Hello from sunny ( or shall I say rainy?) South Carolina!
Despite the spring showers we’re having a wonderful time! Exploring the neighborhoods, feeling the sand between the toes while washed by the cold ocean water. Everything is so colorful, everyone seems so happy! We’ve been looking for this vacation for so long and now we’re taking full advantages of it.
Today I’m bringing you one of the coolest Mom I know and her amazing dancing daughter! Kim and Liv of Liv Life!
I’ve been a fan of their blog for so long! From the very first time I stumbled upon it I was hooked by the beautiful photos, delicious recipes and beautifully written posts! Kim’s travel posts make me pack a few things and follow her footsteps. (p.s. There’s a cool giveaway going on on their blog right now! )
Please, say “Hello” to Kim!
Everyone loves a vacation, and as our friend Roxana meanders down the East Coast of these United States, Liv and I invite you to come along with us for a quick trip west where we are in the midst of peak strawberry season.
Living a mile from the Carlsbad coastline has its benefits… not only the proximity to our beloved Pacific, but also our temperate weather. Admittedly we do have those frigid days when the temps dip below 60º and those scorchers as the mercury rises close to 85º, but most days in the high 60′s and low 70′s are simply ideal for morning jogs along the beach, daily chores and growing strawberries.
If you have ever driven past Carlsbad on I-5, you have seen some of our local fields, and right now those fields are a flurry of activity with pickers working long hours to harvest the red, ripe berries. Visions of sweetness drift through your mind on exceptionally warm days when the scent of the warm berries wafts into the car as you drive by.
Local Farmer’s Markets are flooded with plump, juicy berries and low prices behoove eager buyers to purchase whole flats of sweetness. Unable to resist, Liv and I brought home our own flat last weekend and our family has spent the last few days eating everything strawberry.
Certain days of the week are our dance rehearsal carpool days, and those are the day that I try to have some sort of healthier snack for my car load of 5 girls to refuel their bodies with as we make our way to the studio. San Diego Strawberry Muffins not only fit the healthier bill, but they also fit the “Could you please make more of these next week??!” bill.
A mixture of flours, including some whole grains, worked as our base combining into a thick batter when combined with protein-rich eggs and yogurt. Over a cup of chopped, ripe berries folded into the batter studded the muffins with bright red strawberry chunks in every bite.
My overflowing bag of muffins lasted almost 5 minutes as we made our way to the studio and my smile broadened with each, “Mrs. K, these muffins totally rock!”, or “Wow! My mom doesn’t make anything this good! Could you send her the recipe?”, or “Mommy, I love you… we need to make these again!”. Did I mention I love my dance girls? They never fail to make me feel appreciated.
And speaking of appreciated… we appreciate San Diego Strawberry Season! Thanks for coming along on our strawberry adventure with us, and spending a bit of your day here on the West Coast.
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup whole wheat or spelt flour
- 1/4 cup oat bran
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup low fat or fat-free vanilla yogurt
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup milk or milk alternative (we used rice milk)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh strawberries (frozen would work as well)
- raw sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375º and spray the cups of a muffin tin with nonstick spray. (Either full size or mini muffins – makes about 12 regular size or 24 mini)
- In a medium bowl combine the flours, oat bran, sugar, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Whisk to combine.
- In a small bowl combine the lightly beaten eggs, yogurt, vegetable oil, milk (or milk alternative), and vanilla extract. Whisk to combine ingredients, and the pour into the dry ingredients.
- With a wooden spoon stir the two mixtures together until just a little flour remains (8-10 good stirs), then add the chopped strawberries, lightly folding them into the batter and being careful not to over-mix.
- Spoon the muffin batter into the prepared tins to about 2/3 full and top with a sprinkle of raw sugar (Liv says, “More sugar is better than less…”).
- Place the muffin tins into the preheated oven and bake 14-17 minutes for full size muffins or about 10 minutes for mini muffins. Keep an eye on the muffins as baking times vary from oven to oven, and remove when muffins are nicely browned and a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
Notes
Liv Life Note: If your batter is a little too thick for your liking, add a little extra milk when mixing. Alternatively, if it is too think add a little extra flour. Humidity (or lack of) can alter the amount of liquid required.
{ 40 comments… read them below or add one }
The pick your ownplaces here in North GA are just getting into full swing – I’m thinking a visit today and maybe these muffins for the weekend! they look delish!
Roxana, this is a great recipe from Liv. It’s easy to see why the girls ask for more of these.
Mandy
I love the South. I feel like I was originally from there but when I was reincarnated I ended up in the North – lol! I’ve never ventured West. It’s on my list of things to do. Those muffins look beautiful – honestly, I can almost smell them. Thanks for the intro and the great recipe!
I’ve been obsessed with strawberries lately – what a great recipe!
Thanks for this recipe. It looks gorgeous. There’s nothing better than fresh strawberries. I love adding them to smoothies as they sweeten it and hide the taste of my green smoothies. Here is a healthy smoothie to get in more strawberry goodness: http://www.greenthickies.com/easy-strawberry-shortcake-smoothie/
Kim,
What a great, healthy snack for those wonderful dancers. Your muffins look amzing, and I love strawberries! Great guest post.
Roxana,
Two of my favorite bloggers in one place. Thanks for having
a great guest blogger.
Thanks Becky!! You always make me smile!!!
Would you believe I’ve driven past that place a gazillion times and have never ever stopped to pick strawberries… ! Crazy. These look wonderful!
Your muffins are so yummy. Love strawberries !!
These look very amazing.
Californian kisses.
I can’t wait for strawberry season – these muffins sound amazing!
I LOVE the site of a strawberry field! We used to go picking all the time when i was a kid, and I just love remembering all the treats we would eat with what we picked!
Wow! That’s all I have to say about these beautiful muffins.
What a fantastic post..full of southern charm! Great recipe from Kim..and you most certainly did it justice! Gorgeous muffins and all those fresh strawberries, plus healthy oat bran! Love!
I want to go to that strawberry farm, it looks lovely! Your muffins sound, and look AMAZING!!! Hugs, Terra
Love these strawberry muffins-pinned!
Enjoy your vacation Roxana. Love these muffins they look delish
great job Kim on the muffins.
These look so good, I can almost smell the fresh strawberries. Have a great vacation, Roxana!
Oh, what a lovely strawberry farm, and the strawberry muffins look and sound great!! Thanks for sharing the recipe, Kim! Enjoy your vacation, Roxana
I’ve been seeing the strawberries around here and they are driving me absolutely crazy. I love seeing two of my favorite moms in the same place. Great job with these muffins and I’m hoping both of you ladies have the Happiest Mother’s Day.
-Gina-
lovely in season muffins
What gorgeous muffins. And I love that there’s wheat flour in these babies. Will have to make these for breakfast one day!
Oh, these look so tasty, Kim! No wonder Liv and her friends love you!!! What a perfect treat for those active girls.
Happy Mother’s Day to both you and Roxana!!! xo
I love Kim’s site and the fact that she named it Liv Life..I am her huge fan!
Kim those muffins look incredible, I can see why they are hit with your girl..it would be hit with anybody!
Roxy, Enjoy your free of blogging time..you totally deserve it!
Happy Mother’s day to both of you!
Beautiful muffins from Kim! Happy Mother’s Day!
I’d love to wake up to these! I’d also love to buy a flat of farm fresh strawberries. So lucky!
Awesome guest post! Roxana enjoy your vacation
I am definitely bookmarking this recipe to make soon – we’re on the tail end of a gorgeous strawberry season where I am and I’m trying to make good use of it.
Nothing like fresh strawberries from San Diego
Happy Mother’s Day to both of you!
Happy to see Kim as a guest here! I’m also enjoying strawberry season and these muffins look awesome! I hope you are having great vacation and wish you two a Happy Mother’s Day! See you on your blog Kim!
Oh..those Strawberries in the field look so beautiful..nothing like baking with fresh ingredients! The muffins look gorgeous.
What a great post! Almost time to pick strawberries here in the D.C. area. I can’t wait! These muffins look gorgeous! And such a luscious way to showcase your beautiful strawberries! : )
Awesome to see Kim here! These muffins sound scrumptious! Nothing beats fresh berries in a delicious baked good!
My aunt and uncle used to live in Carlsbad, and it is maybe my favorite place on earth. I love these muffins!
I love fresh local strawberries, can’t wait until our market gets theirs which I hope is soon. It just opened this past weekend. These muffins look scrumptious!
Fresh strawberry are waiting to used, going to try this one. Muffins looks delicious.
I’ve missed your blog while I’ve been off from blogging… so many lovely recipes I’ve missed out on! These muffins are getting made for breakfast today! Thanks for sharing this recipe… hope you are well, Roxana! <3
Oh and thanks to Kim for this lovely recipe… Great post, Kim & Roxana! <3
Kim, so nice to see you here! Love your strawberry muffins. I can’t seem to get enough this season and I love that you are showcasing the fresh sweetness of strawberries in these lovely muffins.
Hi Kim, how gorgeous those fields are! The muffins look fantastic!
Roxana, I hope you are having a wonderful vacation…and I hope you both had a delightful Mothers Day!
Gorgeous photos and scrumptious recipe! x
These look great, especialy since strawberries are in season in peru at the moment.
you can’t go wrong with a good cookie, or as we call it in england “biscuit”