Skinny Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Cupcakes

By srumbel

These dessert cupcakes are made with healthier alternatives and ingredients that are convenient and easy. No trips to a specialty grocery store. They are unbelievably fudgy, with subtle banana flavor, and a thick swirl of peanut butter as the frosting. They have 6 grams of protein each; full nutrition information available by visiting a calorie counting website and plugging in the ingredients.

from sallysbakingaddiction

Ingredients

• 2 large very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 cup - the riper, the better)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large egg whites
• 3/4 cup greek yogurt (low fat or nonfat, vanilla or plain, or regular yogurt)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (or semi-sweet)
• 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter, melted (natural peanut butter is OK, do not use powdered peanut butter)
• 1/3 cup peanut butter chips (optional)

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375F degrees. Line a muffin tin with baking cups. Set aside.
In a large bowl mash the bananas with a fork or use a hand mixer. Mash them very well – no big lumps. Stir in the sugar, egg whites, greek yogurt, and vanilla extract.
Sift* the flours, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Slowly stir in the wet ingredients, being careful not to overmix. Fold in chocolate chips. The batter will be a little chunky.
Divide the batter between the 12 muffin cups – fill them all the way to the top. Take 1 teaspoon of melted peanut butter and spoon it on top of the batter. Swirl it around with a knife or a toothpick. Sprinkle with peanut butter chips. Repeat with all 12 cupcakes.
Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Allow muffins to cool for 3 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Muffins stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Notes

*Be sure to sift your dry ingredients together to avoid pockets of cocoa powder lumps. If you have no sifter, whisk the dry ingredients together VERY well to remove the lumps.