Goji Berry & Walnut Muffins

Sorry guys, I am a tad busy this week and slightly caked-out (gasp!). All I can offer this week are muffins. It’s not to say that these muffins aren’t good.

For goodness sake, their packed full goji berries and walnuts. I have been so busy lately, that I literally don’t have time to eat anything. I keep telling myself to pack a lunch, and then I stare into the fridge and nothing seems appealing.

I finally decided that I would bake muffins that I could just pop into my purse along with a couple of tea bags. I know what you’re thinking. A muffin Gigi? Muffins are bad for you.

These muffins do have some redeeming value. What could it be? The goji berries of course! Goji berries are dried red berries that look similar to cranberries. They have been used for thousands of years for their “healing” properties. They are packed full of antioxidants, help eyesight, protect the liver, and boost immune function. How could you not like this muffin? Right?

Go ahead and bake yourself some super muffins! In addition, goji berries are available at organic supermarkets and specialty food stores. These particular berries where given to me by Katie. Thanks Katie!

Goji Berry Walnut Muffins
Adapted from The Essential Baker
Makes 12

Dry Ingredients:
2 cups of AP flour
2/3 cup of firmly packed light brown sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon of salt
Pinch of nutmeg

Wet Ingredients:
1 cup heavy cream
4 ounces of melted unsalted butter, cooled
2 extra large eggs
1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla

Mix in:
½ cup of goji berries
½ cup of walnut pieces

Preheat the oven to 400F degrees. Grease a 12 cup muffin pan or line with baking papers.

In a large bowl whisk together the dry ingredients. Set aside. In a medium bowl whisk together all the wet ingredients. Add the wet ingredients to dry and using a large spoon just mix until incorporated. Do not over mix muffins, there will be lumps. Gently fold in the goji berries and walnuts. Divide the batter among the muffin pan and bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes clean.