If you haven’t already seen it, be sure to come by and check out Creating Together’s beautiful tree. All last week, our families made decorations and and helped our team put up lights and bunting. It isn’t too late to contribute your own decorations – stop by our craft table and use some glitter and paint to make something wonderful to add to the tree.
Morning Glory Muffins
Last Tuesday was Family Baking day at Creating Together. We tried these deliciously moist and flavourful muffins packed with shredded coconut, grated carrots and a touch of warming cinnamon and allspice – perfect for these wintry days!
Family Baking happens on the first Tuesday of every month – be sure to check our Calendar for details.
Morning Glory Muffins
Makes 12 muffins
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole-wheat or white whole-wheat flour
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, plus 2 tablespoons for garnish
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/3 cup honey
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 2 cups shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, plus 2 tablespoons for garnish
- 1/2 cup raisins
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray, or lightly grease with oil.
- Mix the whole-wheat flour, 1/2 cup oats, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and allspice in a medium bowl.
- Whisk the eggs, applesauce, honey and vanilla in a large bowl. Whisk in coconut oil.
- Gently stir the flour mixture into the applesauce mixture until just moistened. Fold in carrots, 1/2 cup coconut and raisins.
- Divide the batter among the muffin cups. Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons each oats and coconut.
- Bake the muffins until they spring back when lightly touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with only moist crumbs attached, 30 to 35 minutes.
- Let stand in the pan for 10 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy!
Student Spotlight: Introducing Eno Obeng-Nkansah
We at Creating Together are fortunate to host placement students from post-secondary institutions across the Greater Toronto Area each year. This series will introduce you to the dedicated students who bring their energy to our centre each semester.
“Hello parents and guardians, my name is Eno Obeng-Nkansah. I am currently in my second year of the Early Childhood Education Program at Humber College. During my time here at Creating Together it is my personal goal to make each day a great day for every child. I requested to do my placement at Creating Together because I want to explore what a Family Resource Centre can offer the community. I want to develop the skills associated with being a part of a family support program. What I like best about spending time at Creating Together is witnessing the relationships between the children and their parent(s) or caregivers. I am looking forward to meeting everyone and learning from you all.”
Whole Wheat Apple Muffins
Happy Monday! We are back with another great muffin recipe for you to try at home. These Whole Wheat Apple Muffins are a good option for those little ones who might not be a fan of oatmeal. This recipe calls for buttermilk or yogurt (you can use either one), which makes these muffins deliciously moist.
While we continue to offer freshly-baked muffins at the centre for snack time twice monthly, our family baking sessions will take place on the first Tuesday of each month. Check our Calendar for details on when you can join in the fun.
Whole Wheat Apple Muffins
Makes about 18 muffins
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- os 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed, divided
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1 cup buttermilk OR yogurt
- 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and chopped
Directions
- Preheat oven to 450°F. Grease 18 muffin cups or a muffin tray and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the dry ingredients: the flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
- In a larger bowl, cream the butter and then add the granulated sugar and 1/4 cup of the brown sugar. Beat until fluffy.
- Add the egg to the butter and sugar mixture, mix well and scrape down the sides of the bowl.
- Gently mix in the buttermilk OR yogurt. Take care not to over-mix, or the buttermilk might cause the mixture to curdle.
- Stir in the dry ingredients, and then gently fold in the apple chunks.
- Divide the better evenly among the prepared muffin cups or trays. If you like, sprinkle the remaining brown sugar on top of each one.
- Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 400°F. Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the centre of a muffin comes out clean.
- Let the muffins cool in the tray for 5 minutes, then turn them out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy!
Our Halloween Party!
Our families had a spook-tacular time at Creating Together’s Halloween party! We welcomed pirates, knights, superheroes and the most adorable animals – check out these fantastic costumes!
One of our Board members brought in a number of pumpkins, and Tanya, our Manager of Program Development, baked mini cupcakes for the children to decorate with frosting and gummies.
We hope that you all had lots of fun trick-or-treating and we look forward to next year!