After-School Snacks

When the kids get home from school they're starved. If you're at work and can't be there when they get home, foraging can leave the kitchen a mess and leave you short crucial ingredients for dinner. Make the kid's after-school snacks ahead and tell them where to find them.

PB & J Muffins

no stick cooking spray
2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 cup milk
2 eggs
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup jam or jelly, any flavor

Optional Topping:
sugar

Heat oven to 375F. Spray 12 cup muffin pan with no-stick spray*. Mix flour, salt and baking powder in a large bowl. Add milk, eggs, sugar, peanut butter and oil to bowl; mix on low speed until moistened. Do not over beat.

Fill muffin cups half 1/3 full. Place 2 level teaspoons full of jam or jelly in the center of each muffin. Divide the remaining muffin batter evenly into each muffin cup. If you wish, sprinkle the tops with sugar. Bake for 18 - 20 minutes. Remove from the oven. Allow to cool in muffin pan for several minutes before turning out on wire rack to continue cooling.

*By all means, use the no-stick spray for easy clean up, but since I want these muffins to last for several days, I bake them in cupcake paper then, when they are completely cool, store them in two large ziplock bags. One goes in the freezer. One stays out for quick snacks.