Monday, November 29, 2010

Simple Sausage Lasagna Recipe

Simple Sausage Lasagna Recipe
Photo by: Taste of Home
Rating 4.83
95% would make again
When I saw a lasagna recipe that did not call for precooking the noodles, I was anxious to try this time-saving shortcut. Making some changes and additions to suit my taste, I developed this popular dish that I now call my own.
  • 12 Servings
  • Prep: 20 min. Bake: 55 min. + standing

Ingredients

  • 1 pound bulk pork sausage
  • 1 jar (26 ounces) Hunt’s® Spaghetti Sauce Traditional
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 3 cups (24 ounces) 4% cottage cheese
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon each garlic powder, pepper, dried basil and oregano
  • 9 uncooked lasagna noodles
  • 3 cups (12 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Directions

  • In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the spaghetti sauce and water. Simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the eggs, cottage cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley and seasonings.
  • Spread 1/2 cup meat sauce into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Layer with three noodles and a third of the cheese mixture, meat sauce and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers twice.
  • Cover and bake at 375° for 45 minutes. Uncover; bake 10 minutes longer or until noodles are tender. Let stand for 15 minutes before serving. Yield: 12 servings.

Caramel-Pecan Cheesecake Pie Recipe

Caramel-Pecan Cheesecake Pie Recipe
Photo by: Taste of Home
Rating 4.85
91% would make again
In fall or any time of year, this nutty, rich and delicious pie is one I am proud to serve. While it seems very special, it's a snap to make.—Becky Ruff, Monona, Iowa
  • 6-8 Servings
  • Prep: 15 min. Bake: 35 min. + chilling

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet refrigerated pie pastry
  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon Spice Island® Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1-1/4 cups chopped pecans
  • 1 jar (12-1/4 ounces) fat-free caramel ice cream topping

Directions

  • Line a 9-in. pie plate with pastry. Trim and flute edges. In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, 1 egg and vanilla until smooth. Spread into pastry shell; sprinkle with pecans.
  • In a small bowl, whisk remaining eggs; gradually whisk in caramel topping until blended. Pour slowly over pecans.
  • Bake at 375° for 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned (loosely cover edges with foil after 20 minutes if pie browns too quickly). Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight before slicing. Yield: 6-8 servings.

    Editor’s Note: This recipe was tested with Smucker’s ice cream topping.

Nutrition Facts: 1 piece equals 502 calories, 33 g fat (11 g saturated fat), 142 mg cholesterol, 277 mg sodium, 45 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 8 g protein.

Holiday Baking

Have your family and friends wake up to delicious morning favorites like cinnamon rolls, sticky buns, stollen, scones, muffins, fruitcake, yeast breads, quick breads and coffee cake.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Hướng dẫn làm sữa chua

Hướng dẫn làm sữa chua

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Smooth Vanilla Cheesecake

Smooth Vanilla Cheesecake

I've always loved the smooth creamy taste of a baked cheesecake .. . .
I've experimented with many different methods and I've found the secret.
No cracks. . . not a one.
It is one of the easiest and classiest desserts to serve.
Creamy Vanilla Cheesecake
  • Preheat oven to 325
Roughly cut a piece of parchment paper to fit larger than a 9 inch spring form pan. Lay the parchment paper on to the bottom and put the edge around and squeeze the pan shut leaving the excess paper on the outside of the pan. I do this because it makes it really easy to transfer onto a serving plate once it is very well chilled. .
  • 1 1/4 cups graham wafer crumbs
  • 1/4 cup melted butter
Mix together the crumbs and the butter and press into the pan. I use a flat bottomed glass to make it nice and smooth and firmly pressed.
Bake the crumbs in the pan for about 10 minutes or until they are a bit fragrant.
Filling
  • 4 packages cream cheese. . . total 2 pounds .. . . room temperature
  • 5 farm fresh eggs
  • 1 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • a squeeze fresh lemon juice. . maybe a couple of teaspoons
Topping
  • 1 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
Make sure that all your ingredients are room temperature.
Preheat oven to 500 F
In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese on low for a minute or two until it is smooth and creamy.
Add the salt and the sugar and beat another minute or two until it is smooth. Never beat the cheese to death. Incorporating too much air will cause your cheesecake to rise and then fall and the .. .well you know what happened to humpty dumpty.
Stop your mixer in between to scrape down the sides so that all the cream cheese and sugar is evenly mixed.
Add the flour and mix until incorporated. . .not more than a minute. Now. . you don't really absolutely need flour but it helps to bind the custard. . .and keep the cheesecake stable.
Now. . .the eggs should be cracked into a bowl and at room temperature. Add one egg at a time. . they'll naturally slip in one at a time if you don't dump your bowl to quickly.
Mix the eggs in just until smooth. Add the cream and and the vanilla and lemon juice. . .another mix for half a minute.
Take your pan with the cooled crumb crust and wrap it in heavy aluminum foil. It doesn't need to be anything fancy .. .sometimes the fat will ooze a bit and the foil also helps to insulate the pan a bit. (well that's why I do it)
Now. . .
Gently pour the cheesecake batter into your pan and set it in the 500 degree oven. Set your timer for 10 minutes. At 10 minutes turn your oven to 200 degrees. Bake for another hour and 10 minutes. Don't peek.
While the cheesecake is baking, stir together your sour cream, sugar and vanilla.
After the hour and ten, the cake should be fairly set. . open up the oven and pour your topping (which really is optional but I love it) on your cake smooth it out and put it back in your oven for another 10 minutes.
Put an instant read thermometer in the center of the cheesecake. Your aim is to have it read 150.
The total baking time shouldn't be more than about an hour and a half up to an hour and forty minutes but you really need the instant read thermometer to help you with knowing when it is done. The jiggly in the center is also a good judge but it is hard to get it perfect with this test. I hate to say the exact time because every oven is a wee bit different. . you need the thermometer .. .150
Take the cheesecake out of the oven and let it sit in a draft free room temperature spot for a few hours and then chill it completely in the fridge.
Blueberry Sauce
  • 2-3 cups fresh blueberries
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1/3 cup sugar or to taste
  • a squeeze of lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup water
Combine all this and cover and put in the microwave for a minute, stir and cook for another minute or two until bubbly.
I also made some raspberry coulis which is 2 cups of raspberries and a half cup of sugar in the blender. .
Pool a little raspberry sauce on your plate, put on your cheesecake and cover with a good tablespoon or two of blueberry sauce. . .and a dollop of whipped cream for good measure.
Have ONE piece. . .and share the rest. ( that is my heart healthy tip)

Mennonite Girls Can Cook

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Bagel Sandwich

I always keep some Whole Wheat Multigrain Bagels in my freezer for a quick lunch. When you buy bagels don't assume that a Mulitgrain Bagel is Whole Wheat. Depending on where you live. . .Multigrain might very well mean that the Bagel has various grains in it. Read your label to be sure that the flour is Whole Wheat.
On this bagel I change up the ingredients but I almost always use a meat. . a type of cheese. .and a topping of veggie. Try different combinations to keep your lunches interesting.

  1. First spread your bagel with Dijon Mustard.
  2. Then choose a thin slice or two of either
  • smoked turkey or chicken
  • lean ham
  • crisp bacon
  • a cheese of your choice. I used a spicy jalapeno havarti.
Top with a few slices of veggie . . or just thin tomato. Keep the tomato thin so it broils up nicely.
If you want a veggie sandwich just use some peppers and cheese.
I'm sure you will have lots of your own ideas. . .please share. I'll add them onto the recipe.

Rolo Cookies



If you are looking for a nice gooey, caramel-filled chocolate cookie...here's a recipe for you. They've been a Christmas favorite at our place for some years...since the time my sister was employed at Nestle Canada and had access to Rolos in abundance! Now it seems I'm always on a mad hunt just before Christmas, looking for Rolos. This year I found them at the third store...but they were all out of the regular Rolos, and had only the jumbo sized or a bag of minis. I used Rolo minis this year...and they work great! The cookies are a wee bit smaller...but nicer for the Christmas trays.


Rolo Cookies

1 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
2 tsp. vanilla
3/4 cup cocoa
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 cup chopped pecans
1 Tablespoon sugar
48 Rolo candies (or one bag Rolo minis)

Cream 1 cup butter together with the brown and white sugar until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs...beat well. Add flour, cocoa, and baking soda. Stir in a half cup of the chopped pecans.
In a separate bowl, combine 1/2 cup chopped pecans with 1 tablespoon sugar. With floured hands, wrap 1 tablespoon of dough around a Rolo, covering completely. Press one side of dough/ball into pecan sugar mixture. Place, nuts side up, 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 375 degrees for 7-10 minutes, or until set and slightly cracked. Cool two minutes...remove from pans.

Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe

Chocolate Caramel Cookies Recipe
Photo by: Taste of Home
Rating 5
100% would make again
This is my favorite recipe for bake sales and bazaars. Each delightfully sweet chocolate cookie has a fun caramel surprise in the middle, thanks to Rolo candy. Dipped in pecans before baking, they look so nice that they sell in a hurry.
This recipe is:
Contest Winning
  • 30 Servings
  • Prep:25 min. Bake: 10 min.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons Spice Islands®, All Natural, No Corn Syrup Added, Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup baking cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup chopped pecans, divided
  • 1 package (13 ounces) Rolo candies

Directions

  • In a large bowl, cream butter, 1 cup sugar and brown sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla. Combine flour, cocoa and baking soda; gradually add to creamed mixture just until combined. Stir in 1/2 cup pecans.
  • Shape dough by tablespoonfuls around each candy. In a small bowl, combine remaining pecans and sugar; dip each cookie halfway.
  • Place with nut side up on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 7-10 minutes or until top is slightly cracked. Cool for 3 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Yield: about 5 dozen.

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (2 each) equals 244 calories, 12 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 32 mg cholesterol, 134 mg sodium, 32 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 3 g protein.

Caramel Heavenlies Recipe

Caramel Heavenlies Recipe
Photo by: Taste of Home
Rating 4.73
91% would make again
My mom made these dressy, sweet cookies for cookie exchanges when I was a little girl, letting me sprinkle on the almonds and coconut. They're so easy to fix that sometimes I can't wait 'til Christmas to make a batch. —Dawn Burns, Troy, Ohio
This recipe is:
Contest Winning
  • 36 Servings
  • Prep: 20 min. Bake: 15 min.

Ingredients

  • 12 whole graham crackers
  • 2 cups miniature marshmallows
  • 3/4 cup butter
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon Spice Islands®, All Natural, No Corn Syrup Added, Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 1 cup sliced almonds
  • 1 cup flaked coconut

Directions

  • Line a 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan with foil. Place graham crackers in pan; cover with marshmallows. In a saucepan over medium heat, cook and stir butter, brown sugar and cinnamon until the butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla.
  • Spoon over the marshmallows. Sprinkle with almonds and coconut. Bake at 350° for 14-16 minutes or until browned. Cool completely. Cut into 2-in. squares, then cut each square in half to form triangles. Yield: about 6 dozen.

Nutrition Facts: 2 pieces equals 110 calories, 7 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 10 mg cholesterol, 68 mg sodium, 13 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 1 g protein.

Makeover Corn 'n' Green Bean Bake Recipe

Makeover Corn 'n' Green Bean Bake Recipe
Photo by: Taste of Home
Rating 5
50% would make again
The result of our makeover is a delicious, creamy, cheesy casserole perfect for any night of the year. While the original is so decadent that you might make it only for those really special occasions, the Makeover Corn 'n' Green Bean Bake is great year round, yet tasty enough for those festive times, too.
This recipe is:
Healthy
  • 12 Servings
  • Prep: 20 min. Bake: 40 min.

Ingredients

  • 3-1/2 cups frozen corn, thawed
  • 2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) French-style green beans, drained
  • 2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) reduced-fat reduced-sodium condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
  • 1 cup (8 ounces) reduced-fat sour cream
  • 1 cup (8 ounces) plain yogurt
  • 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1 celery rib, chopped
  • 1 small green pepper, chopped
  • 2 cups crushed reduced-fat butter-flavored crackers (about 50 crackers)
  • 1/3 cup reduced-fat butter, melted

Directions

  • In a large bowl, combine the first nine ingredients. Transfer to a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray.
  • Toss the cracker crumbs and butter; sprinkle over vegetable mixture. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until bubbly. Yield: 12 servings.
Editor's Note: This recipe was tested with Land O'Lakes light stick butter.
Nutrition Facts: 3/4 cup equals 241 calories, 11 g fat (6 g saturated fat), 32 mg cholesterol, 679 mg sodium, 30 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 8 g protein.

Makeover Crunchy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

Makeover Crunchy Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Photo by: Taste of Home
Rating 5
100% would make again
This makeover version of sweet potato casserole still has its comforting flavor and sweet topping, but it boasts half the fat of the original. It also has fewer calories and contains 46% less cholesterol.—Scott Jones, Tulsa, Oklahoma
This recipe is:
Healthy
  • 6 Servings
  • Prep: 20 min. Bake: 35 min.

Ingredients

  • 1-3/4 pounds sweet potatoes (about 3 large), peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1/3 cup fat-free milk
  • 1/4 cup egg substitute
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 teaspoon lemon extract
  • 1 teaspoon Spice Islands®, All Natural, No Corn Syrup Added, Pure Vanilla Extract

  • TOPPING:
  • 2/3 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon cold butter
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions

  • Place sweet potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain and place in a food processor. Add the milk, egg substitute, egg, butter and extracts; cover and process until smooth. Pour into a 1-1/2-qt. baking dish coated with cooking spray.
  • In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and flour. Cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over sweet potato mixture; sprinkle with pecans. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°. Yield: 6 servings.

Nutritional Analysis: 1/2 cup equals 331 calories, 10 g fat (4 g saturated fat), 48 mg cholesterol, 113 mg sodium, 55 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 6 g protein.

Thanksgiving Makeover Recipes

Keep your favorite Thanksgiving recipes on the table by using these healthy Thanksgiving makeover recipes

Makeover Holiday SaladRecipe: Makeover Holiday Salad

This lightened-up Makeover Holiday Salad is sure to add a festive, guilt-free touch to your holiday table.
—Pat Schmeling, Germantown, Wisconsin.

Pumpkin Walnut Cheesecake Recipe

Pumpkin Walnut Cheesecake Recipe
Photo by: Taste of Home
Rating 4.68
95% would make again
"One of my Bunco friends gave me this recipe, and it has quickly become a family favorite. It's a great dessert for Thanksgiving and you can't eat just one slice!" Susan Garoutte, Georgetown, Texas
  • 12 Servings
  • Prep: 40 min. Bake: 1-1/2 hours + chilling

Ingredients

  • 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 6 tablespoons butter, melted

  • FILLING:
  • 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
  • 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 5 eggs, lightly beaten

  • TOPPING:
  • 6 tablespoons butter, softened
  • 1 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions

  • Place a greased 9-in. springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan. In a small bowl, combine cracker crumbs and sugar; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of prepared pan.
  • In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and sugars until smooth. Beat in the pumpkin, cream, cinnamon and cloves until blended. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour over crust. Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan.
  • Bake at 325° for 1 hour. For topping, in a small bowl, combine butter and brown sugar. Stir in walnuts. Carefully sprinkle over hot cheesecake.
  • Bake 30 minutes longer or until center is just set. Remove springform pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Yield: 12 servings.

Nutrition Facts: 1 slice equals 667 calories, 43 g fat (22 g saturated fat), 187 mg cholesterol, 379 mg sodium, 65 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 11 g protein.

Thanksgiving Recipes

Looking for a Thanksgiving menu? Pick Thanksgiving dinner recipes and create your own menu featuring appetizers, side dishes, main dishes and dessert recipes, and decorating and entertaining ideas for your Thanksgiving party.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball Recipe

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball Recipe
Photo by: Taste of Home
Rating 4.88
96% would make again
Your guests are in for a sweet surprise when they try this unusual cheese ball...it tastes just like cookie dough! Rolled in chopped pecans, the chip-studded spread is wonderful on regular or chocolate graham crackers. I especially like it because it can be assembled in a wink. -Kelly Glascock, Syracuse, Missouri
This recipe is:
Contest Winning
Quick
  • 16 Servings
  • Prep: 10 min. + chilling

Ingredients

  • 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/4 teaspoon Spice Islands®, All Natural, No Corn Syrup Added, Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
  • 3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
  • Graham crackers

Directions

  • In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually add sugars; beat just until combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
  • Place cream cheese mixture on a large piece of plastic wrap; shape into a ball. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  • Just before serving, roll cheese ball in pecans. Serve with graham crackers. Yield: 1 cheese ball (about 2 cups).

Nutrition Facts: 1 serving (2 tablespoons) equals 206 calories, 17 g fat (8 g saturated fat), 31 mg cholesterol, 101 mg sodium, 14 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 2 g protein.

Christmas Candy Recipes

Easy Christmas candy recipes for scrumptious homemade candy including fudge recipes, toffee candy, truffles, Peppermint bark, caramels, brittle and hard Christmas candy.

Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles

Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles Recipe

I've given these delectable candies with a nutty surprise inside to teachers and friends.
—Debra Pedrazzi, Ayer, Massachusetts

Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles Recipe

Chocolate Hazelnut Truffles Recipe
Photo by: Taste of Home
Rating 5
88% would make again
From Ayer, Massachusetts, Debra Pedrazzi notes, "I've given these delectable candies with a nutty surprise inside to teachers and friends."
This recipe is:
Quick
  • 24 Servings
  • Prep: 25 min. + chilling

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tablespoons HERSHEY®’S Cocoa
  • 4 milk chocolate candy bars (1.55 ounces each)
  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 24 whole hazelnuts
  • 1 cup ground hazelnuts, toasted

Directions

  • In a large bowl, sift together confectioners' sugar and cocoa; set aside. In a saucepan, melt candy bars and butter. Add the cream and reserved cocoa mixture. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until mixture is thickened and smooth. Pour into an 8-in. square dish. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
  • Using a melon baller or spoon, shape candy into 1-in. balls; press a hazelnut into each. Reshape balls and roll in ground hazelnuts. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Yield: 2 dozen.

Holiday Gelatin Mold Recipe

Holiday Gelatin Mold Recipe
Photo by: Taste of Home
Rating 5
75% would make again
“Because I care for a teenager with diabetes, I decided to change my annual Thanksgiving salad so she could have some.” -Mareen Robinson of Spanish Fork, Utah
This recipe is:
Contest Winning
Healthy
Quick
  • 12 Servings
  • Prep: 25 min. + chilling

Ingredients

  • 1 package (.3 ounce) sugar-free lemon gelatin
  • 1 package (.3 ounce) sugar-free strawberry gelatin
  • 1 package (.3 ounce) sugar-free cherry gelatin
  • 1-3/4 cups boiling water
  • 1 can (20 ounces) unsweetened crushed pineapple
  • 1 can (14 ounces) whole-berry cranberry sauce
  • 1 medium navel orange, peeled and sectioned
  • 3/4 cup reduced-fat whipped topping
  • 1/4 cup fat-free sour cream

Directions

  • In a large bowl, dissolve the gelatins in boiling water. Drain pineapple, reserving juice in a 2-cup measuring cup; add enough cold water to measure 2 cups. Stir into gelatin mixture.
  • Place the pineapple, cranberry sauce and orange in a food processor; cover and pulse until blended. Stir into gelatin mixture. Transfer to an 8-cup ring mold coated with cooking spray. Refrigerate until firm.
  • In a small bowl, combine whipped topping and sour cream. Unmold gelatin; serve with topping. Yield: 12 servings (3/4 cup topping).

Nutrition Facts: 2/3 cup gelatin with 1 tablespoon topping equals 105 calories, 1 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 1 mg cholesterol, 62 mg sodium, 24 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 1 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1/2 starch.

Cocoa Banana Cupcakes Recipe

Cocoa Banana Cupcakes Recipe
Photo by: Taste of Home
Rating 4.43
77% would make again
Rochelle Brownlee of Big Timber, Montana shares the recipe for these moist cupcakes with milk banana flavor. The cocoa powder in the frosting boosts the chocolate flavor while the melted chocolate gives it a creamy texture, making it easier to spread.
This recipe is:
Healthy
  • 18 Servings
  • Prep: 15 min. Bake: 20 min. + cooling

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup baking cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon each baking soda and salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1-1/4 cups fat-free milk
  • 1 cup mashed ripe banana (2 to 3 medium)
  • 3 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon Spice Islands®, All Natural, No Corn Syrup Added, Pure Vanilla Extract

  • FROSTING:
  • 4 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
  • 3 tablespoons fat-free milk
  • 2 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted and cooled
  • 1 teaspoon Spice Islands®, All Natural, No Corn Syrup Added, Pure Vanilla Extract
  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar
  • 1/3 cup baking cocoa

Directions

  • In a bowl, combine dry ingredients. In another bowl, combine eggs, milk, banana, oil and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients just until moistened.
  • Coat muffin cups with cooking spray or line with paper liners. Fill three-fourths full. Bake at 375° for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
  • Beat cream cheese, milk, chocolate and vanilla until smooth. Combine confectioners' sugar and cocoa; gradually beat into cream cheese mixture. Frost cupcakes. Yield: 1-1/2 dozen.

Nutritional Analysis: One cupcake equals 224 calories, 6 g fat (2 g saturated fat), 29 mg cholesterol, 171 mg sodium, 40 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 4 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 1 fat.