Start your day deliciously with these super easy breakfast muffins, featuring a delightful blend of apple and a crunchy pecan topping. Perfect for any morning, they offer a burst of flavor and a comforting texture that makes waking up a joy!
Hello there, fellow food enthusiasts and creative souls!
I am absolutely thrilled to share today’s post with you, and for more reasons than one. First and foremost, we’re talking about breakfast muffins! Imagine biting into a muffin that is light, exquisitely soft, and crowned with an irresistibly crunchy topping. These aren’t just any muffins; they are the perfect way to kickstart your day, promising a moment of pure bliss with every mouthful.
One of the best things about these scrumptious muffins is their incredible convenience. You can effortlessly prepare a batch in advance, then freeze them, ensuring a delicious and homemade breakfast is always within reach. On a busy morning, all that’s required is a quick warm-up in the oven, and voilà – a fresh, comforting treat awaits. This convenience is a game-changer for anyone who might think, “I barely have time for coffee, let alone baking muffins for breakfast!” Trust me, once you taste how wonderfully they pair with your morning cuppa, you’ll find it impossible to stop at just one. Their delightful flavor and comforting warmth are truly addictive.
But my excitement for today’s post extends beyond these fantastic muffins. I’m also eager to share insights from several workshops I’ve attended this year and explain why I believe investing in such learning experiences is invaluable for anyone passionate about their craft. So, while the first part of this article celebrates these delightful breakfast muffins, if you’re keen to discover more about boosting your creative skills and growing personally, simply scroll down to the latter section of the page.
This particular recipe spotlights the delightful combination of apple, which lends a natural sweetness and moist texture to the muffins. However, the true beauty of breakfast muffins lies in their incredible versatility. They are a blank canvas for your culinary imagination! Feel free to customize them with whatever ingredients your heart desires. Who’s to say what you can and cannot add? For instance, the apple can easily be substituted with grated carrot, zucchini, or mashed banana, each adding its unique flavor profile, moisture, and nutritional benefits. These swaps not only introduce new dimensions of taste but also enhance the muffins’ texture, making every bite a delightful surprise.
Furthermore, if you don’t have a ready-made muesli mix on hand, don’t fret! You can easily swap it for approximately 100g of any oats you prefer, combined with a handful of mixed seeds and nuts. This flexibility ensures you can always enjoy these muffins, even with slight variations in your pantry. While these breakfast muffins are undeniably best savored fresh from the oven, their quality remains excellent when stored in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. And as previously mentioned, freezing them is a fantastic option for longer storage. I personally adore eating mine while they’re still slightly warm, perhaps with a dollop of fruit jam or rich clotted cream on the side. However, they are equally delicious served simply with a smear of butter, or even enjoyed plain, allowing their wholesome flavors to shine through.
Now, let’s shift our focus and delve into the fascinating world of creative workshops!
If you’ve been a long-time reader of this blog, you’ve likely noticed a significant evolution in my photography style. Part of this transformation is, of course, a natural progression that comes with consistent practice. As with any skill, the more you engage with it, the better you become. I’m not here to boast; I am fully aware that I still have a long, continuous journey ahead to reach my desired level of expertise. Yet, if you compare some of my current photographs to those from this time last year, you will (hopefully!) observe a noticeable and positive change. I firmly believe that attending specialized photography workshops has played an instrumental role in this advancement.
Much of what I initially learned about photography was self-taught. I devoured countless books, completed various online courses, and spent an immeasurable amount of time — hours, if not days — meticulously Googling questions and tirelessly seeking answers to every technical and creative query. However, it wasn’t until I immersed myself in dedicated Food Photography and Food Styling workshops that my understanding truly deepened. These particular workshops, expertly led by two incredibly talented individuals, Aimee from Twigg Studios and Kimberly from The Little Plantation, were transformative. It was here that I genuinely grasped the intricate beauty and compositional power of the “flatlay” technique. Beyond that, my understanding of my camera’s settings became much more profound, moving beyond mere technical application to an intuitive sense of how each setting influences the final image. I also acquired invaluable insights into the art of food styling – not just arranging ingredients, but creating a compelling narrative and an emotional connection within each photograph.
More recently, I had the pleasure of attending another enriching workshop focused on still life photography. This session was expertly guided by yet another prodigious talent, Carole from Mademoiselle Poirot, at the inspiring Clapham Studios. During this workshop, I gained a wealth of knowledge on crucial elements such as composition, balance, and proportion. It was a revelation to finally understand why, despite having the most stunning props at my disposal, a picture sometimes just doesn’t “feel right” or achieve its full potential. Carole’s approach to styling and shooting is incredibly precise and insightful; learning from her was an absolute delight. As an added bonus, she treated us to a delicious homemade quiche, followed by a mouth-watering lemon drizzle cake – a combination that never disappoints and certainly sweetened the learning experience!
Beyond the specific skills acquired, attending such gatherings offers a multitude of benefits that extend far beyond the technical aspects of the craft. Whether it’s a workshop on photography, styling, or even something as niche as knitting adorable outfits for your dog, these events create unique opportunities. Above all, you get to connect and interact with like-minded individuals – people who genuinely understand your passion, your struggles, and your aspirations. This shared environment provides an invaluable chance to observe how seasoned professionals approach their work, from shooting and styling to navigating creative challenges. For me, simply meeting these talented individuals in person and forming connections is as profoundly important as the direct lessons learned. Furthermore, these settings are perfect for brainstorming new ideas, openly discussing your biggest creative struggles, and celebrating your greatest successes with a supportive community. It’s a dynamic space for mutual growth and inspiration.
Speaking of struggles, one particular area that long challenged me was the post-production and editing process. I often found myself asking: How do I determine the ideal amount of contrast for my photo? Is an exposure adjustment of +0.60 too much? And what about adding vibrance – is it too much, or too little? These questions often led to frustration, as the answers felt subjective and elusive, even after practicing for some time. For a budding photographer, finding a distinctive personal style and a unique visual voice in editing can be particularly daunting. I recall reading a photography book where the author, discussing post-production adjustments, offered advice that felt both liberating and frustrating: “When it comes to making adjustments, it all comes down to your personal style.” That’s a lovely sentiment, but what if you haven’t yet developed that definitive style?
Once again, attending workshops proved to be immensely helpful in navigating this creative maze. Observing how other photographers approached their editing, learning various techniques, and picking up useful tips and tricks made the entire process considerably easier to understand and execute. I still recognize that there’s an immense amount to learn, but it was incredibly insightful to see that every professional has their unique workflow and distinct preferences. There isn’t a single, universal formula that applies to everyone. It turns out that the author of that book I mentioned earlier was indeed right after all: ultimately, it all boils down to your personal preference and artistic vision. Workshops help you discover and refine that vision by exposing you to a spectrum of possibilities.
So, if you’re currently contemplating whether or not to attend a workshop – be it for photography, cooking, writing, or any other creative endeavor – my unequivocal answer is a resounding YES! While it’s true that workshops involve a financial investment, I can assure you that it is consistently money well spent. It’s an investment in yourself, in your skills, and in your potential that you will undoubtedly never regret. This is especially true if you harbor aspirations of transforming your passion into something more substantial or even a professional pursuit in the future. These experiences offer not just learning, but inspiration, connection, and a tangible step forward in your creative journey.
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Rating: 5 from 2 votes
Breakfast Muffins
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 45 mins
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Vegan
Servings: 10 muffins
Calories: 220kcal
Author: Anna
Ingredients
- 150 g muesli mix
- 50 g light brown sugar
- 160 g plain flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 250 ml cashew or almond milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla essence
- 1 medium apple (peeled and grated)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 tablespoon nut butter
- 4 tablespoon demerara sugar
- 50 g pecans (chopped)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 180C and line a muffin tin with cases. Mix 100g muesli mix with flour, baking powder and sugar. In a separate bowl, combine milk, vanilla, apple, olive oil and 2 tablespoon nut butter. Stir it into a dry mixture and combine together.
- Divide the mixture between muffin cases, then mix together the remaining muesli with nut butter, demerara sugar and pecans. Spoon this mixture over muffins.
- Bake for about 25 minutes, until muffins have risen and are golden.
Please note that all my recipes are developed and tested in metric grams. I recommend that you use digital scales for a more accurate results. I have provided a conversion to US customary in the recipe but please note that I haven’t tested using this method.
Nutrition
Calories: 220kcal
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