This was a another snow day experiment. I like baking from scratch but sometimes using a mix is a life saver. It takes all the guess work out of it and I can simply have fun. I like having fun. Especially in the kitchen. 🙂
Anyway I used Vitalicious's Deep Chocolate Vita Muffin Mix. I'm a fan of these mixes. Their ingredient lists aren't perfect but they are one of the few whole wheat mixes I can find.
Instead of making muffins, the little guy and I made a loaf. Like a chocolate bread. But of course we couldn't leave it alone. We added some simple ingredients to jazz it up a bit.
Both the little guy and I LOVED it. Actually you should see it now. He's been picking at it all day. I had to yell at him to stop stealing bites. The husband tried it. Said he liked it and will never have another bite again. If it doesn't come out of a box he's simply uninterested. Don't get me started. lol
Anyway, here's what we did.
- ¼ cup raw almonds (30g)
- ¼ cup dried cherries (40g)
- 3 egg whites
- 1 and ¼ cups of water
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 1 package of Vitalicious Deep Chocolate VitaMuffin mix
- non-stick spray and a bit of flour
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
Spray a loaf pan with non stick spray and coat with a thin layer of flour. We want to avoid sticking.
Weigh out the almonds and cherries
Chop them to make smaller pieces so everyone gets a bite.
In a large bowl whisk the water, egg whites and extract until bubbles form.
Add the bag of mix and combine well.
Pour the batter in the loaf pan and enjoy a few licks off the spoon. 🙂
Bake for about 60 minutes until the center is solid to the touch.
Let it cool in the pan for a few minutes and then run a knife along the sides before popping out.
Here's close up. I was a little picture happy. Can you tell? 🙂
oh heck. Here's a few more. 🙂
If you are interested you can order VitaMixes online by clicking here. Be sure to use the Code RonisWeigh for 10%. Vitalicious sponsors Roni's Weigh and sends me products to review now and then.
Oh! and if you are a VitaTop fan they are having a contest. Enter to win a year supply!
| Servings | Amt per Serving | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 1 oz slice - 1/12 of the loaf | |||
| Calories | Fat | Fiber | WWPs | |
| 130 | 3g | 6g | old: 2 | new: 4 |
| Sugar | Sat Fat | Carbs | Protein | |
| 12g | 1g | 27g | 5g | |
I was happy to learn that I peeked your interest in mango bread. I don't know if my including a url from another website is considered in bad taste (no pun intended). If it is, please forgive my ignorance. My reasoning for the inclusion is that sharing is good. Okay, okay, there may be some things that we (everyone) don't need to share, but I digress. Here is the url for one recipe for mango bread (for the record, I am not connected in any way with this website): http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Magic-Mango-Bread/Detail.aspx
Personally, I love pluots, white flesh nectarines and saturn peaches (aka: doughnut peaches; if by chance you have not seen them, they are flat peaches with a white flesh).
I love fresh red raspberries. One more, "I love," if you don't mind. I love lychees. You can find an article on the saturn peach, pluot and lychee on wikipedia. I have not tried a longan, but I would like to. It, too, is on wikipedia.
I would love to know if you ever try making a bread in which you include any of the following fruits: mango, pluots, white flesh nectarines, saturn peaches, lychees, longans AND what you thought of the result. I assume that if your first try at cooking/baking something new is a flop that you try at least a second and if necessary, possibly, a third time.
I apologize for my "wordiness" in this note.
Thanks so much for sharing. I always order VitaTops from their website and use your code. I added the mixes to my order the other day once I saw this. I am definately going to try this. It looks scrumptious!
I see you shop at Aldi too. I really like their Fit & Active stuff (can't beat the price), and my family loves the cherries. I'm sure they would love them in a chocolate bread like this as well. Thanks for the recipe!
My favorite picture is of Ryan with his hands on his hips. That kid has such personality!
YUM. I love the texture of the dried fruit and nuts.
BODA lose weight
Danielle - I get it at my regular grocery store now. Usually in the same aisle as the rice, near the couscous. Ir it may be in the ethnic area.
Oh! and I think Craisins would be awesome!
Looks so yummy I have some of that mix at home going to try it maybe tomorrow if I am homebound due to the snow with my lil girl - no cherries here but have craisins - those will have to do.
I want to try to make your quinoa stuffed peppers - where can I find quinoa??
Thanks
Danielle
Your little guy is a cutie! What a good idea to add cherries and almonds to a chocolate loaf, I'll bet that was really tasty! I;ll have to see if they sell those mixes in my neck of the woods.
I love vitalicious products! I just made a huge order of their vitatops, I love them. This looks fantastic, glad the little one liked it. My husband is equally strange about things. He won't touch quinoa because he can't pronounce it and he didn't grow up with it. Ya, THAT makes sense. 🙂
That looks incredible! Hope you're enjoying this snow! Is B-more getting the second wave like DC is? I may have to make a version of this tomorrow when it's all snowy 🙂
Heading to website now to order some of this mix, looks fantastic!!