Magnolia Bakery's cupcakes were made famous by Sex and the City (and on a smaller scale, by Andy Samberg's Lazy Sunday) and I miss having access to all the wonders of Magnolia in my backyard.


I picked up the Magnolia Bakery Cookbook so I could re-create the sweet masterpieces in my own kitchen, but started with something simple and semi-nutritious (let's not talk about all of the brown sugar) with the recipe for oatmeal muffins.

This is a perfect recipe to make with the kids because 1) my kid thinks muffins are just cupcakes without icing, meaning I've got a seriously enthusiastic helper, and 2) this is a simple dry bowl/wet bowl mixing process.

Esme was able to pour and mix every step of the way with minimal help from me. She's really getting good at this cooking business. Soon enough I'll have her opening her own bakery in Hollywood, then it's retirement time for mom and dad. Woot!

Be sure you buy rolled oats and not the instant kind when you shop for your ingredients. But mostly you'll have what you need in your cabinet (milk, flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, eggs, butter, vanilla, and light brown sugar) since this is a basic recipe you can dress up with your fruit or nut of choice.

Rather than stopping by the bakery, you can make a delicious breakfast treat that gives your kiddos a great grain to start their day. Yummmmmmy!