Banana-Date Muffins

senseicheryl's Note:

I found this recipe on the www.cheerios.com website. "Bake a fruity muffin with a whole-grain boost from new Banana Nut Cheerios® cereal." NUTRITION INFORMATION PER SERVING: Calories 180 Calories from Fat 50 % Daily Value Total Fat 6g 9% Saturated 1/2g 3% Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 20mg 6% Sodium 230mg 9% Total Carbohydrate 28g 9% Dietary Fiber 1g 5% Sugars 14g Protein 3g

• Total Time: 28 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 18 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 12

Yield: 12.0 muffins

• 2 ½ cups Banana Nut Cheerios
• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄3; cup brown sugar , packed
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ¼ cup canola oil
• ½ teaspoon vanilla
• 1 egg
• ½ cup raisins (or chopped, pitted dates)
• 1 ½ teaspoons coarse sugar (or granulated sugar)

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 400°F Spray bottoms only of 12 regular-size muffin cups with cooking spray, or line with paper baking cups. Spray bottoms only of paper baking cups with cooking spray. In large resealable food-storage plastic bag, coarsely crush cereal with rolling pin or meat mallet to measure 1 3/4 cups.
2. In large bowl, mix crushed cereal, flour, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. In medium bowl, beat buttermilk, oil, vanilla and egg until blended. Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in dates. Spoon batter into muffin cups. Sprinkle with coarse sugar.
3. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove from pan to cooling rack. Serve warm or cool.