Carrot Cupcakes Made Over

Every now and then, I get a craving for something sweet. Who doesn't? My most favorite kind of cake is carrot cake, so I've been in the mood to make carrot cake.We all know that the white flour, the oils, and all other ingredients can make cake and cupcakes less than healthy, so I wanted to share my version so you can splurge without all the guilt.

I made Whole Wheat Carrot Cupcakes yesterday and thought I'd share my recipe:

Sift together in a large mixing bowl:

1 1/4 cups of whole wheat flour

1 t. baking soda

1/4 t. salt

Set aside.

In another mixing bowl, combine:

2 beaten large eggs

3/4 cup light brown sugar

2 medium to large shredded carrots

1/8 c. canola oil

1/8 c. orange juice or pineapple juice

1/2 c. applesauce (natural without added sugar)

1 t. pure vanilla extract

1 t. ground cinnamon

1/2 t. ground nutmeg

1/4 t. ground cloves

1/3 c. chopped pecans or walnuts

Combine all ingredients.

Use silicone muffin cups or a muffin pan with muffin liners and pour in the batter.

Bake in a preheated, 350 degree oven for 18-21 minutes. Makes 12 large cupcakes.

Cool.

While cooling, make the Cinnamon Orange Cream Cheese Frosting.

Mix about 3/4 of an 8 ounce package (6 oz. or so...I never really measure this exactly) of fat free or low fat cream cheese with 3/4 cup of confectioner's sugar, a teaspoon of milk, and cinnamon (I add just about 1/2 t.). Then add in the zest of a small orange. Mix with electric mixer until it's nice and creamy.

Eat and enjoy! Store in the fridge.

Monday's Food: Granola Bar Makeover

The bars make a great afternoon snack for the kiddos...and a pick me up for the grown ups!

Oats & dried cranberries

The boys are happy there's still chocolate chips in their bars! For a healthier bar, omit the chips. These are my boys' favorite bars, though...

Coconut and some cinnamon & nutmeg give more flavor!

I've decided to make Monday my official recipe day. The other days will focus on style and fashion.

My boys love granola bars, but have you checked out the ingredients list lately for the popular ones found in the grocery store? 


One often associates granola bars with a healthy treat, but most are anything but.

Not such a healthy treat! Here is the listing for Quaker's Chocolate Chip Granola Bars:

Ingredients: granola (whole grain rolled oats, rolled whole wheat, brown sugar, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil [soybean and/or cottonseed oil] dried coconut, whole wheat flour, honey), semisweet chocolate chips (sugar, chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, soy lecithin [an emulsifier], vanilla flavor), corn syrup, crisp rice (rice, sugar, salt, barley malt), high fructose corn syrup, sugar, corn syrup solids, glycerin, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (soybean and/or cottonseed oil), sorbitol, salt, molasses, water, natural and artificial flavors, BHT (a preservative), citric acid. Contains wheat and soy ingredients. May contain traces of peanuts.

How many variations of high fructose corn syrup do they need? Do you see the BHT on the label? BHT is short for BUTYLATED HYDROXY TOLUENE, a carcinogen shown to affect the kidneys and liver.

I know I don't want my boys eating that stuff! I don't want it either.

Here is my recipe for a wholesome snack for your kids--and you! Agave nectar replaces sugar in this recipe. Again, for an even less sweet recipe, leave out the chocolate chips.

Ingredients:

3/4 cup of chopped dry cranberries

1 cup of water

In a small saucepan, boil the cranberries and the water together for about 5 to 10 minutes. Drain, reserving 1/4 water.

3/4 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 cup shredded coconut

1 t. ground cinnamon

1/2 t. ground nutmeg

1 T. pure vanilla extract

1/2 c. agave nectar

1/3 c. almond butter

1/2 c. chocolate chips (I used Ghiradelli 70% cacao)

To make:

Mix the agave nectar, almond butter, and water together. Stir over low heat until combined. Pour this over your oats, seeds, coconut, vanilla and spices. Stire in chocolate chips until combined.

Press into a 13 by 9 glass pan.

Bake at 250 for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Cut into squares and cool.