A few months ago Mr. B introduced our twin toddlers to timbits (munchkins in the U.S. and a.k.a. donut holes) and they are now obsessed with them. But not all of them...only the jelly filled ones. More specifically the ones filled with strawberry jelly. If you offer them any other flavor, they walk away. They are constantly asking me to take them for "timbits with red in the middle".
This is fine by me when it's Mr. B taking them for a treat, but as a nutritionist I just don't feel right giving these to them myself. At the same time, they love them so much and there's nothing I love more than seeing their smiley little faces get all excited when I mention "timbits with red in the middle".
So what's this mommy to do? I had to come up with my own version of a somewhat healthier jelly filled "timbit". And that I did. I replaced half the flour with whole wheat pastry flour, used less sugar and no sugar added jam and replaced half the oil typically used with fat free yogurt and unsweetened applesauce. I also baked them instead of frying them and when they were done, I sprinkled a little powdered sugar on top rather than coating the entire "timbit".
My boys and I made these together which they really enjoyed. I got all the ingredients measured out and then put them both on chairs at the kitchen counter and let them add ingredients and mix with me. They loved watching me put the red jam in the middle. And then we all sat on the kitchen floor in front of the oven (it was cold in our house that day ok) and watched them bake. When I took them out of the oven Nibbles and Fufu made a run for their highchairs.
The verdict? They ate 4 each (inhaling them I might add) with huge smiles on their faces. They were asking for more but even these have their limit with me.
These make a perfect "healthier" valentine's day treat for you and/or your kids.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour (make sure to use pastry flour)
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1/3 cup sugar (or No Calorie Splenda)
1 egg
2 tbsp. canola or coconut oil
1/3 cup fat free greek yogurt
1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
No sugar added strawberry jam (E.D. Smith make a delicious one with no aspartame)
Powdered sugar (confectioners sugar)
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a mini muffin tin with cooking spray.
2. In bowl mix together flour, baking soda and baking powder.
3. In separate bowl mix together sugar (or No Calorie Splenda), egg, oil, sour cream and applesauce.
4. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix just until combined.
5. Add about 2 tsp. muffin mixture into each mini muffin compartment. Top with about 1/2 to 3/4 tsp. of jam. Top the jam with another 2 tsp. of muffin mixture and bake for 17-20 minutes.
6. Remove from oven, let cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Nutritional Information:
Servings: 20
Serving size 1 mini muffin (these actually turned out to be quite large mini muffins)
Made with regular sugar:
Calories 61, total fat 2g (sat. fat 0.3g), total carbs 9.5g, fibre 0.5g, sugar 5g, protein 1.6g
Weight Watchers Points: 1
Weight Watchers Points Plus: 2
Made with Splenda:
Calories 48, total fat 2g (sat. fat 0.3g), total carbs 6.5g, fibre 0.5g, sugar 1.6g, protein 1.6g
Weight Watchers Points: 1
Weight Watchers Points Plus: 1
Great idea!!!!
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