Blueberry Pancake Muffins
Pssst. I have a confession to make. Ready? Here goes.
I don't let my kids into the kitchen that often.
What?! It's true. I know it's good for them. I know it's an opportunity to create fun around nutrition and measurement. But, oh my.
The mess. I can't really handle the mess.
And most of the recipes I make involve some serious technique and ingredients. Baking is cathartic for me. Helping walk the kids through a complicated recipe? Challenging is a polite way to put it. Definitely challenging.
(Disclaimer: Yes, this is that baking company started by Sarah Michelle Gellar. No, Foodstirs did not pay me to write this. I didn't even get an autograph out of the gig. They sent me some product and I just like their stuff. Promise.)
These family-friendly food craft kits are changing the way I think about having my kids in the kitchen.
Not only are they easy (six steps or less, people!) but they also don't break my cardinal rule. No fake stuff. The Foodstirs kits come with organic mixes that cut out the preservatives, flavors and dyes, but keep the texture and taste that make baked goodies so tempting. I used to joke that if it came out of a box, it didn't come out my kitchen. Whelp, the jokes on me, people.
Go ahead. Laugh. I'll just be over here, stuffing my face full of blueberry pancake muffins.
Muffins are perfect for a back to school breakfasts, when you're late and need to eat on the go because your kid can't find their shoes. Again. We whipped these little, healthy, blueberry-speckled beauties up from Foodstirs organic pancake mix
Yep. It was really that easy. Each mix comes in these adorable burlap bags with little recipe cards. The instructions are so easy to follow, my kids were able to assemble and prep ingredients independently.
I know. This is how dreams come true.
As you can see, the mix-ins are minimal. A little butter, a little milk, some eggs, and best of all, some plain yogurt. It gives the baked goods that tangy flavor coupled with a soft, dense richness.
Another point in Foodstirs favor? The flours are all whole grain and they give these muffins a fantastic flavor profile as well as a little extra fiber.
Yep. That's my kid in the kitchen. Whisking eggs and not making me cringe. In fact, for these muffins, kids are actually an asset. Adults tend to over mix, destroying the plump pockets of air muffins need for a good rise. Our mini-chefs don't over think it and that's a good thing.
I altered the basic pancake mix recipe only slightly, adding a little less milk to create the denser muffin version of a pancake. Then the true fun began. Prepare yourself cause there's about to be fingers in the batter.
Pancake muffins by themselves are pretty tasty, especially slathered in syrup. But they needed a touch of something more, and my daughter had the answer.
A few plump berries, tucked into those muffin tops by chubby little fingers. Fun with fruit. What's not to love?
We slid these into the oven and crossed our fingers. We didn't have to wait long to determine if these muffins were going to be marvelous. Spoiler Alert: They were.
Kid tested. Mom approved. These food crafting kits are a fabulous way to get the family back in the kitchen for a little fun.
You can grab your own Foodstirs fun, including the organic pancake mix featured in this recipe, in their online store.
Catch this limited edition mix before it's gone!
Blueberry Pancake Muffins
One Package Foodstirs Organic Pancake Mix
2 eggs, room temperature
4 Tbsp. butter, melted
½ cup plain or Greek yogurt
½ cup milk
Handful of blueberries
Maple syrup
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350. Line a muffin pan with liners.
Whisk eggs, then slowly add melted butter.
Mix in milk, yogurt, and pancake mix. Be careful not to over mix. It’s okay for there to be a few lumps. In fact, for muffins, it’s perfect.
Fill muffin liners 2/3 to 3/4 of the way full, then press several blueberries into the top of each muffin.
Bake 15-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted into middle comes out clean.
Cool and serve with maple syrup.
Interested in family fun from Foodstirs?
Visit the Foodstirs website to learn more
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