My first success came when I tried a variation on the pumpkin spice muffins. That recipe calls for a box of yellow cake mix, a can of pumpkin puree and water. That's it. Easy peasy and so delicious. The mood struck where I was craving something sweet yet healthy, and I found myself without a can of pumpkin, wondering what I could use as a substitute. I was pleasantly surprised with what I came up with:
Apple Spice Muffins
1 box yellow cake mix
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or 1-2 tsp of cinnamon)
1 1/2 c unsweetened apple sauce
1/2 c chickpeas
1 c water
Preheat oven to 350.
Puree chickpeas in food processor with water for 2 minutes. Add in applesauce and puree for an additional minute.
In a large bowl combine cake mix and applesauce mixture. Stir for two minutes.
Fill greased muffin tins 3/4 full and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
These were delicious and my kids devoured them. Then it got me thinking about how I could use one with a chocolate cake mix. Here's my twist:
Chocolate Banana Muffins
1 box chocolate cake mix (I used Devil's Food Cake as it's what I had on hand)
1/2 c unsweetened applesauce
1/2 c black beans
1 c water
2-3 over ripe bananas
Preheat oven to 350.
Puree black beans in food processor with water for 2 minutes. Add in applesauce and puree for an additional minute.
In a large bowl combine cake mix and applesauce mixture. Stir for two minutes.
Mash bananas and incorporate into the batter.
Fill greased muffin tins 3/4 full and bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
I loved these even more than the apple spice muffins. Most likely because they were chocolate! Mmmmm. What I enjoy most about these recipes is how you can easily adapt it to your tastes. Don't like banana's? Just add 1 c more applesauce. Or throw in some chocolate chips, or coconut. I added 1/2 c oats and some ground flax to a batch with great results too. It's virtually fool proof.
Enjoy and let me know what variations you come up with <3
D.
