Public Service Announcement
The Loch Ness monster. Pegasus. Men who love Dancing with the Stars . We've all heard of them, sure, but actually seen them for ourselves? Not a chance. Until recently, I could say the same thing for a low-fat, low-calorie chocolate cupcake. And then my mom sent me a recipe...
Now I'm pretty hard to please when it comes to low-fat eating. I despise all but one fat free salad dressing, since they all have an aftertaste similar to Gatorade. And fat free cheese, well, if on occasion I eat it, it's not because I enjoy it. Reduced fat peanut butter? Ridiculous; it has the same nutritional excesses the regular stuff does, only it's sweet and gross.
But you don't have to take my word for it. Mom made these cupcakes for the family trip to Hawaii, and even the men -- Mr. Food Musings, Little Brother, The Boyfriend and Dad -- all gobbled them up without divining their secret. And at book club last week, I slipped them in after a cheesy lasagna. Sure, I dressed them up with a spoonful of whipped cream and a few shavings from a Scharffen Berger chocolate-hazelnut bar. But the fact that N. ate 3 of them -- 3!!! -- tells you something.
Chocolate Cupcakes
Serves 24 (2 WW points apiece)
Mix one box of instant chocolate cake mix with 1 14-ounce can of puréed pumpkin and 1 egg white (or 1 egg beater egg). With a wooden spoon or a mixer, beat until smooth. Tip into cupcake tins lined with cupcake liners (trust me -- these babies are so moist they stick to your fingers). Cook according to box directions (mine said 350 for 24 minutes). Let cool.
Serving suggestions:
-- 1 dollop of whipped cream and a few chocolate shavings
-- 1 TBSP chocolate frosting
-- 1/2 cup of strawberry sorbet or Black Mission fig ice cream
I served this at my bridge club with a SMALL scoop of caramel ice cream & a dollop of whipped topping & it was a hit! It's just enough to satisfy that sweet craving without any guilt!
Posted by: Mom | January 20, 2006 at 04:44 PM
hooray. the ww craze is sweeping the nation!
Posted by: sam | January 20, 2006 at 06:41 PM
Mom -- ooh, caramel ice cream, yum!
Sam -- it is! I love WW!!!
Posted by: Catherine | January 21, 2006 at 08:40 AM
They all sound like SCRUMPTIOUS ideas to serve these low fat babies with. I can't wait to try these out. Maybe even today. Do you think you could do this with applesauce and white cake mix? I've been inspired LOL. Ooh. Or maybe spice cake mix with the pumpkin. Hmmm....
Posted by: Nerissa | January 21, 2006 at 09:38 AM
Nerissa -- yes, carrot or spice cake with pumpkin would be good though the pumpkin flavor would come through (it doesn't in the chocolate). Apple sauce is another great substitute!
Posted by: Catherine | January 21, 2006 at 03:00 PM
Ummmm...book club food...my favorite! I'm hosting next month and I'll try the recipe!
Betty
PS If you club is looking for book club suggestions, we did "Confessions of Super Mom" during the holidays and the author called in and spoke to us. Her site is www.melanielynnehauser.com
Posted by: Betty | January 22, 2006 at 06:17 AM
Betty -- thanks for the suggestion! I haven't heard of that book but I'll check it out. Our next read is 1906, all about the huge San Francisco earthquake. I finished it already -- it was really good.
Posted by: Catherine | January 22, 2006 at 08:36 AM
These little babies kick butt! WW points really don't matter when one eats seven of them, though....
Posted by: Mina | January 24, 2006 at 03:56 AM
Mina -- thank you for the laugh, I needed that! I have had the flu for a week and I'm about ready to kill myself!
Posted by: Catherine | January 24, 2006 at 09:26 AM
yum. how much does the pumpkin figure into the flavor?
ulterior epicure.
Posted by: Ulterior Epicure | February 05, 2006 at 03:43 PM
UE -- I guess it depends on your palate, but to mine (and those whom I've fed them to) not very much at all. I imagine if the idea of pumpking freaks you out, you could also substitute apple sauce...though in my experience they won't be quite as moist.
Posted by: Catherine | February 05, 2006 at 05:24 PM
These sound good, but how many calories (approx) are in 2 weight watcher's points?
Posted by: Amanda | April 23, 2006 at 02:52 PM