Good-for-you Apple Streusel Muffins

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 apple 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

Step 1 - Mix Streusel topping ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

Step 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).

Step 3 - In a larger bowl mix the remaining ingredients thoroughly (applesauce, apple, carrot, soy, brown sugar and egg).

Step 4 - Mix the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients until just combined, do not overmix.

Step 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.

](https://images.notquitenigella.com/images/good-for-you-apple-streusel-muffins/a-apple_streusel_muffins3.jpg)

You can request Fibresure samples through the www.hifibreanything.com.au website.