October 2006 Archives

These cupcakes are fantastic. Another great Cooking Light recipe (October 2006 issue).

Cupcakes:
Cooking spray
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (about 6 3/4 ounces)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup mashed ripe banana (about 1 large)
1/3 cup plain fat-free yogurt
1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract

Frosting:
1/3 cup butter, softened
2 1/2 tablespoons amaretto (almond-flavored liqueur)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups powdered sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chopped almonds, toasted

Preheat oven to 350°.

To prepare cupcakes, place 12 muffin cup liners in muffin cups; coat liners with cooking spray. Set aside.

Place granulated sugar and 1/4 cup butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 4 minutes). Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt, stirring with a whisk. Combine banana, yogurt, and 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla, stirring well. Beating at low speed, add flour mixture and banana mixture alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups (cups will be full). Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into center of 1 cupcake comes out clean. Remove cupcakes from pan; cool completely on a wire rack.

To prepare frosting, place 1/3 cup butter, liqueur, and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and 1/8 teaspoon salt, beating just until smooth. Spread frosting evenly over cupcakes; sprinkle evenly with almonds.

Yield: 12 servings (serving size: 1 cupcake)

7 Points per cupcake

Clearly I wasn't nearly as committed to this space as I intended to be. After thinking about food and exercise so much everyday I don't really have any desire to write about it. That kind of sucks but it's the way it is. I'll probably still post recipes here, this place will pretty much just be a recipe dump.

The Program is going very well for me. I've lost over 35 pounds since Late July. I'm still cooking and baking and have no real issues with combining a much healthier lifestyle with a love of good food. I walk between 2-4 miles a day, 7 days a week, go to the gym for 40 minutes of jogging/fast walking 3 times a week, and I'm trying to incorporate 3 days of light free weight work as well (that's a slow and new addition). So basically, things are going really well. I'm just not compelled to write about it.