**By Jane Goodies **
Dear Jane:
I love muffins but am trying to eliminate processed sugar and empty calories from my diet as well as eat healthier and maybe spend less.The store purchased Muffins contain huge amounts of unpronounceable additives as well as being too expensive, any hints for changing a standard muffin recipe into something I can enjoy? PS: I have basic kitchen skills and limited time.
Thanks,
Mandy
Dear Mandy,
I hear your pain girl!! It’s often a losing battle to try to find a ready made muffin or other food to fit into specific nutritional needs, let's see what we can do with your standard muffin recipe. As you know I am all about back to basics and believe everyone should have a cupboard full of staples as well as the basic skills necessary to survive in the kitchen. It may sound "Old School" to some, but there are some things too important to neglect, and being able to feed yourself is one of them. This recipe is very basic, easy to mix and makes 12 large muffins and at under a hundred calories each and lots of fiber they are a great way to start your day.
PS: if your skills are a little more advanced give me a shout out and I will tell you how to lower the fat content even more by using whipped egg whites instead of whole eggs.
Banana Spice Muffins
You will need:
2 whole eggs
½ cup no sugar added applesauce (I keep the single portion lunch size in my cupboard, one container is perfect)
1 cup pourable Splenda
¼ cup brown sugar replacement ( like Sugar Twin)
2 Tbs butter
2 Tbs sour cream
2 Tbs banana extract
1 ½ tsp baking powder
¾ tsp baking soda
½ cup whole wheat flour
½ cup oats ( you can use 1 package of Quakers low-sugar banana nut instant) ...note, this has a tad of sugar so judge accordingly!!
½ cup ground flax meal (found at your local discount store in the flour aisle!!)
2 tbs sugar free instant banana pudding
½ cup powdered milk
Start by beating the eggs till frothy set aside, add the butter,sour cream and 'sugars ' together and beat till light and fluffy, add the eggs to the mixture and beat till smooth and blended, add the apple sauce, and extract mixing well; in a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients, then add a little at a time to the wet ingredients. Adding a bit of water if necessary. Batter should be thick. Spoon into lightly sprayed muffin cups, bake at 350 for 15-20 mins or until done, use a toothpick to test. Don't over bake!! Place on rack to cool. These are moist dense muffins, similar to banana bread and are very tasty spread with fat free cream cheese or butter.
This is my own recipe adaptation, nutrition information is available, just ask. enjoy
Best Regards,
Jane
