Magic Muffins

This recipe came off the side of a Malt-O-Meal box. I made these muffins for Sunday breakfast today; chocolate cereal with 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips added to the batter instead of nuts. They were crispy on top, very chocolatey and yummy! I mixed the batter too much and the tops came out flat, but no one seemed to care.

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup Malt-O-Meal hot cereal, dry (any flavor)
1/2 cup sugar
1 tbl. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup milk
1 egg
1/2 cup finely chopped nuts

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Stir together until just moistened. Spoon into greased or paper-lined 12-cup muffin pan, filling cups 3/4 full. Bake at 400ºF about 20 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve warm.

VARIATIONS:
Add 1/2 cup applesauce, 1/2 cup blueberries, 1/2 cup coconut, 3/4 cup mashed bananas or 1 tbl. poppy seed to batter. For streusel topping stir together 2 tbl. sugar, 1 tbl. Malt-O-Meal, 1/4 tsp. cinnamon and 1/4 tsp. nutmeg. Sprinkle on muffins before baking.