Cook Yourself Thin Vanilla Cupcakes

A little over 200 calories for a CUPCAKE?!?! While watching tv one afternnoon, my DH & I stumbled upon the show "Cook Yourself Thin" and watched Harry make these healthy cupcakes. Sounds so great!

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 12
• Yields: 12 cupcakes

Ingredients

• For the Frosting

• 3  large  egg whites
• 1  cup sugar
• 1  pinch salt
• 3⁄4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄2  finely grated lemon, zest of

• For the Cupcakes

• 1 1⁄4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 cup  finely ground  almonds
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 2  eggs
• 3⁄4 cup sugar
• 2  teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 1⁄4 cups  peeled zucchini, finely grated

Directions

1. For the frosting: Combine the egg whites, sugar, salt and vanilla extract in a heatproof bowl and set over (not in) a pan of simmering water.
2. Stir continuously over heat until the mixture is warm and the sugar is completely dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Remove the bowl from the heat. Using an electric mixer, beat on high until the mixture is entirely cooled, glossy and stiff, about 7 minutes.
4. Blend in the lemon zest until smooth — once smooth, take care not to overbeat or the mixture will get lumpy. Let frosting set and cool in the refrigerator (at least 30 minutes), while making the cupcakes.
5. For the cupcakes: Whisk together the flour, almonds and baking powder. In another bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, salt and vanilla with a mixer until thick and light-colored, about 4 minutes.
6. Beat in the zucchini on low speed until fully incorporated.
7. Add the dry ingredients and beat on low speed until fully incorporated, scraping down the bowl once with a spatula during beating. Use a 1/3-cup measure to spoon into the muffin cups.
8. Bake at 350 until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 to 25 minutes, turning the pan midway through baking. Transfer cupcakes out onto a wire rack and cool completely before icing with the chilled frosting.