Lowfat Apple Banana Cherry (ABC) Mini Muffins Recipe

I've always loved applesauce banana bread but recently received a 4lb bag of dried cherries and have been trying to figure out how to go through them all (I also made homemade rum cherry ice cream).

Lucky me, I just happened to have 2 leftover ripe bananas and my snack standby -unsweetened applesauce. That's about all you need to make this easy, no-guilt muffin recipe with applesauce, bananas, and dried cherries. There's no butter and no oil in the recipe, with the only fat coming from the eggs. I added a touch of nonfat Fage greek yogurt to add a touch of richness - but that's healthy too!

I guess I could have made full sized muffins, but the mini ones are so much cuter and easier to share. Hope you enjoy these reduced fat ABC mini muffins (applesauce, bananas, & cherries) - they're a healthy snack!

Lowfat Apple Banana Cherry Mini Muffins: bananas, applesauce, dried cherries, nonfat greek yogurt, eggs, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg

Lowfat ABC (Apple Banana Cherry) Mini Muffins

Yields: 48 mini muffins (2 pans) or 12 regular sized muffins

Ingredients

• Dry
• 1 3/4 cup (219 g) all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup (67 g) brown sugar
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp saigon cinnamon (or regular)
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg, freshly grated
• 1/2 tsp salt

• Wet
• 2 eggs
• 2 ripe bananas mashed (a little less than a cup)
• 2 tbsp nonfat Fage greek yogurt (or your brand of choice)
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

• Stir In
• 1 cup dried cherries (can substitute other dried fruits like cranberries, blueberries, etc. I add a lot because I like the chew but feel free to reduce)
• (Optional - 1/2 cup nuts of your choice)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix well.
3. Combine the wet ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Add in mixed dry ingredients and mix together well. 
4. Stir in dried cherries
5. Spray mini-muffin tins with non-stick baking spray with flour
6. Pour batter into muffin tin - about a tbsp each so that batter comes just under the edge
7. Bake for about 16-18 minutes, until toothpick inserted is clean.

Note: These muffins can be frozen and defrosted, just like your favorite banana bread recipe.

The Best Breakfast Egg Casserole - Texas Eggs Recipe

Texas Eggs are a Thanksgiving tradition in our household passed down over the years. You make it the night before, and bake it the morning of Thanksgiving for a fuss free, filling breakfast that keeps the kitchen clean for Thanksgiving cooking. Another bonus is that it gets the oven warm and prepped!

Now, this 16 egg casserole recipe may look like a heart attack on a plate, but having this once a year is so worth it. Just invite more people over to help feast on the rich, savory, creamy goodness of the egg casserole. But don't forget - the reheated leftovers are EVEN BETTER so don't worry if there aren't many to enjoy together.

Texas Eggs Recipe 
Ingredients

¼ cup butter
½ cup flour
1 qt whole milk
3 oz dried beef*, diced
½ lb bacon, fried & crumbled (make sure this is crispy)

16 eggs
½ tsp salt
1 c evaporated milk
¼ c butter

Sprinkle of paprika

Directions - Day 1

• Cook the butter, flour and whole milk until thick. It should be thick enough to coat a spoon and it will look sort of like gravy.
• Add the dried beef & bacon and set aside

• Whip together the eggs, salt & evaporated milk.
• Melt the butter in a large frying pan, add the egg mixture and scramble eggs until they just start to set.

• Butter a 9x13 pyrex pan and layer as follows:
• First a thin layer of sauce
• Next all the eggs
• Top with the rest of the sauce
• Sprinkle with paprika
• Cover and refrigerate overnight

Directions - Day 2

• Bake 275°F 1 hour – let stand at least 5 min before cutting

*Dried beef can be found in the grocery aisle usually near the canned goods like canned tuna in regular grocery stores (eg Safeway, Walmart, Lucky, etc. NOT organic places like Whole Foods) The brand that is usually available is Hormel's, or you can order it online. There is no substitute so make sure you find it!