Delicious Low-Sugar Muffins

These are wonderfully moist muffins with a sweetness from applesauce and fruit. Enjoy!

Low-Sugar Muffins

4 Tbl. butter, softened
1 egg
1/2 cup applesauce
6 ounces plain low-fat yogurt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour (I used whole wheat pastry flour)
2 Tbl. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
3/4 cup dried fruit (cranberries, cherries, raisins, etc.) OR fresh or frozen blueberries
1/3 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease muffin tins (10-12 muffin cups) or line with paper liners.

Combine softened butter, egg, applesauce, yogurt, and vanilla. Mix well.

Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda in a second bowl. Add fruit and nuts.

Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients.

Spoon into muffin tins. (I used my large cookie scoop.) Bake 20-22 minutes. Remove immediately from muffin tins and place on a wire rack to cool.

Makes 10-12

Banana Blueberry Bread

This bread is low in fat and sugar, but very full of flavor. The bananas and blueberries sweeten the bread and the walnuts add healthy fat. Enjoy!

Banana Blueberry Bread

1/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
3 very ripe, mashed bananas (use 2 large or 3 small)
1 cup flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup blueberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees (325 for glass pan) and spray nonstick cooking spray to coat the inside of a loaf pan. In a large bowl, mix together the oil and sugar. Then add the egg and the bananas. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt, until well mixed. Stir in the blueberries and the nuts. Pour the batter into prepared pan and bake for 55 minutes.

Butternut Squash Soup

Butternut Squash Soup

4 cups cooked butternut squash
2 cups chicken stock or broth
1 cup fat free half & half
1/2 cup applesauce
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients in blender and pulse until smooth. Pour mixture into pan and heat soup until hot, but not boiling. Top with sour cream, if desired.