Whole Grain Vegan Cranberry Nut Muffins

Recipe from King Arthur Flour

Husband-Tested in Jean’s Kitchen (Good buddy of Alice)

Makes 12 muffins

There’s a surprise ingredient in these very tasty muffins…tomato juice!  My good buddy, Jean, made these for our book group.  They were a HUGE hit!  These will make a delicious breakfast or snack to include in your Easy Lunchbox.  You’ll find all the ingredients, including the white whole-wheat flour at Lost River Market & Deli.

2 1/4 cups King Arthur White Whole Wheat Flour

1 cup brown sugar

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 cup dried cranberries or cherries

1/2 cup diced walnuts or pecans, optional

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 cups tomato juice or blended vegetable juice

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease and flour the wells of a muffin pan, or line the pan with paper liners, and grease the liners.

Whisk together all the dry ingredients, including the cranberries and nuts.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the vanilla, vegetable oil, and tomato juice.

Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients; don't over-mix, stir just until everything is moistened.

Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each nearly full. A level (to slightly heaped) muffin scoop of batter for each muffin works well here.

Sprinkle the tops with coarse white sparkling sugar, if desired.

Bake the muffins for 18 to 20 minutes, until they've domed nicely and they're lightly browned around the edges.

Remove the muffins from the oven, and transfer them to a rack to cool.

Note:  These muffins keep extremely well. Wrap individually; or set on a plate, and wrap loosely with plastic. They'll stay fresh and moist for up to a week.  They also freeze well.