A Southern Grace: swimsuit season

May 24, 2014

swimsuit season

Yum

Pffffft.


I think one of the worst ways to kick off a summer diet is to quit sweets cold turkey and try to completely get rid of superfluous calories. Existing on low-sugar, fat-free, and fiber-full foods alone is a treacherous (and a bit unnatural) trek.

For my money, a moderate and gradual change is the way to go. Clearly, the method for success will be different for everyone, but regardless of the route you take, these muffins are a fine way to start. They aren’t as light and healthful as, say, a bowl of oatmeal or a cup of yogurt, but they’re still far better for you than an ooey-gooey cinnamon roll, a stack of pancakes drowning in maple syrup, or a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit from your favorite fast food joint. It’s all about finding a happy medium.


The best thing about this muffin recipe is the endless variety it offers. Instead of cherries and almonds, you can toss in cranberries and pecans or bananas and blueberries. You can add a streusel topping or go with a whole-wheat-flour-and-chocolate-chips combination (nice balance, right?!?). The spices can be altered as well. See--the possibilities just keep coming.

Bod-Friendly Cherried Muffins
Makes 14 mega muffins
Ingredients:
  • 3½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 5 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 cup milk
  • ⅔ cup butter, melted and cooled
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 cups fresh cherries, pitted (frozen is fine)
  • 1 cup almonds, sliced
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 14 muffin cups with paper liners.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. In a smaller bowl, whisk together milk, butter, eggs, and vanilla. Add wet ingredients to dry and combine with as few strokes as possible, just until all ingredients are moistened. Fold in cherries and almonds. Spoon or scoop batter into prepared muffin cups, filling about 3/4 full. Bake until golden, about 25-30 minutes. Cool briefly on racks before de-panning and devouring.


25 comments:

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Delicious muffins! The flavors are wonderful. I try to eat very little sugar (and get rid superfluous calories) all year long. No t easy but so rewarding...

Cheers,

Rosa

Alicia Foodycat said...

They look good! I do need to do something about my weight, maybe this can be the first step!

Angie's Recipes said...

Forget about the bikini season...summer means to be enjoyed with lots of good food :-)
These muffins look awesome.

Karen (Back Road Journal) said...

Delicious sounding muffins…almonds and cherries are such a nice combination. Another suggestion to save a few calories is to make smaller muffins. The same good taste, just a couple bites less.

Gloria Baker said...

Ah Grace when I see your muffins always I want one.
Look amazing. I would like make these
Just delicious!

Beth said...

Muffins are always a great choice - swimsuit season or not. Cherry almond muffins are one of my faves!

Anonymous said...

oh adorable muffins...we will be trying out our last bunch of cherries by making this sweet treat....and we must confess...we are never capable of dieting even though mostly eat balanced food...this is a great way to jump start the day with breakfast :-)

Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic said...

I'm all about finding the happy medium! Lately I have been consuming my weight in cherries and I'll be happy to some more from these muffins.

Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies said...

I agree on it needs to be a happy medium! Sometimes I get stuck in flavor ruts.... to many blueberry or banana muffins. I love your combo of cherry and almonds!

Katerina said...

You can understand that summer in Greece is all about swimsuits and bikinis. I have already started calculating calories haha! But if I had something like this in front of me i wouldn't have been able to refuse!

I Wilkerson said...

The muffins look lovely. But, aarrgghh, did you have to bring up swimsuit season ;-)!

Joanne said...

Swimsuit season had better involve some indulgence or I'll go into withdrawal! I like the way you think. These muffins look totally fab.

Pam said...

I would much rather eat these beauties than get into a swimsuit!

Pam said...

I would much rather eat these beauties than get into a swimsuit!

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

Swimsuits are not worth it if I miss on delicious treats like this :D

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru

Marjie said...

Diet...pfft. But if these muffins can be called "diet" the I'm in!

Rosita Vargas said...

Me gustó su receta de muffins se ve muy delicioso y jugoso,abrazos

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

I'm so with you! In fact when I was reading your first paragraph I was nodding my head! :D These muffins look scrumptious!

Caroline Taylor said...

Completely agree, love the sound of these. Healthy (ish!) and indulgent too.

Blond Duck said...

I've always worn a one-piece. Screw bikinis!

Erica said...

I agree with you!These muffins sound look delicious,Grace!

Carolyn Jung said...

Even when I watch what I eat, I still can't give up sweets completely. Hey, life is too short to deprive yourself so terribly. Plus heck, these muffins are full of fruit -- so they're good for you. (wink, wink)

Amy (Savory Moments) said...

I love muffins and especially recipes that are versatile so you can add whatever fruits, nuts, etc. that you have around :-)

kellypea said...

Oh man these look tasty. And if you've not heard, I'm celebrating caftan season and bathing suits be damned. I'll take a dozen, please.

Beck said...

These look wonderful and I like changing things up with different fruit and nuts.

I tried completely giving up sugar a few weeks ago and I actually ended up gaining weight! I think my body was mad at me. Won't do that again:-).