Health(ier) Cupcakes!

I found a quick and easy recipe for chocolate cupcakes several days ago, and I tweeked it a little bit to make them healthier.  This recipe makes 12 cupcakes, and each one (including icing) has 122 calories, 0 grams of fat, and 2 grams of fiber. 

To amp up the nutritional benefits a little, I did a 1/2 white flour and 1/2 whole wheat flour mixture.  I also did a 1/2 sugar and 1/2 Splenda mixture.  In place of the normal vegetable oil, I used unsweetened applesauce.  Grace and the other kids I babysit gobbled them up and didn’t even know they were healthier!

Also, this is the perfect recipe for kids to help cook in the kitchen.  It’s so easy…no mixer, one bowl, and simple ingredients.

Fat-Free Chocolate Cupcakes

• 3/4 c. white flour
• 3/4 c. whole wheat flour
• 1/2 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. Splenda (granulated for baking)
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 3 tbsp. cocoa (I used Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa – yum!)
• 1 tbsp. white vinegar
• 7 tbsp. unsweetened applesauce
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 c. water

Sift first 7 ingredients together, then add remaining ingredients. Pour into cupcake pan (with liners). Bake at 350 degrees for 18 minutes, remove from pan, let cool and frost.

Easy Icing

• 1 c. powdered sugar
• 1/8 tsp. flavoring (almond, vanilla, etc.)
• 3 tsp. milk (or water or any other juice or drink)

Stir together.  Use one teaspoon of icing for each cupcake.  Shake a few sprinkles on top for a festive look.  Enjoy!