This week’s Craving Ellie recipe was my pick.  I was in the mood for something to do with Apples. Surprised?

DSC_7291

On page 22 of the Ellie Krieger’s cookbook “The Food You Crave”, there is a delightful and guilt-free muffin recipe.  They are are moist, tender with just the right hint of sweetness. 

DSC_7295

We all know Ellie’s recipes always turn out good so I decided to switch it up a bit and do my own recipe.  The reason for my changes:

  1. I always like to reduce sugar in a recipe.  Just …. because.
  2. I reduced the apple sauce because I used more Ricotta
  3. I didn’t want to buy the buttermilk and waste it. RIcotta was on hand so I thought I’d try it as a substitute.
  4. Can anyone EVER have enough apples?! I doubled the apples.

Makes 6 standard muffins

DSC_7292

PLUS 6 large muffins

DSC_7293

  • 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar + 2 TBS (I used 3/4 cup loosely measured brown sugar)
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup unsweetened apple sauce (I used 1/2 cup)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup lowfat buttermilk (I used 8 oz Part Skim Ricotta Cheese)
  • 1 Golden Delicious apple – peeled, cored, chopped (I used 2 GD Apples, diced)

Preheat the oven to 400F.  Line muffin tins with cupcake cups or spray with non-stick cooking spray.

In a small bowl, mix 2 TBS of the brown sugar with the pecans, cinnamon  and set aside.

In a medium bowl, mix the flours, baking soda, and salt.

In a large bowl, beat the remaining brown sugar, oil and eggs.

Whisk in the applesauce, vanilla and ricotta.  Stir in the flour mixture. Gently stir in the apple pieces.

*If using buttermilk, whisk in the applesauce and vanilla then stir in the flour mix alternating with the buttermilk until well combined. Add the apples.

Divide the batter equally in the muffin / cupcake cups.  Top with the pecan-sugar mix.  Bake for 20 minutes (standard muffins) to 25-30 minutes (large muffins).

DSC_7298

So tender. So delicious. Perfectly satisfying!  Hope everyone enjoyed this weeks recipe.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email