I know, most of us are still in our first few weeks of our New Year’s Resolutions and even so, enthusiasm is waning. Eating healthily shouldn’t be a burden but it sometimes is, especially when confronted with delicious food. A friend asked me to make her some muffins, low in fat and high in fibre for she was absolutely gung ho about her NY resolution to lose some kgs. I humoured her for a while thinking that it would pass but when she kept asking me I realised that she was serious. This New Year’s Resolution was going to stay, however unwelcome it was.
I had made low-fat items before and I knew the best way to reduce oils was with apples or apple sauce. With the fibre I could have added some All Bran but I never have any in the cupboard as I think it tastes only marginally better than the cardboard box it comes in. Then I remembered I was sent a bottle of Fibresure along with a Donna Hay Cupcake kit and a baking tray. Aha by George I think I had my recipe! This recipe is adapted from Jessica Seinfeld’s Deceptively Delicious book in which she suggests ways of incorporating vegetables into dishes. This one has pureed carrot in it although you could substitute it for pureed squash or leave it out altogether as the Fibresure ensures that there’s plenty of fibre adding 20 grams of fibre.
I won’t lie, these aren’t exactly like regular muffins, I don’t think it’s possible to make them with that crumbly, buttery texture without a lot of butter and oil but they’re not bad, especially with the buttery, sweet streusel topping. It all depends on your expectation too. I had friends baulk at the Jessica Seinfeld Spinach brownies only because they had expected a chocolatey, gooey brownie which of course you’ll never get unless you add a lot of butter, sugar and eggs. But if you want something healthy that taste good and wholesome these will definitely satisfy a sugar craving.
Good-for-you Apple Streusel Muffins
Makes 12 muffins
Streusel topping:
- 2/3 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (firmly packed)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons butter or Nuttelex, melted
Cake batter:
- 1 1/2 cups plain all purpose flour
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 4 heaped teaspoons Fibresure
- 3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1 apple coarsely grated
- 1/2 cup carrot puree (as you can see mine didn’t exactly become a puree)
- 1/2 cup skimmed soy milk with a squeeze of lemon juice
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
1. Mix Streusel topping ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
2. Preheat oven to 400F/200C. In a medium bowl, mix all dry ingredients well to ensure it is well combined (flour, oats, baking powder, soda, cinnamon and Fibresure powder).
3. In a larger bowl mix the remaining ingredients thoroughly (applesauce, apple, carrot, soy, brown sugar and egg).
4. Mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients until just combined, do not overmix.
5. Line a muffin tray with cases and spoon the filling into the 12 holes. Sprinkle the Streusl mix on top and bake for 15-18 minutes until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Cool in tray for 5 minutes.
You can request Fibresure samples through the www.hifibreanything.com.au website.
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26 Comments | Add your own
They look really great, Lorraine, but what on earth is Fibresure? It sounds, well, less than yummy, shall we say!
And I completely agree about the texture differences between low-fat muffins and regular. You have to be so careful not to overmix and get rubbery muffins when you go low-fat, whereas you do have some leeway with regular recipes. I hope your friend enjoyed her muffins!
Your cupcakes and muffins always look so darling, even when they are good for you too! Healthy recipes are so important, and it was sweet of you to make these fiber-loaded muffins for your friend. They look positively scrumptious to me!
streusel is a magic word in the land of southern grace, and your muffins look tremendous. jerry seinfeld is one of my favorite performers, so it’s good to know that he eats pretty well.
This one might come out well with gluten free flour, which would be great since gf food is often so low in fibre. The apple would give it some moisture. The psillium husks could help too, gf cookbooks often recommend them to make things moister and less crumbly. We’d need to think of something to replace the oats as well though. There’s that rolled rice stuff maybe.
They look really amazing actually. I would want a piece of it! I tried making low-fat muffins once and they were hard as rock. I had to throw away the whole batch.
yeahhhhhhhh! Healthy muffins! these would satisfy my craving. they look good though and they re healthy thanks for sharing.
I’m all for healthy option! But I agree, texture and mouthfeel can drop when healthier ingredients, I usually find taste still ok.
These look good NQN! I have been making my own muesli slice since new years (much to the disappointment of houseguests eexpecting the usual cakes) so I’ll try these as an alternative.
I agree on the Jessica Seinfeld brownies – I went in with low expectations so they tasted good to me
They look pretty good to me with that lovely crispy oaty topping. Diet muffin recipes are always hit and miss – I have found some of the WW recipes pretty bland and terrible, but others are OK. The applesauce muffins are usually OK for taste because of th sweetness. Love your cupcake papers BTW.
These look great! The healthy factor is a definite bonus
Can I get some if I kept asking too XD?
These look great, especially considering that they’re healthy! Your photography is beautiful.
these look SO good, especially the top!! i love muffin tops
the wrappers are so pretty too~
I’ll admit I was expecting something less wholesome-looking when I saw the words ‘streusel’! Won’t let it put me off making them though. And love the brown/blue papers – did you say Donna Hay – where can we get them?
Hi Angela-It’s a soluble fibre product that you can put in drinks and bake (although I didn’t realise you could bake with it until recently!). She did, the only problem was that she had 2 or 3 in place of 1
Hi Sandie-Thankyou so much!
I think she really appreciated it. I wonder if the resolution will stick around though and I’ll have another recipe request? 
Hi grace-Streusel means “happy” in my world too
I think he certainly eats his veges-in pureed form as well as regular!
Hi Arwen-I didn’t realise you ate gluten free! I’ve never tried cooking with psyllium husks although they always seem a bit dry and sawdusty so I didn’t think it could make it more moist. The things you learn every day!
Hi pigpigscorner-I know what you mean, they could double as weapons sometimes. Thankyou so much!
Hi snookydoodle-Thankyou so much! It’s always good to have a stash to snack on when you need something sweet
Hi Miss Honey-Yes if only the texture would be closer to the real thing!
Hi Paula-Thankyou!
The museli slice sounds lovely! Yes I think as long as one is realistic, they won’t be disappointed 
Hi Cakelaw-Yes it’s hard to hit on a really good, healthy recipe. Some are best used as paperweights! Thanks, they came with the Donna Hay cupcake set
Hi FFichiban-Thanks! Haha I shouldn’t have said that should I
Hi Sara-Thankyou so much, that’s so nice of you to say!
Hi Madison-Yes the streusel bit was my favourite although thankfully the apple kept it nice and moist!
Thanks, they’re so pretty and I think could be used for guy’s cupcakes too!
Hi belle-You could definitely leave off the streusel although who are we kidding, that’s the best bit
I told my friend she could take it off and she said “hell no!”. They came in the Donna Hay Cupcake making kit (I think $15) but I don’t know if they are sold separately.
they sound good to me! but I always make muffins with oil instead of butter anyway. Great idea about putting on an oaty topping.
I printed these out as soon as I saw the title. I’ve been craving apple studel and been trying to be supportive of Ben–this does both!
Present for you on my Sunday blog!
I like fiber and all but uh the side effects can be a bit of a burden. Sorry I just had to say it.
Hi arista-Oil does tend to make it more moist, especially fruit or vegetable based cakes
Yes the streusel topping tastes so good!
Hi Blond Duck-Oh good! Aww that’s so sweet, it’s always good when you can support each other. Oh wow thankyou so much for my award! I’m so flattered! :O
Yeah for healthy (I am on a semi-health kick right now since lake season is slowly creeping up).
Looks amazing!
Hi Jeff-Thankyou! I know, I am after Christmas too
MMmm fibrelicious, Lorraine!
Hi Y-Hehe thanks!
Can some things be substitued? Like normal low fat milk (ie Rev) instead of soy and omit the Fibresure?
Hi Vanessa-Absolutely, you can replace the milk with regular or low fat and you don’t have to add the Fibresure
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