Late Summer Zucchini Muffins

Makes 16
1.5 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1.5 cups grated zucchini (about two small-medium sized zucc’s)
1/2 tsp salt
2 eggs
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract (or, vanilla paste)
1/3 cup canola oil
2 tsp baking powder
Cinnamon and sugar for topping

• Preheat the oven to 375. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugars, salt, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg. Set aside.
• In a medium sized bowl, combine the grated zucchini, eggs, vanilla and oil. Stir well to combine and then gently stir into the flour mixture. Be careful not to overwork this—it will lead to dense muffins!
• Fill lined muffin tins about 3/4th of the way up with the batter and then sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on each. Bake for about 30 minutes or until golden.

Carrot Cake Muffin Bars
makes about 12 squares

3/4 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 stick butter, softened
1 egg
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup old fashioned (or quick) oats
1 cup grated carrot (2 medium carrots or 1 huge carrot)
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts
Preheat the oven to 350.

• In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and oats. Set aside.
• Cream together the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and beat again until smooth. With mixer on low, slowly stream in the milk. Add the dry ingredients, grated carrots and walnuts and mix until just combined.
• Scoop batter into a greased nine inch square pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden.
• Let cool completely (about 20 minutes) before cutting into squares.