Sugar-free Date Nut Muffins

"A delicious, moist muffin that uses dates as the only sweetening. Dates have essentially the same nutritional value as raisins, so these muffins are high in iron." Recipe is credited to Lori Morrison or Missiauga, Ontario and is from the La Leche League International Cookbook "Whole Foods for the Whole Family." Please note that despite the fact that these are technically sugar-free, dates, the sweetener in these muffins, are high in natural sugars, so diabetics, please be aware of this! Cook time includes soak time for dates but only includes cook time for 1 batch of muffins.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Yields: 16 muffins

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups boiling water
• 1 1⁄2 cups  chopped dates
• 1  egg
• 2  tablespoons  oil or 2  tablespoons  melted butter
• 3⁄4 cup wheat germ
• 1⁄4 cup powdered milk
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 1  cup whole wheat flour
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped  nuts

Directions

1. Soak dates in boiling water for about 15-20 minutes- most of the liquid should absorb.
2. Preheat oven to 400°F.
3. In a seperate bowl, beat together eggs and oil.
4. Blend together dry ingredients (except nuts) and stir until just moistened into egg mixture.
5. Fold in dates and nuts.
6. Pour into greased muffin tins and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.