Double Dark Chocolate Chip Muffins

Wishing my cousin and fellow foodie Melissa a very Happy Birthday!!  (She's off the crutches now!)  I whipped up a batch of these yummy and decadent (but still somewhat healthy!) muffins to send her in a birthday care package.  I hope they won't be too stale or smashed upon arrival.  Just one of many reasons I can't wait to move back to the same city as her!  That way we can food and recipe swap in person without waiting on USPS delivery.

Ingredients:

·         3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce

·         1/4 cup sugar

·         3 TBSP honey

·         1 large egg

·         3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt

·         2 tsp. vanilla extract

·         1/2 cup all purpose flour

·         1/2 cup whole wheat flour

·         1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

·         1/4 tsp. salt

·         1 tsp. baking soda

·         1 tsp. baking powder

·         1/2 heaping cup dark chocolate chips

 

Directions:

1.    Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2.    Lightly grease 12-count muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.

3.    In a large bowl, combine applesauce, sugar, honey, egg whites, yogurt, and vanilla. Whisk together until smooth, with no lumps of yogurt remaining.

4.    In another bowl, combine flours, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.

5.    Gradually stir dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, being careful not to over-mix. Batter should be a bit chunky.

6.    Finally, stir in chocolate chips.

7.    Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling them all the way to the top, if you can.

8.    Bake for 5 minutes at 425 degrees. Keeping the muffins in the oven, lower the temperature to 375 degrees and bake for another 13 minutes. Insert a toothpick into the center to check for doneness. Continue to bake, as needed.

9.    Remove and allow to cool in the pan for 3 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

 

**serving suggestion: drizzle some salted caramel on top!