Delicious "Aussie" Bites Muffins

Introducing Gayle the Ukrainian-Canadian (my wife) in her first shot at a goody, here on FOOD JIM-POSSIBLE.  The urge to have a kitchen conquest overwhelmed her today I suppose, for the first thing I see after returning from dropping off mail is my mini-mouse sized wife cooking like a maniac.  Gayle fell in love with a little muffin creation called Aussie Bites.  She found these at Costco quite some time ago and couldn't put them down.  Reminded me of a crazed chocolate addict or something similar.  The problem I noticed with the Costco Aussie Bites is the calories and HUGE amounts of sugar.  Eating just one could throw you into a foaming, rabid, sugar rage or a damned coma.  Needless to say this had to be rectified in order for us to even want these within 100 meters of the house.  Gayle had a plan and here's how it went.  

Gayle's Ingredients for 48 Bites:
2 cups Quaker Oats
2 cups whole wheat flour
2/3 cups brown sugar
1 1/4 cups shredded coconut
1/3 cup sunflower seed kernels
1 cup assorted dried fruit (chopped) Gayle chose craisins and apricots)
1/4 cup honey
1 stick butter
1 tsp baking soda
2 tbsp hot water
3 eggs (whisked)
1 cup chopped almonds
1/4 cup flax seed meal
1/2 cup apple sauce

Gayle's Method:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Chop the fruit in a food chopper (see photo) or dice finely and set aside.

Mix the dry ingredients (oats, wheat flour, brown sugar, coconut, sunflower seed kernels).  Mix by hand until well blended, then add the chopped fruit and mix again well.  Set aside.
In a microwave approved bowl or measuring cup melt the honey and butter together, stir.
Mix the baking soda and water together and add to the honey/butter mixture.
Now the fun part, pout this honey mixture to the dry ingredients and add the eggs, mix until very well blended together (see photo).

Lightly grease a mini muffin pan (available at all department stores, yes, even the W Store).  Spoon out enough mixture into each muffin compartment and flatten with your rubber spatula or spoon.  (see photo)

Bake on the center rack of your oven for 12-14 minutes.  Cool on a wire rack.  (see photo)

These Gayle creations have quite a few less calories than the store bought version and obviously a lot less sugar.  I know this because I ate one and didn't fall over flat on my face or end up in a quivering pissing fit like the original Costco version.  These taste fantastic as all the fruit, nut and natural flavors speak for themselves, not being overwhelmed by SUGAR.  Serve these with coffee, tea or your favorite warm beverages.  Gayle suggested a dab of butter while still warm for those who aren't watching that cholesterol or calorie count.

CHEERS!