Oat and Fruit Muffins

Warm muffins on a cold winter day.... makes my tummy cozy!

Oat and Fruit Muffins
2 cups self-rising flour
1 cup old-fashioned or quick-cooking oatmeal (NOT instant!)
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar (light or dark - no matter which)
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup cooking oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup dried fruit ( I used SunMaid Fruit Bits)
1/2 cup chopped nuts, optional

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. If you have convection, this is a great time to use it - same temp.
Grease 12 muffin cups. In a large bowl, combine flour, oatmeal and brown sugar; mix well.
In a small bowl, lightly beat eggs. Add milk and vanilla; blend well. Add to flour mixture; stir just until dry ingredients are moistened. Batter will be lumpy! Gently fold in dried fruit and nuts. Fill greased muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes (10 -12 in convection) or until golden brown. Serve hot!

* If you don't have self-rising flour, add 1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder and 1/2 teaspoon salt to each cup of all-purpose flour.