Combine and allow to cool:

3/4 cup twelve-grain cereal
1 1/2 cup boiling water
1 tsp instant coffee (optional)

In a large bowl, add and combine well:

1 egg
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup oil
twelve-grain mixture as prepared above
1 tsp vanilla or maple extract
3/4 cup chopped dates

In a smaller bowl, combine well:

1 1/2 cups cake and pastry flour, unsifted
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Combine wet and dry mixtures and fold together gently until just mixed. Spoon into prepared pan. Bake at 200 C (400 F) for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on rack. Makes 12 medium-sized muffins.

Try substituting 3/4 cup cracked wheat for twelve-grain cereal.

The twelve grains are cracked wheat, rye meal, cornmeal, rolled oats, barley grits, sunflower seeds, buckwheat groats, flaxseed, millet, rice grits, and soya grits. Six-grain cereal is also available and may be substituted.