I just realised that I forgot to share my recent baking endeavour with you! 
It is no secret that I love friands (see here and here). Small, gluten free, and quick and easy to make. Oh and did I mention delicious? The only issue I have with friands is that they are pretty jam packed with sugar and butter, and definitely a treat to enjoy in moderation. Until I decided to make a ‘lightened up’ version that is. And the secret ingredient??? 
Zucchini! Into a bowl went zucchini, egg whites, apple sauce, vegetable oil, almond meal, oat flour, cocoa powder, agave and stevia. 
Divided amongst my friand pan. 
And baked for 15 minutes. 
The first thing I noticed was that these friands did not rise as well as their butter/sugar counterparts. 
They were, however, light…. 
Fluffy… 
With a hint of cocoa… 
And sweet without being too sweet! 
A ‘lightened up’ version of a recent favourite. 
Enjoy one or six today 😉 Lightened up Choc-cini Friands (makes 12)
- 6 egg whites
- 1 zucchini, shredded (and squeeze out the moisture)
- 1/2 cup apple sauce
- 1 tbs vegetable oil
- 1 cup almond meal, sifted
- 1/4 cup oat flour *
- 1.5 tbs cocoa powder
- 1 tbs agave nectar
- 2 tbs stevia
- Preheat oven to 180C (fan forced) and grease a friand pan lightly with oil.
- Whisk egg whites in a medium bowl until frothy.
- Add the remaining ingredients, and stir until just combined.
- Spoon into the friand pan, and bake for 15 to 16 minutes (or until a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean).
- Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool.
- * To make the oat flour, I simply processed rolled oats in my food processor until fine.
What about you? What is your favourite way to ‘lighten’ up baked treats?
i certainly agreeable opinion and views.
Your blog provides a fresh look at the subject.
Zucchini in a friand?? I have to try that!! 🙂
How fascinating! A great recipe for summer, when zucchini abounds 🙂 The bird's eye view, I would've thought you made shortbread!
Oh I love zucchini in baked goods – especially with some intense cocoa powder. Zucchini, apple sauce, egg whites, almonds…these are like health food!
Those look delicious Lisa! How pretty!
You have such a way with baking, I really admire you!
If I lighten up a recipe with butter, I use earth balance or whole wheat flour 🙂
Those look delicious and beautiful, and I love making baked goods with some extra [surprise] vegetables. What a great way to add some extra vitamins!
Hope you have a great week, Lisa.
good job! i like your healthier version, i have a friand tin too and love to find reasons to use it 🙂
Ooh, yum. I feel in love with baking with zucchini earlier this year (so moist!), but I like your efforts more than mine – because mine, to date, have not involved chocolate. That may change!
*fell, not feel!
Yep I love using vegetables in baking. Have you tried baking with beetroot? That's a good vegetable to use too! 🙂
Those look delicious. I like to lighten up things by using less butter, or substituting applesauce.
those look fantastic!!
Zucchini in baked goods is delicious!
What a great combination – will have to definitely give this a go. Love friands, zucchini and apple sauce – yum!!!