Carrot & Banana Muffins

Ingredients

• 1 cup raisins
• 3/4 cup whole-wheat flour
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup oat bran
• 1/2 cup toasted wheat germ
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 4 large egg whites
• 1 cup packed brown sugar, or 1/2 cup Splenda Sugar Blend for Baking
• 1 cup mashed bananas, (2 medium bananas)
• 1/2 cup low-fat milk
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups shredded carrots, (4 medium carrots)
• 1/3 cup chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat 18 standard-size (2 1/2-inch) muffin cups with cooking spray.
2. Place raisins in a small bowl and cover with hot water; let soak for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
3. Whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, oat bran, wheat germ, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and allspice in a large mixing bowl.
4. Whisk egg whites in a medium bowl until frothy. Add brown sugar (or Splenda) and whisk until it has dissolved. Mix in bananas, milk, oil and vanilla.
5. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Add the wet ingredients; stir with a rubber spatula until just combined. Gently stir in carrots and the drained raisins. Scoop the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle with nuts.
6. Bake the muffins until the tops spring back when touched lightly, 15 to 20 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Loosen the edges and turn the muffins out onto a wire rack to cool slightly before serving.