Chocolate Chip-A-Root Bites

This recipe is the culmination of months worth of effort to create a high quality baked product that is friendly to food allergies and contains root vegetables. It's a moist, dense, rich chocolate flavored, low calorie, low fat treat. In addition, this product is very low in sodium, low in saturated fat, and a great source of antioxidants! Don't let all the health claims fool you - these are delicious!

Ingredients: see ingredient notes below*

1 c. sorghum flour

3/4 tsp. guar gum

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. aluminum-free baking powder

1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tbl. brown sugar

1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

3.8 oz dark berry applesauce

1/2 c. unsweetened applesauce

1/4 c. original flavored rice milk

1-1/2 c. peeled butternut squash, grated

1-1/2 c. unpeeled sweet potato, grated

1/3 c. dairy-free, gluten-free semisweet chocolate chips

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 176 degrees Celsius.

2. Spray two mini-muffins pans with cooking spray.

3. In a medium sized bowl, mix together: flour and all dry ingredients except sugar and chocolate chips. Whisk to combine and set aside.

4. In a large bowl, whisk together: all wet ingredients except vegetables until light and fluffy. Stir in vegetables. Fold in chocolate chips.

5. Spoon mixture evenly into 42 muffin cups (omit one column) approximately 1 to 1-1/2 tablespoons per bite. Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until tooth pick inserted in center of muffin comes out dry. Enjoy!

Serving Size = 1 bite. At under 40 calories per bite you can indulge guilt free on a few of these!

*Recipe options: note that any substitutions will alter the nutritional and allergen content

- In place of sorghum flour: all purpose gluten-free flour, rice flour, whole wheat flour, etc.

- You can purchase aluiminum-free baking powder at a health food store.

- Dark berry apple sauce refers to pre-made applesauce in individual 3.8 oz containers, find this with your premade applesauces at your local grocery store. Avoid ones containing high fructose corn syrup as this promotes storage of extra fat in the body. Fat accumulation around the abdomen and lower torso is related to increased risk of diseases.

- Rice milk may be substituted with cows, almond, or your favorite milk option. Soy has been widely researched for around 40 years now. Some research suggests that the consumption of Soy is beneficial due to it's ability to mimic estrogen. This product is used to relieve symptoms of menopause which is indicative of a decrease in the hormone estrogen in the body and physical symptoms like the loss of menstruation. Other new research from a long-term study suggests that Soy can lead to premature aging, growth disorders, thyroid gland problems, infertility, and tumor growth. Consider the facts!