Chocolate Walnut Muffins

Ingredients:

• Nonstick vegetable oil cooking spray, for preparing the pan
• 1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder (not Dutch-processed alkalized)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon Clabber Girl Baking Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 3/4 cup soy milk or regular milk
• 1/2 cup liquid fruit juice concentrate or Fruit Juice Reduction Recipe
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 2/3 cup chopped walnuts, divided
• 2 Tablespoons maple sugar or brown sugar

Instructions:

Mixing Instructions:
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°. Lightly spray a (2 1/2-X 1 1/2-inch) muffin pan with nonstick vegetable spray or line with muffin cups.

Sift the flour, cocoa, baking soda, Clabber Girl Baking Powder and salt into a medium bowl and make a well in the center.

In another medium bowl, whisk the fruit juice concentrate, milk and oil until frothy. Pour into the well and stir with a wooden spoon just until combined. Fold in 1/3 cup of the chopped walnuts. Do not overbeat.

In a small bowl, combine the remaining walnuts with the maple sugar. Spoon the batter into 9 of the prepared muffin cups, filling each cup almost completely full. Sprinkle the tops of the muffins with the maple-walnut mixture.

Baking Instructions:
Bake the muffins until a toothpick inserted in the centers comes out clean and the tops spring back when pressed with a finger, 18 to 20 minutes. Cool for 2 minutes, then run a knife around the inside of the cups to release the muffins, and remove from the cups. Serve the muffins warm or at room temperature. Makes 9 muffins.

Mix it up With Mani - Mani Niall

Comments:

These are deep, dark and chocolatey - truly amazing when one considers what they don't have in them. No eggs or milk, great for lactose intolerant or those with dairy allergies. The crunchy walnut-maple sugar topping is a nice touch. Feel free to substitute regular milk if desired.