Friday, April 20, 2012

Bananas about Muffins!

I think most people will agree that a freshly baked muffin is a fantastic morning treat.  But a lot of muffins from the store, from Starbucks--and even sometimes from scratch--can be loaded with fat and calories. 

A couple of years ago I stumbled upon this banana chocolate chip muffin recipe and it changed my life.  Loaded with fiber, low in fat and sugar and DELICIOUS.  They're a huge hit with my friends, family and coworkers.  Oh, and did I mention they're only 200 calories? 

The main key in this recipe is that you put a FEW chocolate chips on top as opposed to mixing a whole bag into the batter.  I like to push one or two down into the batter in each individual muffin though--gives a little more chocolate-y taste INSIDE the muffin.  :)

**Note I leave out the nuts sometimes and always use DARK chocolate chips (when I leave the nuts out I add a 5th chip. ;) ) 

ENJOY!

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Make this "Cook Yourself Thin" recipe.Serves 12
Calories per serving: 200

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup rolled oats
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 ripe banana, mashed
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 large eggs
1 1/4 cups reduced-fat buttermilk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 tablespoons chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a 12-muffin tray with paper liners. Set aside.
2. In a standing mixer, combine the all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, rolled oats, ground cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt and mashed banana, and blend on low speed for 2 minutes. Add the walnuts, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs and reduced-fat buttermilk, and blend for 2 minutes on medium speed. Add the vanilla extract and mix until well combined.

3. Using an ice cream scoop, portion the batter evenly into the muffin tin, and top each muffin with 3 to 4 chocolate chips. Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Once muffins are baked through, remove them from the oven and let cool. Serve.