Category: Snack

Skinny Banana Bread Muffins

The Sunshine Inn Blog1 Comment

Skinny Banana Bread Muffins

  • Servings: 12
  • Difficulty: Easy
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Skinny muffins that are flavourful and moist. Wait, that doesn’t sound right. Well, it is and they are healthier than most. These banana muffins have no oil, low sugar and are only 130 calories. I apologize to the store bought or coffee house muffins.

Ingredients

  • 4 bananas mashed (about 1-1/3 cup)
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 3 tbsp light brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp white sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1-1/2 cup all purpose flour (whole wheat makes them a little more dense)
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 and line muffin tin with paper liners or silicon liners.
  2. In a mixing bowl, mash bananas, add egg, vanilla, sugars, and cinnamon and stir well to combine.
  3. In a larger bowl stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add banana mixture and stir to combine.
  4. Gently stir in melted butter. Don’t over-mix the batter as the muffins will be tougher.
  5. Spoon into muffin tin and bake for 18-25 minutes.

Nutrition Per Serving

  • Calories 130
  • Fat 2 g
  • Sugar 9 g
  • Carbohydrates 23 g
  • Protein 2 g
  • Fibre 2 g

Note: You can freeze these for up to 2 months in a freezer safe ziplock bag. Make sure that they are completely cooled and get as much of the air out of the bag first.

If calories or sugar are not of concern, you can add walnuts, raisins, cranberries, or even peanut butter (if you add peanut butter, you will need to add an equal amount of flour). This makes the possibilities endless. Remember to have fun and make it your own.

Stovetop Apple Pie Filling

The Sunshine Inn Blog2 Comments

Stovetop Apple Pie Filling

  • Servings: 12
  • Difficulty: Easy
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Who hasn’t gone to the store and bought apples that looked so great and by the end of the week, oops, that was too many. I know I have, more than once. I hate wasting food. Too many people go hungry everyday for us to waste good food. I do my best to extend the life of food. Here is an easy recipe that is delicious, quick, and versatile.

Ingredients

  • 6-8 medium apples
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup white sugar
  • 3 tbsp of water
  • 2 tbsp of butter (salted)
  • 1-2 tsp of vanilla extract (to taste)
  • 2 tbsp of water and 1 tbsp of cornstarch
  • 1/2 tbsp of Cinnamon

Directions

  1. Peel, core and slice apples.
  2. Melt butter with cinnamon over medium heat.
  3. Add apples, sugar and water.
  4. Cover and cook stirring occasionally for 4-6 minutes, or until slightly softened. 
  5. In a small dish, combine cornstarch with 2 tbsp of water.
  6. Add to the pan and bring to boil and stir until thickened.
  7. Let bubble 1 minute.
  8. Let cool.

Nutrition Per Serving

  • Calories 88
  • Fat 1.9 g
  • Sugar 16.1 g
  • Carbohydrates 18.8 g
  • Protein 0 g
  • Fibre 2.6 g

This is the equivalent of 1 can of apple pie filling. This recipe is so versatile, you will buy extra apples just to make this. You can use it as a topper on oatmeal, yogourt, ice cream, add a bit of granola and it becomes a great snack, or heck you can use it in a pie crust too. So many possibilities for you to have fun and make it your own.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Bites

The Sunshine Inn Blog1 Comment

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Energy Bites

  • Servings: 20 Balls
  • Difficulty: Easy
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A great little treat for children of all ages. It is quick and easy to make. So let’s get to it, shall we.

IMG_1342

Ingredients

  • 1 cup of rolled oats
  • 2/3 cup of toasted shredded coconut (if you only have flakes, toast them, then chop them)
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup of mini semi chocolate chips (if you only have regular chocolate chips or bakers bar chocolate, you can chop or grate to small pieces)
  • 1/2 cup of honey
  • 1 tsp of pure vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl
  2. Roll and compress the mixture into balls from one heaping tablespoon and place on parchment paper
  3. Refrigerate a few minutes until firm and transfer to air tight container
  4. Refrigerate and enjoy for up to a week

Nutrition Per Serving, one ball

  • Calories 88
  • Sugar 2 g
  • Carbohydrates 10 g
  • Protein 2 g
  • Fiber 1.2 g

The original recipe called to add chia seeds, being allergic was not an option for me but feel free to do so. One tablespoon would add very little calories and about 0.2 g of protein to each ball.

This is where you can fun. You could add cinnamon or chopped walnuts, or use chunky peanut butter vs smooth, chopped almonds. If you are calorie conscious watch how much you add of nuts and also the consistency so it can hold together but have fun and make it your own.