Double Chocolate Low Carb High Protein Muffins

Just over two weeks ago today my mum and I decided we want to go on a "health cleanse". By that we meant keeping track of our calories, macros, and cutting out processed food and sugary item. We are a generally healthy family, always making fresh home cooked meals but some of our friends had hired nutritionists to create food plans for them to either loose weight or tone up. So far their results have been INCREDIBLE so us being the thrifty people we are said why not give it a go with no help from a nutritionist just pure research.

Having just passes week two of our new healthier life journey I can't emphasize how I'm growing to love myself more and more everyday. I have a huge craving for carbs and sugary foods (I could sit down and crush a bag of chips or pint of ice cream like nobodies business) and I'm happy to say I have found many healthier alternatives that satisfy the craving and that don't make me feel guilty after eating them.

One major thing on our health journey that I've noticed is that I was not getting nearly enough protein in my diet. I was researching different alternatives to incorporate protein into my diet (other than eating chicken all day) and I stumble upon the idea of protein muffins. I was immediately so excited about this due to my sweet tooth. If I could combine the taste of a decadent muffin with a serving of protein it would make my year!

I started off on a Pinterest hunt (obviously) and soon stumbled upon perfectketo.com 's pin of their "Decadent Double Chocolate Low-Carb-High-Protein Muffin Recipe". This was right up my alley chocolate, low carb, high protein! It was checking off all my boxes so I just had to make it! I'll link their Pin here: https://pin.it/2oQhe39 and their website here: https://perfectketo.com/low-carb-high-protein-muffins-recipe/

I highly recommend checking out their in depth explanation and benefits about the recipe it was extremely informative. These have been the perfect addition to my breakfast oatmeal in the morning to up my protein and get me excited to get out of bed because of the treat I have waiting for me!

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Here is my take on the muffins!

When mixing the vanilla eggs and sweetener (pictured bellow) I used 1/4 cup stevia and 1/4 monk fruit sweetener instead of 1/2 cup of one of the other. I find if I use the whole allotted amount of stevia it gives a funny taste I just can't put a finger on. Monk fruit sweetener is my favourite go to but can get quite pricing depending on how much your recipe calls for so I usually half the amount with stevia in all my recipes for the perfect sweetener blend.

For protein power I used my favourite whey protein from the brand Prairie Naturals. I use their vanilla protein power in almost every smoothie I make and it adds such a creamy texture to it. Linking the protein powder I used here https://www.prairienaturals.ca/products/leanwhey-protein-powder/ if you want to check it out!

After incorporating the dry and wet ingredients I found that the batter was quite thick. I would suggest if you are using smaller free range eggs like myself to up quantity to 4 instead of 3. I also used plain old dark chocolate chips instead of the sugar free ones because I didn't have any of the other ones. So remember if you are substituting any ingredients the nutritional facts will be a little off.

Threw my muffins in the oven at 350F and they came out perfectly in 20 minutes!

Here is the final result!!

(Here is the exact recipe from https://perfectketo.com/low-carb-high-protein-muffins-recipe/) I highlighted my changes in green.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups almond flour or almond meal

• 1/2 cup stevia or monk fruit sweetener (I used 1/4 stevia, 1/4 monk)

• 1/2 cup cacao powder

• 2 scoops Perfect Keto Chocolate Whey Protein

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon salt

• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil or avocado oil

• 3 eggs (I recommend 4 eggs if using smaller sized ones)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/3 cup sugar-free dark chocolate chips

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a cupcake pan with paper liners, nonstick spray, or butter. Set aside.

2. Add eggs, sweetener, and vanilla to a standing mixer or large bowl. Mix on high for 1-2 minutes until light and frothy. Meanwhile, add dry ingredients to a small bowl (almond flour, protein powder, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt).

3. With a mixer on low speed, slowly drizzle in melted oil then add dry ingredients to wet ingredients in 2-3 batches. Mix just until batter is smooth. Stir in chocolate chips.

4. Divide and portion batter into prepared cupcake pan.

5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean when poked through the center of each muffin.

6. Allow them to cool on a wire rack to room temperature before eating.

(All credit to pefectketo.com for this amazing recipe.)

xx J

#healthybaking #ketomuffins #proteinmuffins