Recipe Rehab - Chocolate Muffins

Craving a chocolate treat but you don’t want that indulgence to throw off your healthy eating plan? Try this Virtua Nutrition approved Recipe Rehab version of chocolate muffins that have less than one-third the calories and only 20 percent of the fat of traditional muffins.

1 1/2 cups whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup unsweetened applesauce ;
1/2 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute
1/2 cup fat-free milk
1/4 cup calorie-free sweetener
1/4 cup light whipped butter
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with baking liners, or spray it with nonstick spray. (If using paper liners, spray them)
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients except the chocolate chips: both types of flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, applesauce, egg, milk, sweetener, butter and vanilla extract. Whisk until uniform. (Don't worry if the butter doesn't break up completely.)
Stir until just mixed and smooth. (Batter will be thick.)
Fold in 1/4 cup chocolate chips. Evenly distribute batter among the cups of the muffin pan (cups will be very full), and smooth out the surfaces.
Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips
Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, 22 - 24 minutes.