Egg-less Butter-less Orange Muffins With Whole Wheat Flour and Jaggery / Healthy Eating - 2nd Blog Anniversary Special

I am very happy and excited as i celebrate my second blog anniversary today. Yeah...Annapurna has turned 2 ! Time just flies , i began my journey as a food blogger exactly on this day 2 years back with not so clear view in my mind that i would be able to stretch it so long. Not that i had any doubt about my cooking. Cooking has always been my passion and i love being in kitchen and cook food for my loved ones each day. Its just that i was not sure as to how i would be able to gather readers to my blog , knowing that i did not know much about computer and blogging when i started and also because i always thought and still feel that writing is not my cup of tea.

Today blogging has become a part of my life and i thoroughly enjoy every bit of it. Blogging gives me chance to cook and experiment food from different cuisines which otherwise i would probably not have tried. It is because of this blog, i got to connect with so many talented bloggers and learn so much from them. Above all blogging has given me recognition and a sense of satisfaction of being virtually present in so many kitchens through my recipes.

                           

This year has been quiet rewarding for me as a blogger. Getting featured in Indian Express (Link to the article - Chhena Modak ) , collaboration with a food company and winning a few online food competition were some of the highlights. I feel so honored to know that while you all have hundreds and thousands of blogs and material to read from , you choose my space to spend your valuable time with. I really appreciate all the love, support and encouragement i have received during my journey.

                            

 As on today Annapurna records 248 recipe posts , 266 comments and a huge number of 3,57,055 page views. Foremost i would like to thank my readers for reading my long blog posts , for each and every like and comment , for all the lovely feed back you give me by trying out my recipes and for following by blog so religiously. I would also thank my fellow bloggers for inspiring me by their fantastic work and talent to give my best each time. I could reach countless viewers only because of the various online food groups and websites on social networking sites (Though finding yourself added to a food group every other day and that too without your permission may find annoying at times , but at the end of the day it is fruitful , as it increases your reach ), last but surely not the least, i would thank my family and friends for their continuous support and motivation. Cannot dare to miss out my lifeline Kiran and Chinmay for their love and for allowing me to carry my food experiments on them :) Looking forward for the same support and love from all of you as i continue my journey.

                                                       

To celebrate this special day i made these delicious sweet treats . Made from whole wheat flour these orange muffins are egg and butter free and have bold flavors of orange due to use of orange juice (rather i would say orange pulp) and orange zest. I have used powdered jaggery as a sweetener in these muffins. The orange muffins turned out to be moist, soft and deliciously sweet with bold citrus flavors in it. If you are an orange lover than these muffins are just perfect for you.

 I have used kinnow (hybrid variety of mandarin orange) for making these muffins as this variety is juicy sweet and aromatic and the local markets here in North India, are flooded with Kinnow at this time. Kinnow is rich in minerals , iron , lime, , phosphorous and vitamin C and B.

 I have adapted this recipe from my Egg-less Christmas Fruit cake in which i had used orange juice and jaggery. Here yogurt acts as an egg replacer. The recipe is very simple and easy to follow. These fruity muffins can be served as a healthy breakfast or as a tea time snack. One can have them to satisfy those sweet cravings and kids would love to have them in their snacks box for sure.

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking time : 25 minutes
Serves: 8 Muffins

Ingredients: Measurements used - 1 cup =200 ml

• 1 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup orange pulp (extracted using 2 Kinnows)
• 1/2 cup powdered jaggery
• 1/2 cup curd
• 1/4 cup refined oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon orange zest
• Pinch of Salt

Method:

1. Preheat the oven at 180 degree Celsius or 350 degree Fahrenheit for 10-12 minutes. Grease the individual muffin holders or line them with paper cups.

   2.  In a bowl sieve the whole wheat flour along with baking soda, baking powder and salt twice. Add orange zest to it and set aside.

   3.  You can use store bought orange pulp if you wish to. I have used fresh oranges. To extract the pulp, cut 2 oranges in roundels , peel and cut the segments into small chunks. While doing do remove the seeds. Put the orange chunks into a grinder and get the puree. Do not strain the puree.

  4.  In a large mixing bowl, take this orange puree and add powdered or grated jaggery to it and stir well with a wire whisk until the jaggery dissolves completely in the puree.   

  5.  To this add curd followed by oil and stir well. Lastly add vanilla essence and give a quick stir. Our wet ingredients are ready.

  6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ones and blend with a spatula. Do not over beat. Just fold in to get an even and lump free batter.

    7. Spoon the batter into individual muffin holder until 3/4 full. Tap the muffin tray and transfer it to a preheated oven.

    8. Bake the muffins at 180 degree Celsius / 350 degree Fahrenheit for 22 -25 minutes or until the tester tooth pick comes out clean. Keep a watch after 20 minutes as temperature may vary from oven to oven. I have baked the muffins in a microwave with convection mode.

    9.  Let the muffins cool down on a wire rack. Serve and enjoy them as it is or with a cup of tea or coffee.

                         

                            

  Notes:

• Can use half quantity of all purpose flour and whole wheat flour if desired.
• Can top the muffins with chocolate chips for variation.

Hope you would love to try out these fruity muffins. Do not forget to give your valuable feedback.

For more egg-less butter-less bakes , do check my posts on

• Pineapple Muffins
• Strawberry Muffins
• Carrot Muffins
• Choco Muffins
• Vegan Banana Muffins
• Marble Cake
• Christmas Plum Cake
• Beetroot Chocolate Cake
• Suji Tutti Frutti Cake