Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Life is Mental Favorite Carrot Cake Cupcakes!

I am a huge fan of dessert. If you are familiar with the Life is Mental training, you already know that I do not believe in deprivation...so...let everyone eat cake! (In moderation)

Since I am confessing, I need to also share that I am a horrible cook; which means that I am a connoisseur of purchased foods. This is what makes this article so interesting. I found a recipe for healthy carrot cake cupcakes that I have baked successfully several times. I served these to the cast and crew during the filming of the Thinking Thin Reality Show sizzle reel and they were a huge hit. Everyone even knew I made them and still loved them! 

Sometimes we have to decide to eat things that taste a little wonky when we opt for a healthy alternative version of our favorite foods. Not this time. These cupcakes are the bomb. In fact, I like these better than the store bought (full of butter) cupcakes.

I found this recipe on ToneItUp.com. The Tone It Up Girls are personal trainers with some great videos to get you motivated to work out. I found the cupcake recipe and a bikini body toning routine that I used immediately. Tone It Up Girls...You Rock!

If you are a dessert person like me, you have to try this recipe in your kitchen!

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine dry ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup vanilla protein powder (Tone It Up Girls recommend organic)
  • 1/4 cup shredded coconut flakes, no sugar added
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon (I added a little more)
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (I added a little more)
  • Small pinch of cloves (I used two pinches)
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/3 cup organic sugar (I replaced this will Truvia)
  • 2 tbs natural stevia powder...or 6 packets of stevia natural sweetener

Add one at a time to dry mix while mixing...
  • 2 egg whites
  • 1 whole egg
  • 1/4 cup canola oil (I used Smart Balance Omega Oil)
  • 1/2 cup nonfat plain organic Greek yogurt or Vegans can add 1/2 cup applesauce (this adds moisture)
  • 3 tsp vanilla extract

Mix well and add 2 cups grated carrots and 1/4 cup chopped pecans and walnuts mixed

Fill cups about 3/4 full since these do not rise a lot. Bake anywhere from 10-15 minutes depending on whether you are using a mini or regular cupcake pan

What about the frosting? Glad you asked...this is amazing!

Whip together...
  • 1 cup light cream cheese
  • 1/2 cup plain, low fat Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup organic powdered sugar (I added this a little at a time to my taste and did not use a full cup)

The Tone It Up Girls suggested adding vanilla protein powder to the frosting mix also. Protein powder in the cupcakes make them a lower glycemic index.

The Tone It Up Girls do not have the calorie count on their website and I did not hear back from my inquiry to them about this before writing this article, however, you can see by the ingredients that this is a healthy version of one of my favorite desserts. Enjoy these cupcakes as a guilt free dessert or as breakfast muffins also!

Connect with me on facebook and let me know how you liked them after you test the recipe out in your kitchen.

Healthy Eating!
Kelly



Kelly Stallings, MS, LPC
http://www.lifeismental.com/
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