Carrot apple muffins

Ingredients

• 4 oz pitted dates (110g)
• 1/2 cup water (120ml)
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (65g)
• 1/2 cup all purpose flour (70g plain flour)
• 1/2 cup quick cook oats (48g (see notes for alternative))
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp ground allspice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup buttermilk (120ml)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup apple (135g, grated, approx 1 apple)
• 1/2 cup carrot (55g, finely grated)

Instructions

1. 1

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

2. 2

   Preheat oven to 375F/190C.

3. 3

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

4. 4

   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.

5. 5

   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.

6. 6

   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.