Good for You Chocolate Muffins

Okay - well they might not be good for you but they are Better For You Chocolate Muffins than a standard muffin. These use applesauce in place of oil, fat-free milk and egg substitute. I love the addition of the sliced almonds as called for in the original recipe but I've also used a white chocolate chip & peanut butter chips in it's place for a fun twist to the muffin. Original recipe was found in a Simple & Delicious flyer submitted by C. Gaus.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 12
• Yields: 12 muffins

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄4 cups flour
• 1⁄2 cup sugar (may use a substitute if you need to watch sugar intake too)
• 1⁄3 cup  baking cocoa
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1  cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1⁄2 cup nonfat milk
• 1⁄2 cup egg substitute
• 1  teaspoon vanilla (using almond extract is a nice twist too)
• 1⁄4 cup  sliced almonds (you may use a chopped almond too)

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder and baking soda.
2. In another bowl, whisk the applesauce, milk, egg substitute and vanilla until smooth.
3. Stir wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until moistened (do not over stir or your muffins will turn out too dense).
4. Coat 12 muffins cups with non-stick spray or use a paper liner. Fill cups three-fourths full with batter.
5. Sprinkle with the almonds (or you can use a white chocolate chip, peanut butter chip, chopped peppermints).
6. Bake at 375*F for 20-25 minutes or until muffins test done with a pick.
7. Cool for 15 minutes before removing muffins from the baking cups and allowing to cool completely on a wire rack.