Made with MsPatticakes Pancake//Baking mix, Buttery Biscuit Mix or Cake/Muffin Mix: At 1/2 the carbs and calories of other muffins you can splurge now and then on a healthy muffin. These yummy treats will give you energy, not sugar lows and unnecessary calories.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray cupcake liners, 2 8" rounds or an 8x8 square pan with vegetable spray. Fill cupcakes 3/4 cup full.
In large bowl or stand mixer beat together:
1 cup low carb sugar and 1/4 cup softened (not melted) butter
Warm 1 1/4 cups buttermilk (or creamy almond or oat milk) and add 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar or real lemon juice to it Let it rest 1 minute.
In a small bowl whisk together 4 eggs at room temperature and add to the butter mixture along with 1 cup low carb flour, 1/4 tsp sea salt (optional), 1.5 tsp. vanilla, banana, lemon, maple, rum or almond extract. Optional: 1 tsp. cinnamon. Beat until just combined. Don't over mix.
To the batter add 2 more cups of sifted flour (breaks up the lumps) and 1 scoop whey or egg protein powder to help it rise. Fold all together with a large spoon or spatula until just combined. Should be thick. Choose Add-ins and/or muffin topping below.
Bake muffins 22 - 25 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. For cake, loosely cover with sprayed tinfoil and bake 30 minutes, or until toothpick comes out clean. Middles should be firm.
Makes 10 muffins without add-ins below
*Optional Add-ins:
Walnut pieces (1/2 cup)
Blueberries: 1 cup blueberries (if frozen do not thaw) Add a few minutes baking time if frozen. Can also add lemon zest for a lemon blueberry muffin/cake.
Banana: add 1 tsp. banana extract, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp. nutmeg and 2 tbsp pancake syrup
Pumpkin: ½ cup pumpkin and 1.5 tsp. of pumpkin spice
Chocolate chip: 3/4 cup sugar-free chocolate chips
Double Chocolate: Replace 1/3 cup mix with cocoa and add 2 more tbsp. sweetener. Stir in chocolate chips.
Lemon Muffins: Add 4 tbsp lemon juice (real lemons are best) and 2 tbsp lemon zest. Top with Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting below.
Gingerbread: 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1 tsp. cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg.
MUFFIN TOPPINGS:
1) Mix together 1/4 cup zero calorie brown sugar, 1/4 cup walnuts finely chopped, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon: sprinkle on muffins just before putting muffins in to bake.
2) Streusel Topping: Combine 1/4 cup sweetener to 3 tbsp oil or melted butter and 1/4 tsp cinnamon. Combine until crumbly and sprinkle over muffins adding more flour if needed.
4) Icing: Mix sugar free powdered sugar with a little water and 1 tsp. extract and drizzle over muffins
5) Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting
4 ounces cold cream cheese,
3/4 cup heavy cream (6 oz)
1/4 cup low carb powdered sugar (you can use a coffee grinder to grind down granulated sugars into powder)
Instructions: Whip the cream cheese to loosen it. Add the powdered sweetener and whip. Adding the heavy cream a little at a time, mix until incorporated, then whip until the frosting is stiff and fluffy. Use right away or cover and refrigerate until needed.
6) Vanilla Buttercream Frosting
1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar