Skinny Carrot Cake Muffins taste like an indulgent treat but are actually light and healthy and full of tons of nutritious ingredients.
I don’t know about you, but I can barely remember my new year’s resolutions. Ok correction – I remember them, I just haven’t exactly been sticking to them. I think my good intentions lasted all of 7 days. I just can’t say no to these and these. So to try to get back on track, I tricked myself into thinking I was eating carrot cake with these Skinny Carrot Cake Muffins! They taste delicious and are so moist, and they are packed with healthy ingredients – carrots, Sunsweet diced plums, oats, and Greek yogurt! These muffins are the perfect light and healthy snack to give you energy and satisfy your sweet tooth.
Healthy snacks are a key way for me to stay on track with my resolutions and improve the quality of my diet. But sometimes that is easier said than done, which is why I love these carrot cake muffins so much. I feel like I’m eating something indulgent, but I’m actually getting a nutritious snack packed with protein, fiber and vitamins!
One of the best parts of these muffins are the diced dried plums…aka prunes. Prunes can sometimes get a bad rep, but they are honestly so delicious – and so healthy! They are called the Feel Good Fruit because they are a great source of fiber and nutrition. Plus they have a low glycemic index, which means prunes keep you feeling fuller longer – a huge perk when you are trying to eat less!
These carrot cake muffins are so easy to make – they come together in no time, which means a delicious and healthy snack or breakfast is just around the corner.
The building blocks are the usual suspects – flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt. I also add cinnamon to the mix to give a nice flavor boost without adding any calories. Then I add in some oats – they add tons of nutrition and give the muffins a great flavor and texture. There is a little vegetable oil to keep things moist, but most of the fat is replaced with nonfat Greek yogurt. A little skim milk adds some calcium and extra moisture and an egg holds everything together. I use brown sugar for sweetness, but you could use a little less if you are trying to cut back on your sugar intake. Of course there has to be carrots in carrot cake, so shredded carrots are next. They give the muffins a great flavor, texture, and color – and are so healthy!
And then the final additions are Amaz!n™ Diced Prunes, and a little bit of sweetened shredded coconut. The diced prunes are like little gems of sweetness in these muffins. They are similar to raisins, but I like them so much more. The flavor is better, the texture is more moist, and they have less sugar! The coconut is totally optional, but I like coconut in my carrot cake!
Skinny Carrot Cake Muffins with Amaz!n™ Diced Prunes are a delicious and healthy way to keep you on track with your new year’s resolutions!
Skinny Carrot Cake Muffins taste like an indulgent treat but are actually light and healthy and full of tons of nutritious ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup flour (I used 1 cup all-purpose, 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup quick cooking oats
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (I used 0% fat)
- 1/3 cup milk (I used skim)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup diced dried plums (prunes)
- 1/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a 12-count muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt until well combined. Add the oats and mix together.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together oil, sugar, and egg until very well combined, at least 1 minute. Add yogurt and milk and whisk until well combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just incorporated. Fold in the carrots, then fold in the prunes and the coconut until just combined.
- Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin tin.
- Bake the muffins at 400 degrees for 5 minutes, then turn down the heat to 350 and bake for about 15 more minutes.
- Cool in the tin for a minute, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
More skinny minnie recipes!
Skinny Donuts with Chocolate Greek Yogurt Icing
Skinny Double Chocolate Muffins
Skinny Chocolate Cake made with Greek Yogurt
Connect with Chez CateyLou!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
My sister is always asking me to make her carrot cake! Maybe I will treat her to these instead 🙂
What a great idea, Kacey! If she likes carrot cake, I think she will love these!
These look like they’d make a pretty great “on the go” breakfast. And I actually love the addition of the prunes. Such a smart way to pack in more fiber!
You are right Jordan – a perfect breakfast on the go! Thanks for stopping by!
I adore carrot cake everything – love the healthy spin you put on these muffins – they must be super moist with that yogurt in there too!
Thanks, Shashi! They are so moist – I love baking with yogurt!
I love it when the word “cake” is involved in my breakfast. “Skinny” is a good word too, so these sound pretty perfect to me! I’ve never baked with prunes but will have to give it a try!
Cake in breakfast is absolutely the best!! Prunes are such a fun change from raisins in baked goods – and I actually like them better!
Greek yogurt in baked goods is the best! Pinned!
Thanks, Julie! I can’t get enough yogurt in my baking!!
Thank goodness these are skinny, cuz I could totally see myself sneaking a few here and there as the day went on….
Kita you are so right – I snacked on way too many of these – but didn’t have to feel guilty about them! Thanks for stopping by!
I love these little prunes!
Thanks, Heather! These mini diced prunes are so tasty – a great sub for raisins in baked goods!
Ohhh.. must make asap! I love all things carrot cake! YUM!
Thanks, Kelley!
This sure has skinny written all over it and I’m a huge fan of it. This will make me feel less guilty eaten a muffin first thing in the morning. 🙂
I totally agree, Connie! Thanks for stopping by!
I love how you made these skinny. The oats and yogurt are a great addition.
Thanks, Jocelyn! I love trying to make baked goods skinny when I can!
These look scrumptious!!!
Thank you so much, Amanda!
I am really loving all of your fabulous muffins lately, but carrot cake is totally my favorite thing, and (don’t tell anyone this but) I really love prunes. They get such a bad rep, but they actually taste great!
Nora I’m glad you are also a secret prune lover – I think they are so good! One of my favorite dried fruits!
I love carrot cake and these muffins look so tasty! I’m glad these are Skinny because I’d be munching on them all day long!
Well, I’m certainly eating better than Dec but not as good as had hoped on Jan 1. Skinny muffins will definitely make my life easier but I can feel like I’m indulging but avoid all the guilt (and calories/fat). These look delicious and I’m already thinking ahead for these being perfect for Easter morning!
Love these Cate! This is just the kind of breakfast/snack I need, I’ve found myself getting a little off-track lately too with my diet. No thanks to Superbowl food! The dried plums sound like a perfect addition- I actually really love prunes 🙂
These muffins sound delicious! A perfect use for leftover carrots in the fridge! And really, who doesn’t want to eat a muffin for breakfast?!
Prunes are my secret weapon, too! These muffins look so good.
I love taking something and making it healthier for you.
I’ve always wanted to try carrot cake or muffins, and this skinny recipe looks delicious!
Thanks, Mandie!