Nonni's Raisin Muffins

 

Makes 10-12 

Both my Italian and Ukrainian grandmothers made these muffins for us. You can make them in the mini muffin pans for little snacks for toddlers. The brown sugar gives them a rich dark color with a molasses flavor. They are delicious with a bit of butter. 

To make these vegan, substitute vegan butter and an egg replacer.

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature) 

2/3 cup brown sugar 

1 extra large egg 

1 tsp vanilla 

1 1/2 cups seedless raisins or sultanas 

1 1/2 cups water 

1 1/2 cups plus 2 TBS plain flour 

1 tsp baking powder 

1 tsp baking soda 

Directions: 

Gently boil the raisins and water together in a small pot for 20 minutes, on medium heat. Cool. 

Cream the butter, sugar, egg and vanilla. Add the dry ingredients and mix well. Add the cooled raisins/water mixture, stirring gently just until blended. Do not overmix. 

Spoon into greased muffin pans and bake at 350F/180C for 15-20 minutes till golden brown. 

Let cool in tins before removing them. 

Reduce baking time if using the mini muffin pans. 

Healthy Dog Treats

Ingredients:

2 cups of rolled oats, or oat flour

1/2 cup natural peanut butter (no added sugar or xylitol)

1/2 cup soft fruit or vegetables 

(cooked apple, carrots, sweet potato, pumpkin or one banana). 

Directions: 

Preheat oven to 200F (105C) 

If using oatmeal, place it in a food processor and blend it until the oats are mostly ground. This is how you can make your own oat flour.

Add the banana and peanut butter and process until the dough comes together. If it seems too dry, add more peanut butter or more banana. Shape into a ball and roll out to 1/4" thick. 

Cut out your shapes using a cookie cutter, or just cut into squares. Re-roll edges and bits. 

Place on two cookie sheet and bake until the dog treats are dry and crisp (about 1 1/2 to 2 hours). 

Keep checking on them every so often. The cooking time will depend on how thick you rolled them out. Less time will be needed if the treats are thinner. Watch carefully so they do not get too dark. 

Once the treats are fully dehydrated, they can be stored at room temperature for a few weeks. Once cooled, they should 'snap' when broken in two pieces. 

Makes about 60 treats when cut into 1" squares.

A convection oven works well and helps to dry out the biscuits. 

Dog Treats