Gingerbread Cupcakes

Cakes:
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup Quaker Oats (Quick or Old Fashioned, uncooked)
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/2 cup skim milk
1/2 cup molasses
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg, lightly beaten

Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
3 to 4 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon peel (optional)

Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Line 12 medium muffin cups with paper baking cups.

In large bowl, combine flour, oats, sugar, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon and salt; mix well. In medium bowl, combine milk, molasses, oil and egg; mix well. Add to dry ingredients all at once; mix until well blended. Fill muffin cups almost full.

Bake 20 to 23 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan; cool completely on wire rack.

Combine glaze ingredients, adding enough lemon juice for desired consistency; mix until smooth. Drizzle glaze over cooled cupcakes. Store loosely covered.

For Gift Giving: Arrange a few cupcakes on small plate; overwrap with cellophane and top with a bow. Or, place six cupcakes in a foil muffin pan and wrap with cellophane.

Yields 12 cupcakes

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of Quaker Oats - used with permission.