Low Fat Christmas Tree Chocolate Cupcakes

Overwhelmed With Joy is hosting the 2nd annual Holiday Cooking, Blogger Style carnival today. I participated last year and shared my recipe for Wake Up Casserole which I’ve used for many years. This year I’m sharing a new recipe with you. I’m always on a mission to find delicious low fat recipes especially at the holidays. This recipe gives you the taste of something sweet without all the calories and fat. The recipe originally called them a muffin but I think they taste more like a cupcake….they are soooo good!!! Tonight in honor of Holiday Cooking I decided to do mini cupcakes instead of the regular size and then decorated them in the shape of a Christmas tree. My family thought I was crazy considering it is only October! Such fun :)

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 20 min. per batch

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 3/4 cups packed brown sugar
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 egg whites
1 egg
2 cups unsweetened applesauce
1 3/4 cups fat-free milk
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups semisweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl, combine the flours, brown sugar, cocoa, salt, baking powder and baking soda. In another bowl, whisk the egg whites, egg, applesauce, milk, oil and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in chocolate chips.

Coat mini muffin cups with nonstick cooking spray; fill three-fourths full with batter. Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes (less for mini) or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks. Serve warm. Yield: 32 reg cupcakes or many more mini cupcakes.

For the holidays arrange mini cupcakes in the shape of a Christmas tree. Using Cool Whip Light from the can cover each cupcake and between with a spray of Cool Whip and then sprinkle green sugar all over the tree and red sugar for the star. Very pretty!

Source: Simple & Delicious Jan/Feb 2007

Nutrition facts (one reg size cupcake): 1 cupcake equals 161 calories, 3 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 7 mg cholesterol, 150 mg sodium, 31 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 3 g protein. Diabetic exchanges: 2 starch, 1 fat.