Cran Apple Bran Muffins (Faux VitaTop Muffin Copycat)

I have developed a love for the lowfat, low calorie muffin tops that are the Vitalicious VitaTop Muffin Tops. However, I DON’T love the exorbitant amount of money these little morsels cost. So, I set out to make my own.  My two favorite flavors are Deep Chocolate and Cranberry Apple Bran.  I think I have successfully found recipes that copy both (chocolate one to come at a later time).  After finding a nice base recipe for a Cranberry Apple Bran recipe (full fat), I started tweaking (while enduring some pretty dry/flat versions) until I got a lowfat/low cal version of it that I’m happy with. And here I am to share my results with you.

Plus, like the VitaTops, these are right around 95 calories each with just 0.4 g fat and about 2.2g fiber. (i.e, good for you!). The full nutrition stats are at the bottom of the post for all of you out there who want the deets.

These muffins are GOOD. So good I can’t wait for them to cool down after they come out of the oven and generally end up burning my tongue off on the super hot apples inside. Worth the burn.

Cran Apple Bran Muffins

Makes 18 muffins. (faux vitatop muffin copycat recipe)

• 1 c wheat bran
• 3/4 c skim milk
• 1 1/4 c wheat flour
• 1 1/2 t baking powder
• 1/4 t baking soda
• 1/4 t salt
• 1 1/2 t cinnamon
• 1/4 t nutmeg
• 1/4 c brown sugar
• 1/2 c splenda
• 1/3 c applesauce, unsweetened
• 1/4 c nonfat egg substitute (or egg whites)
• 1 Tbsp vinegar
• 1 1/2 chopped, peeled apples
• 1/3 c Craisins

1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly coat a 18 cups of 2 muffin tins with nonstick spray.
2. Combine wheat bran and milk. Let rest 5 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl.
4. In a separate bowl, combine brown sugar, splenda, applesauce, egg and vinegar.
5. Add wheat bran and milk mixture and wet ingredient mixture to the dry mix and stir until just combined (do not over mix)
6. Stir in apples and Craisins (or reserve Craisins to sprinkle over the top if you wish).
7. Divide batter evenly between 18 muffin cups. Bake 12-15 mins, until a toothpick comes out clean.
8. Devour!

Nutrition: 95 calories. 0.4g fat. 20.7g carb. 2.2g fiber. 2.2g protein.

Muffin Mania

I have been delaying posting these recipes waiting to take some pictures, but my life is crazy right now so I unfortunately haven’t been able to get to it.  In the meantime, I don’t want to keep these AH-MAZ-ING recipes from you, my loyal readers, any longer. These are both really really delicious, almost non-fat (traces of fat from fruits & egg substitute) and right around 100 cals each. How can you go wrong?

Wheat Bran Banana Muffins

• 4 Bananas, very ripe
• 1/2 c unsweetened applesauce
• 1/3 c brown sugar
• 1/3 c splenda
• 1/3 c egg substitute (or egg whites)
• 3/5 c skim milk, soured with 1 Tbsp white vinegar
• 2 c whole wheat flour
• 1 c wheat bran
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 3/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (approx)

1. Preheat oven to 375. Spray muffin tin with non-stick spray.
2. In a large bowl, mash bananas. To bananas, add applesauce, sugar, splenda, egg whites, skim milk with vinegar added to it.
3. In a separate bowl, mix flour, bran, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
4. Add dry ingredients to wet, and stir until just combined. Do not over beat.
5. Divide evenly between 18-24 muffin cups, sprinkle with about 5 chocolate chips each muffin, and bake for 18-22 minutes, until lightly browned and knife inserted comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

Mango Coconut Muffins

• 2 c whole wheat flour
• 1/4 c sugar
• 3/4 c splenda
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3/4 c egg substitute
• 1/2 c unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 c skim milk
• 1 Tbsp vinegar
• 2 tsp coconut flavoring
• 2 cups diced mango (about 3 mangos)
• 1 medium banana, mashed

1. Preheat oven to 350. Generously spray muffin tins with cooking spray (these tend to stick a bit)
2. In a large bowl, combine the first 5 ingredients (dry ingredients).
3. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients except the mango and banana.
4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until just moistened.
5. Stir in mango and banana. Bake for 20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.