low-fat chocolate chip banana muffins

I'm looking back on this title and trying to figure out why I hyphenated "low-fat" but not the rest of it. One of life's greatest mysteries.

Also, hello everyone! I am back from hibernation.

I could go on and on about why I haven't blogged in a few weeks, but you already know. I've been busy. Actually there are no words for just how busy I've been. There have been a few weekend trips to New Jersey for weddings, home renovation stuff, working, wedding planning, a grandmother in the hospital, making time for my sweet nephew, trying to remember I have a life...

And now here I am with a banner that still says "August" when it's October. And somehow I haven't lost any followers, which means you are all awesome. There are also no words for just how amazing you are.

Thanks for sticking with me. I keep telling Michael after we get married in January and the wedding planning is done, the honeymoon is over, and our home renovation is mostly done (in theory), we are going to be so bored. I can't wait.

These muffins are SO GOOD. I just started Weight Watchers last week. I was convinced by my sister who lost almost 40 pounds since her baby was born 2 months ago. Amazing!

I found this muffin recipe on a Weight Watchers friendly blog called Skinny Taste. They only have 5 points (or 170 calories) each. Instead of oil and a stick of butter, you use mashed bananas and applesauce. Beauitful for my tongue and my waistline.

They have a very strong banana flavor, but all you smell is chocolate while you're eating them. It's so divine.

Here is the recipe:

Low-Fat Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

2 tablespoons butter, softened
1/3 cup sugar
3 1/2 ripe medium sized bananas, mashed
1/4 cup natural unsweetened apple sauce
2 large egg whites
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups unbleached all purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips (I used 70%)

Preheat oven to 325°. Line a muffin tin with 12 liners.

In a large mixing bowl cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer. Add egg whites, bananas, apple sauce, vanilla, and beat at medium speed until thick. Scrape down sides of the bowl.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt with a wire whisk. Add flour mixture to bananas, then blend at low speed until combined; do not over mix. Fold in chocolate chips and pour batter into muffin tins.

Bake on the center rack for 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean with a few crumbs.

(recipe adapted from SkinnyTaste)