Elderberry Leftovers

We have been using elderberry syrup to treat the flu for a few years.  We have not had that illness so far this winter, but when Ellie had RSV the nurse practitioner told Justin that it does seem effective against that, though not colds.  We didn't have enough berries left to make a batch, so he bought a tiny bottle (4 fluid ounces) at the pharmacy, for around $15.  Yikes!

He seems to have caught her illness, as it seems the childhood immunity does eventually wear off, so rather than continuing to buy the pharmacy version I went and restocked our elderberry supply.  I also bought some local honey.  I'd picked up some ginger at the grocery, and the rest of the ingredients I had on hand.  The total cost (for the portion I used, as I bought a large jar of honey) ran us:

Elderberries:   $2.50
Local honey:   $5.66
Ginger:            $0.50

TOTAL:          $8.66 for more than 2 cups

After Kate and I made the syrup we had the left over elderberries.  I always hated throwing them out, but she really prompted me to look for a use other than compost.  I saw a few recipes for muffins.  None of them quite fit, since we'd already stewed the berries.  I came up with this recipe, and it worked perfectly.  Note, we used 3 drops of clove oil, so we didn't have whole cloves mixed in, as you might, depending on your syrup recipe.

Elderberry Muffins
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup milk
1 egg
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
a pinch of salt
3/4 cup flax seed
1 1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup dried elderberries, after drained for syrup with other ingredients removed

Beat butter and granulated sugar.  Blend in all but the elderberries.  Stir in elderberries.  Bake at 425 degrees for 20 minutes.

Yield: about 15 muffins.