Eggnog Muffins

These muffins are lightly sweet and packed with festive flavors, but made healthier with whole wheat flour and protein-packed Greek yogurt.

I have always loved to bake, not just around the holidays.  What I really love is to make treats, breads and muffins lighter by using a few simple substitutions.  When people ask me what I do to lighten up my baked goods, I always say the same two words…. GREEK YOGURT!

I know, you’ve heard me talk about my love affair with Greek yogurt for years now (since I wrote The Greek Yogurt Cookbook a few years ago) and it still holds true today.  Did you know that one serving of milk, cheese or yogurt provides 8 grams of high-quality protein and a powerful package of 9 essential nutrients. Experts (like yours truly) recommend 3 servings of low fat dairy foods every day which not only provides protein but also bone-building calcium as well.

When the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council (ADADC) asked me to create a healthier recipe using one or more low fat dairy products, my head was filled with so many ideas.  Naturally, my first thought was to use Greek yogurt but I also wanted to make this recipe festive, and what’ amore festive than eggnog?

It’s really important to me that I work with companies and brands that not only offer quality products, but also those that give back to the community.  ADADC will be hosting The Great American Milk Drive where they will deliver thousands of gallons of milk to families who would otherwise go without. You can see how much milk has been donated so far in your state and make donations here. A $5 donation is equal to about one gallon of milk.  I absolutely love this and I am thrilled to be a part of it.  Especially during the holiday season.

ADADC will also launch its #GiveAGallon Challenge to raise awareness about hunger and the basic need for milk for underprivileged families. Every time a photo is posted on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook of a person, group or pet wearing a white mustache with “#GiveAGallon Text “MILK” to 80077” from Dec. 14, 2015 to Jan. 15, 2016, ADADC will donate $1 to Feeding America’s Great American Milk Drive, until $25,000 is donated.  See what I mean?  Let’s all do our part to help this important cause.

Now back to these muffins…

I’ve made these a few times already and they are always a hit with my family.  I don’t call them eggnog muffins to my kids though because they insist that they don’t like eggnog.  Ok, to be fair, I am not an eggnog lover either but that’s the beauty of these muffins, they have a hint of eggnog and wonderful holiday spices that everyone loves.  Even picky kids.  Ok, and this picky mom.

Wait until you see how easy these are to make.  Even all of you non-bakers can make these.  I promise.

Print

Eggnog Muffins

Course Breakfast, brunch

Servings 24 muffins

Author Lauren Kelly Nutrition

Ingredients

• Muffins:
• 2 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup unrefined sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup low fat plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup low fat egg nog
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup butter melted
• Glaze:
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
• nutmeg for sprinkling on top

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Gently grease muffin tins or line them with muffin cups.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, baking powder, nutmeg and cinnamon.
4. In a separate bowl, beat together the Greek yogurt, egg nog, vanilla and melted butter.
5. Add the wet ingredients to dry and stir to combine.
6. Pour batter into prepared muffin tins and bake for 25 minutes or until toothpick placed in the center of muffin comes out dry.
7. Allow to cool in muffin tins for a few minutes before placing on a wire rack.
8. Prepare glaze by mixing powdered sugar and Greek yogurt in a small bowl until smooth.
9. Pour glaze on top of each muffin. Gently sprinkle with nutmeg.
10. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Please go visit these other fabulous recipes that are participating in  the #GiveAGallon campaign:

Slow Cooker Snowflake Hot Chocolate from Wishes and Dishes
Mini Cheddar Ranch Cheese Ball Bites from Mother Thyme
White Chocolate Snickerdoodle Milkshake from Ciao Chow Bambina
Christmas Morning Muffins from Running to the Kitchen
Savory Coeur la Crème with Cranberry from Hungry Couple NYC
White Hot Chocolate from Courtney’s Sweets
Eggnog Dutch Baby from Nutmeg Nanny
Blueberry Pomegranate Smoothie from It’s a Keeper

I don’t know which one to make first, they all sound DELICIOUS!

Lastly, come join me and these talented bloggers on Thursday December 17, 2015 from 9-10 p.m. EST for a twitter party to celebrate the holiday while also providing milk to those in-need.  We’ll be chatting about holiday recipes, cooking tips and ways we give back. For each guest who attends and uses the #GiveAGallon hashtag, $1 will be donated to The Great American Milk Drive to help give a gallon to those in-need.!  This is yet another great way to support a wonderful cause.  Show me your milk mustache and donate to a worthy campaign.  It really is that easy.

Check out these handsome, milk-mustache-wearing little elves…

Enjoy the muffins!