Sunday, January 4, 2009

Low Fat No Sugar Bran Muffins or BYU Mint Brownies?

Here is a little thought for your journey my father sent me in an email today:
Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody's watching. Sing like nobody's listening. Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

So for those who have set a goal to eat better, here is a great recipe for bran muffins.

BRAN MUFFINS
Healthy and Yummy--Adapted by Judy Sloan

3 Cups All Bran Cereal--Original Recipe
(Add to one cup boiling water.)

1/2 Cup unsweetened apple sauce (although I used sweetened with cinnamon)
1/2 Cup honey (can use brown sugar if you don't have honey but . . .)
2 eggs
2 Cups buttermilk
1 1/2 Cups white flour
1 Cup whole wheat flour (for a lighter muffin you can replace the whole wheat with white flour)
2 1/2 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt

Mix together by hand--don't use a mixer. (Since muffins can get tough if over mixed, I mixed all the ingredients together except the flour first, and then added the flour and mixed again-gently)

Bake at 400 for 10-15 minutes depending on the size of your muffins. I made 18 and baked them for 13 minutes. If you made 24 smaller ones, you probably would only bake them for about 10 minutes. Do not over bake.

But, on the other hand, if low fat, no sugar bran muffins aren't your thing . . .

BYU MINT BROWNIES!

MAKES ONE 9-BY-13 PAN OF BROWNIES.PREP AND COOK: 90 min. COOL: 1 hr.

1 c. margarine, 1/2 c. cocoa, 2 Tbsp. honey, 4 eggs, 2 c. sugar, 1 3/4 c. flour,1/2 Tbsp. baking powder, 1/2 tsp. salt, 1 c. chopped walnuts,

12 oz. chocolate icing (Use your own icing recipe or purchase some chocolate frosting. You can also search the Internet for chocolate icing recipes.)

MINT ICING
5 Tbsp. margarine, dash of salt, 3 Tbsp. milk, 1 Tbsp. light corn syrup, 2 1/3 c. powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp. mint extract, 1-2 drops green food coloring

1. Melt margarine and mix in cocoa. Allow to cool. Add honey, eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. Add nuts. Pour batter into a greased 9-by-13 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool.

2. Prepare mint icing: Soften margarine. Add salt, corn syrup, and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and fluffy. Add mint extract and food coloring. Mix. Add milk gradually until the consistency is a little thinner than cake frosting.

3. Spread mint icing over brownies. Place brownies in the freezer for a short time to stiffen the icing. Remove from the freezer and carefully add a layer of chocolate icing.

Which ever you choose . . .
ENJOY!

8 comments:

Emma T said...

I love BYU's brownies! Thanks for the recipe!

Marilyn said...

Yummy! I vote for the brownies but my middle aged body would probably need the muffins more.....

alpinekleins said...

Just saw your post from the link on "Mormon Moms", it is beautiful and I can't wait to try the recipes! I noticed when I glanced at your profile (I have family in Arizona, just wondered if you were close) you listed "Mrs. Mike" as a favorite. That was one of my all time favorites also . . . I read it soooo long ago I'd about forgotten all about it. Best Wishes -

Kristin

Dave and Camille said...

I'm so happy that you posted Judy's recipe... I was wanting those a little whle ago, but didn't have the recipe and was too lazy to try to get it. I don't appreciate the mint brownie recipe... I have no self control sometimes! ;)

alpinekleins said...

Thank you for stopping by! And the nice comments! Yep, most of my family and acquaintances are in the
Gilbert area. I have traveled to the area a couple times and it seems like such a wonderful place to live. Especially now when it's -2 below in the mornings! I have a great recipe for Chocolate Chip cookie dough cheesecake that I'm going to be posting this week - yum! A friend brought it for one of our holiday gatherings :)

Heidi said...

I vote for the Mint Brownies! Okay, now I have to go back and read your post. I just had to get that out of the way, first. :)

Heidi said...

Well, I can't eat either of them anyway, what with my wheat problem and all. I love your new blog look though! I heard from your daughter today--how fun for me to have fans. Woo hoo!

Momza said...

The brownies are a much-loved treat when I go to BYU's women's conference in the Spring! Now I have the recipe and won't have to wait!