Rise and shine with the perfect balance of crunch and comfort! These Special K Almond Muffins are here to transform your mornings into a healthy and delicious celebration. Packed with the wholesome goodness of Special K cereal, slivered almonds, and just the right touch of sweetness, they’re an easy grab-and-go breakfast that feels like a treat. Whether you’re fueling a busy day or savoring a quiet morning moment, these muffins will make you feel like you’ve started your day on the right (and tasty) foot!
Ingredients:
• 1 ½ cups Special K cereal (crushed slightly)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup sugar
• ½ cup slivered almonds
• ¾ cup buttermilk (or milk with 1 tsp lemon juice)
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup melted butter (or neutral oil)
• ½ tsp almond extract
• ½ cup dried cranberries or raisins (optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease the cups.
2. Prepare the cereal base:
In a large bowl, combine the crushed Special K cereal with buttermilk. Let it sit for 5 minutes to soften.
3. Mix dry ingredients:
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar. Stir in the slivered almonds.
4. Combine wet ingredients:
Add the egg, melted butter, and almond extract to the softened cereal mixture. Mix until well combined.
5. Combine wet and dry ingredients:
Gradually fold the dry mixture into the wet mixture until just combined. If using dried cranberries or raisins, gently fold them in now. Do not overmix.
6. Fill the muffin cups:
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full.
7. Bake:
Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
8. Cool and enjoy:
Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips:
• For extra crunch, sprinkle a few slivered almonds on top of each muffin before baking.
• These muffins freeze well—store extras in an airtight container and reheat as needed.
These Special K Almond Muffins aren’t just delicious—they’re versatile too! Want to boost the nutrition? Swap out the sugar for a natural sweetener like maple syrup or honey, or toss in a handful of chia seeds for added fiber. You can even mix it up by replacing cranberries with chopped dried apricots or shredded coconut for a tropical twist. Bake a batch on Sunday, and you’ll have a healthy breakfast or snack ready to go all week long.