Eggless Whole Wheat Apple Muffins

           My Christmas treat this year are these easy and simple Eggless Apple muffins made with  whole wheat flour / atta for a healthier version. Brown sugar can be substituted with jaggery or honey. I flavored it with cinnamon powder. 

          However, you may use only vanilla essence or cardamom powder according to your preference. So enjoy them as a tea-time snack, dessert, or serve them as an after school snack to your kids, where you can sprinkle any of their favorite dry fruits. 

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda 
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon powder
• 1/2 cup powdered brown sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1 cup grated apple
• 1-2 tbsp. chopped pistachios

          Sift together whole wheat flour, pinch of salt, baking powder and baking soda. Keep aside.

          Whisk the sugar, milk, oil and cinnamon powder to combine well. Now fold in the flour mix, followed by the grated apple. 

          Place the muffin liners on the muffin tray and spoon the batter in it till 3/4 of the liners. Sprinkle the chopped pistachios over them.

          Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees C. for 20-25 minutes. Do the toothpick test to ensure it is well done. 

           Bring it to room temperature and enjoy them as a tea-time snack, dessert, or serve them as an after school snack to your kids, where you can sprinkle any of their favorite dry fruits. 

Eggless Gulkand Cupcakes

          I love cupcakes more than cakes. They are a perfect tea time snack, party snacks or an after meal dessert. So let me share a simple and an easy eggless cupcake recipe where I have flavoured it with some gulkand. It takes very little time to bake these yummy beauties. So do give it a try and enjoy with your loved ones. 

• 1/2 cup plain flour
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• pinch of salt
• 2 tbsp. gulkand (rose petals preserve)
• 1/3 cup oil
• 1/3 cup yoghurt
• 2 drops of red food colour 
• 1 tbsp. rose water
• 2-3 tbsp. powdered sugar or to taste
• dry rose petals and chopped pistachios to garnish (opt)
• 1 tsp. chopped pistachios

Frosting - 

• 100 gms. butter at room temperature
• 1-2 drops of red food colour 
• 1 cup powdered sugar

          Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Keep aside.

          In a large bowl, whisk oil, gulkand, yoghurt, rose water, food colour and sugar till light and fluffy.

          Now add the dry ingredients, little at a time into the mix and fold it in gently. 

          Add the chopped pistachios and give it a stir. 

          Line a muffin tray and spoon in the batter till it is 3/4 full. Tap gently.

          Bake in a preheated oven at 190 degrees for 15-17 minutes. Insert a skewer to check if it is done. Set aside to cool.

          Frosting - Whisk the butter and food colour with a hand blender till it is light and fluffy. Fold in the sugar, little at a time and continue to beat till it is stiff and everything is well incorporated. 

          Transfer to a piping bag with a preferred nozzle and pipe in over the cupcakes. Garnish with pistachios and dry rose petals. Serve as desired.

Banana Dry Fruits Muffins

          Craving for something sweet yet healthy? Then this is for you. An easy to prepare evening tea-time snack, these yummy muffins are loaded with dry fruits, banana and other basic ingredients. So if you have any over ripe bananas leftover, go ahead and give it a try. Enjoy a fun filled evening sipping your favorite bru and relishing these baked beauties with family and loved ones. It is a best treat for kids and for a kitty party too. 

• 2 bananas, chopped
• 3 tbsp. milk
• 1/2 cup oil
• 2 eggs
• 2-3 tbsp. fresh grated coconut
• pinch of salt
• 1 tsp. rose water
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom powder
• 1 & 1/2 cups plain flour (maida)
• 1/3 cup sugar or to taste
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/4 cup chopped dry fruits (cranberries, walnuts, dates, apricots, melon seeds, raisins, tutti frutti)

          Blend the bananas, milk, oil, rose water, coconut and eggs. Keep aside. 

          Sift together flour, sugar, salt, cardamom powder, baking powder and baking soda.

          Now mix all together into a smooth batter.

          Mix the dry fruits and 1 tsp. flour. Add it to the prepared batter and combine well.

          Line a muffin tray with muffin lines and drop spoonful of the batter into it.

          Bake in a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes at 180 degrees C. 

          Cool on a wire rack and serve as desired or as a tea-time snack.