Pineapple Surprise Muffins...Where the Surprise is Mom's Secret!

Toddlers have a reputation of disliking most vegetables and being picky eaters. This creates a challenge for most parents, it creates a power struggle at dinner. Before you know it, you have Mom's and Dad's begging a child to eat a piece of broccoli, pleading and bartering. At the same time, you have a a precious tot…refusing to eat…loving the attention they are getting and winning the power struggle too because you will rarely win that fight. You may talk an older child into trying a bite, but a toddler, very doubtful! So we recommend to beat your toddler at their game and manipulate them a little bit! Try hiding the nutrition, what they don't know won't hurt them, right? This recipe is perfect because your little one will believe that they are getting a sweet, satisfying breakfast or snack and you will know that you are providing them with a veggie serving all the while and zucchini to boot!

You will need the following ingredients for this recipe:

For the Muffins:
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup oil
3 cups zucchini -- grated
1 cup crushed pineapple -- drained
1 cup walnuts -- chopped

For the Glaze:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon pineapple juice
1 teaspoon corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 regular-size muffin tins with baking cups. In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, soda, salt, and cinnamon; set aside. In another large bowl, beat together eggs, sugar, vanilla, and oil. Add the shredded zucchini and mix well. Add flour mixture, and blend. Stir in pineapple and walnuts. Pour batter in equal parts into muffin cups. Bake about 20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center of muffin comes out clean. For the glaze, mix all ingredients until smooth. Spread them over the top and serve!

Makes about 2 dozen muffins.