Healthy Chocolate Muffins

Ingredients 

• 1/2 cup cacao or cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 3/4 cup applesauce unsweetened
• 1/2 cup plain Greek or regular yogurt 2%+ fat
• 2 large eggs
• 3/4 cup maple syrup or honey
• 2 tsp baking powder aluminum free
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 3/4 cups + 3 tbsp whole wheat or spelt flour
• 3/4 cup chocolate chips divided
• Cooking spray I use Misto

Instructions 

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F, line muffin tin with liners and spray inside with cooking spray (this recipe makes 15 muffins or so, so either bake in 2 tins or 2 batches). Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, add cacao powder and boiling water; whisk until well combined. This step will bloom the cacao powder and make muffins more flavorful. Add applesauce and yogurt; whisk. Now add eggs and maple syrup; whisk until smooth. Set aside.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk until no lumps, add to the bowl with chocolate mixture and gently mix with a spatula just enough to combine. Do not over mix, let batter sit for a few minutes, then stir again. Add 1/2 cup chocolate chips and give a few gentle stirs to incorporate.
4. Fill each opening 2/3 batter full and sprinkle chocolate chips on top (this recipe makes 15 muffins or so, so either bake in 2 tins or 2 batches). Bake on a middle rack for 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.
5. Remove from the oven, let muffins cool for about 5 minutes and transfer to a cooling rack to cool off a bit more and then enjoy!