A low fat recipe. No matter how busy you are at Christmastime you will want to make time to bake these scrumptious mincemeat muffins ~ only 12 to 15 minutes to make and 20 minutes to bake. Here is a recipe from a dear friend using her non traditional pear mincemeat recipe published recently. Substitutions have been made to the original recipe (eggs, oil and nuts) to reduce the total fat content of these super simple homemade muffins.
Mincemeat Muffin Ingredients
- 1 egg and 1 egg white (3 tablespoons)
- 2/3 cup organic sugar (Substitute Stevia for up to 1/2 of the sugar)
- 3 Tablespoons oil
- 4 Tablespoons apple sauce (with no sugar)
- 1 cup bran cereal
- 1 1/2 cups (buttermilk) Use skim milk and add 1 tbsp vinegar **
Note: if using home made pear mincemeat recipe reduce milk to 1 cup **
- 2 cups wholewheat flour (organic)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup Pear Mincemeat
- 1/2 cup nuts (optional)
Mincemeat Muffin Directions
- Beat the first 4 ingredients together (eggs, sugar, oil and apple sauce)
- Soak bran cereal in buttermilk and add to egg and sugar mixture
- Add flour mixture
- Add mincemeat and nuts
- Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes
This is a truly delightful muffin ~ always a success and they disappear from the plate super fast with questions for more please! It is very forgiving of preparations and ingredients used so hope you take 15 minutes from your day to try these delightful Mince Muffins. Finally, take good care of yourself. It is the Season to be jolly including eating and drinking responsibly. Perhaps consider sharing being a Designated Driver when out with friends.
Sugar-substitute and spice
and everything nice
that’s what these low fat
Christmas treats are made of!
Notes
- This recipe makes 16 to 18 muffins
- Approximately 2.6 fat grams per muffin
- To further reduce overall fat content the nuts may be omitted.
- Or sprinkle a few chopped almonds on top of muffins before baking
- Crushed bran flakes were used to make up one cup bran
- Muffins have been made with both organic whole wheat and organic spelt flour successfully
- As always using organic ingredients is recommended but your choice
- Previously made muffin mix was refrigerated for a day before baking and were just as delicious
- Cooked muffins freeze well
General guidelines for low fat baking
- The definition I use for low fat is a food portion below 3 grams of fat per serving as per the American Cancer Society
- When converting a regular recipe to low fat I usually use a little oil (no trans fats) especially when making muffins in paper baking cups as this prevents them from sticking or use a spray oil to coat your muffin tray. One gram of butter or oil equals 14 grams of fat
- In most recipes I substitute egg whites for all eggs except for one egg with yolk which equals 5 grams of fat
- Up to 50% of sugar may be substituted with Stevia ~ which greatly lowers total calories
- When baking for Christmas, or any other time, make smaller portions as they contain less fat and calories
… a few Christmas ideas
- Suggest pot luck get together meals with friends and family
- If you have special dietary or food concerns bring a plate of food you can eat
- When dining out at a friends gift pack (and freeze) low fat treats as gifts instead of candy and chocolates
- Soaps, candles and plants are also lovely hostess gifts
- Three simply healthy make ahead snack ideas
- Do plan and make some freeze ahead meals and baking for unexpected company (vegetarian chillis, lasagne)
- If purchasing commercial food products remember to read the labels
- Christmas reminders
- Christmas 2012 CAP Christmas gift ideas
- Christmas 2012 CAP long distance gift giving ideas
- Christmas 2010 More Christmas ideas
