little Valentine's touch to these muffins! Surprisingly, I have never tried granola in muffins before either--I always assumed it would just kind of disappear, but adding some extra to the top ensures you get the crunch--Happy Valentine's!
ReplyDeleteI just made my favorite granola and this looks like a fun recipe to try. Love the ramikins!!!
ReplyDeleteYummy! These look beautiful! I have been on a non blogging hiatus (not by choice) and it's great to look at other food blogs that I love again- this little recipe is def on my to bake list.
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