Good Living Guide

Bread & Muffins

Chocolate Cherry Muffins

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Cherries and chocolate are a classic, no-fail combination. If you love biting into cherry cordials, you’ll love these healthier Chocolate Cherry Muffins. They’re wonderful with a cup of coffee and perfect for breakfast, snack time or any time.

Chocolate Cherry Muffins

Enjoy Guilt-Free Indulgence With Healthier Chocolate Cherry Muffins

If you’re like most of us, you’re probably trying to lose a few pounds, eat better or just cut down on fat. You probably think that means giving up your favorite baked treats.

I have good news. The recipe for these rich, indulgent muffins uses lower-fat ingredients, less sugar, natural ingredients and fresh cherries. That means you can enjoy them knowing they’re not made with butter, tons of sugar, processed ingredients or anything else you want to avoid.

Everyone Will Enjoy These Chocolate Cherry Muffins

They’re not missing any of the flavor, smoothness or delightful decadence of chocolate and cherry. When you smell these baking, it will be hard to resist pulling the oven open and digging into them.

Nobody has to feel left out when you make a batch of these goodies. If you’ve been holding back on baking, now’s your chance to enjoy what your oven can do again.

Tips for Making Chocolate Cherry Muffins

  • These taste best if you use fresh cherries. They’re abundant this time of year, and they give these muffins a wonderful flavor. If you can’t find fresh cherries, try canned or frozen cherries.
  • You can use other fruits like blueberries with these muffins. Add nuts or chocolate chips. Have fun experimenting with different additions and flavors.

What to Serve with Chocolate Cherry Muffins

Milk is the perfect match for baked chocolate goodness. If you’re having an adult gathering, pair the muffins with a delicious Bourbon Milk Punch.

If you’d prefer a coffee drink or you want to avoid alcohol, try a creamy, delicious and easy Cappuccino On Ice or Almond Milk Frappuccino.

Chocolate Cherry Muffins
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Chocolate Cherry Muffins

Cherries and chocolate are a classic, no-fail combination. If you love biting into cherry cordials, you'll love these healthier Chocolate Cherry Muffins.

Course Bread
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 ºF. Grease a muffin pan with olive oil. Don't use muffin pan liners for this recipe, the muffins will get stuck to them.
  2. Cut cherries in quarters.
  3. In a large bowl mix applesauce, sugar, honey, eggs and yogurt.
  4. Sift together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and baking soda. Add salt and whisk together. Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Don't overmix!
  5. Add cherry and stir. The batter will be chunky.
  6. Divide batter evenly between the pans. Sprinkle with chocolate chips.
  7. Bake for 5 minutes, then lower the temperature to 350 ºF and bake for 15 more minutes. Transfer to the cooling rack and let cool for 10 minutes, then take out of the pan.

Recipe Notes

Yield: 12 muffins

Chocolate Cherry Muffins

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bread

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Just when you think there’s nothing new in fall baking, along comes this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bread. This moist, sweet bread will be the star of your brunch table.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bread

This Wonderful Bread Will Warm You Up Quickly

Quick breads hold a special place in every baker’s heart. They never fail you. They’re a fast, easy way to enjoy something warm and fresh from the oven without having to work at it all day.

I like breads that hover between a loaf and a cake, and this moist, tender bread fits that description. It’s perfect with your morning coffee or as an afternoon snack.

Tips for Making Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bread

  • Dried cranberries are similar to raisins but with a more vibrant, tangy flavor and a beautiful ruby color. They’re a great way to add taste, color and health benefits to all your baking.
  • Make this bread even more scrumptious by drizzling a cream cheese frosting over it while it’s still warm. Try this classic recipe.
  • Pumpkin puree is not the same as pumpkin pie filling. If you only have the pie filling, you can use it if you leave out the pumpkin pie spices.

What to Serve With Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bread

This bread is a wonderful centerpiece to any fall brunch. Serve it with whipped butter and add delicious, seasonally appropriate items.

Try this Butternut Squash, Apple and Bacon Hash or a cheesy, comforting Spinach and Herb Pastatta.

Keep it cozy with mugs of warm mulled cider you can make in your crock pot.

More Pumpkin Recipes You’ll Love

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bread
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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bread

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bread makes a wonderful centerpiece to any fall brunch. It's perfect with your morning coffee or as an afternoon snack.

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine American
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 9-inch loaf pan with Pam baking spray. Set aside.

  2. Using a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, pumpkin pie spice, salt and baking powder until combined.

  3. Whisk in the sugar, pumpkin puree, canola oil, eggs, and vanilla until combined.

  4. Fold in 1 cup of the mini chocolate chips and 1 cup dried cranberries.

  5. Pour batter into the loaf pan.

  6. Sprinkle remaining dried cranberries and chocolate chips on top.

  7. Bake for 60-70 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

  8. Allow to cool completely before enjoying!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cranberry Bread

Olive Garden Breadsticks (Copycat Recipe)

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Turn spaghetti night into a restaurant-worthy meal when you add warm, buttery Olive Garden breadsticks.

Olive Garden Breadsticks

You Know You Want These Olive Garden Breadsticks

Let’s face it, certain restaurants make at least one bread item that you can’t seem to get anywhere else. The meal might be great, but that bread is what you remember.

Like everyone else, I can’t get enough of Olive Garden breadsticks.

Now, there’s no need to run out to your local restaurant when you have a craving for them. With a little prep work and just 12 minutes in the oven, you can have fluffy, mouthwatering Olive Garden breadsticks at home.

Making Olive Garden Breadsticks Is Easy

You can whip these breadsticks up with standard baking ingredients that you probably have in your pantry.

Here are some tips for the best results:

  • Use instant yeast. If you only have active dry yeast on hand, you’ll need to proof it first. This only takes a few minutes.
  • This recipe requires two risings. Double rising takes time, but it produces wonderfully soft bread.

How to Serve Olive Garden Breadsticks

You can serve these scrumptious breadsticks with almost anything. Turn them into an appetizer by pairing them with a side serving of marinara sauce. Warm up a jar or make an easy homemade version.

They’re perfect with any Italian meal, but they also go well with a hearty stew, a light soup or a cheese tray. Their mild flavor and buttery goodness are a welcome addition to any meal.

More Recipes You’ll Love

Olive Garden Breadsticks
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Olive Garden Breadsticks (Copycat Recipe)

Turn spaghetti night into a restaurant-worthy meal when you add warm, buttery Olive Garden breadsticks.

Course Appetizer
Cuisine Italian
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Using a stand mixer add your oil, water, sugar, salt and yeast.

  2. Mix to combine.

  3. Let the mix sit in the bowl for 10 minutes to let the yeast to begin to bloom.

  4. Begin to add your flour while you have the mix on low speed to form a dough mixture.

  5. Continue to mix until it forms a ball.
  6. Use a large glass bowl and spray it down with non stick spray.
  7. Take your dough ball from the mixer and add it to the bowl.
  8. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set to the side for 1 hour.
  9. You will notice the dough ball doubles in size.

  10. Before you uncover the dough ball, take your baking sheets and spread a thin layer of cooking oil on the baking tray.

  11. Now take a cutting board and cover it with flour.
  12. Place the dough ball on the board and cut it half.

  13. Now cut the half into 1" thick strips.

  14. Begin to roll the dough strips to create the rounded shape.

  15. When placing the strips on the baking sheet, make sure to leave a 2" gap in between each strip.

  16. Cover the baking sheet with plastic wrap loosely and set to the side for 1 hour.

  17. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  18. In a small bowl combine the garlic and melted butter. Stir to combine.

  19. Brush breadsticks with butter and sprinkle with salt.
  20. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

  21. Remove from the oven and coat with the garlic butter mixture.

  22. Enjoy!!

Olive Garden Breadsticks

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

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These easy to make Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins make a great breakfast or the perfect snack between meals. They are moist and fluffy and will fill your kitchen with that wonderful banana bread aroma!

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

How To Make Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

First, whisk the flour, salt, and baking soda together.

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

In a separate bowl, beat a large egg with a fork. Then add the mashed bananas and melted butter to the egg and mix them together well.

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Using over-ripe bananas is the key to super moist and delicious muffins.

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Now add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir with a spatula until combined.

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Now for the best part, it’s time to gently fold in the yummy chocolate chips.

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Then scoop the batter into 12 muffin tins lined with paper cupcake liners.

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Bake at 350F for about 25-30 minutes.

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

You will absolutely love the buttery, golden-brown muffin tops!

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

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Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

These easy to make Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins make a great breakfast or the perfect snack between meals. They are moist and fluffy and will fill your kitchen with that wonderful banana bread aroma!

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Servings 12 muffins
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350F degrees.

  2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda. Set aside.

  3. In another medium mixing bowl, beat the egg with a fork until the white and yolk are combined. Add the mashed banana and melted butter; mix well.

  4. Add the wet mixture to the dry mixture and stir with a spatula just until combined.

  5. Gently fold in the chocolate chips.

  6. Scoop the batter into 12 muffin tins lined with paper cupcake liners. Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes. The tops of the muffins will be golden brown.

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

If you love these Banana Chocolate Chips Muffins, you may also enjoy these recipes:

Coconut Lime Bread

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One bite of this Coconut Lime Bread and you’ll be whisked away to a tropical paradise!  Moist, soft, and slightly sweet, it’s perfect with coffee or a cup of tea!

Coconut Lime Bread

This cake-like bread is bursting with coconut goodness and flavors from the tropics. The delicious lime glaze is perfectly balanced between sweet and tart.  It’s a great choice for breakfast, brunch or a snack. In fact, it’s a great choice any time of day!

Coconut Lime Bread

Coconut Lime Bread
5 from 1 vote
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Coconut Lime Bread

One bite of this Coconut Lime Bread and you’ll be whisked away to a tropical paradise!  Moist, soft, and slightly sweet, it’s perfect with coffee or a cup of tea!
Author Good Living Guide

Ingredients

Lime Glaze

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

  2. Spray 9x5 loaf pan with a non-stick cooking spray.

  3. In a medium bowl, add the eggs, milk, vanilla extract and lime zest. Mix to combine.

  4. Set aside.

  5. Using a stand-up mixer on low speed, combine the flour, coconut, sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

  6. Continuing on low speed, pour in the egg mixture and mix until just combined.

  7. Now add the butter and mix until combined.

  8. Pour the batter into your loaf pan.

  9. Bake for 60-75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

  10. Once the bread is cooled, make the lime glaze.

Lime Glaze

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the confectioners sugar and the lime juice.

  2. Drizzle the glaze over the bread. 

  3. Sprinkle with the lime zest. 

One bite of this Coconut Lime Bread and you’ll be whisked away to a tropical paradise!  Moist, soft, and slightly sweet, it’s perfect with coffee or a cup of tea!

Here are some other recipes we hope you may enjoy:

Copycat Starbucks Banana Walnut Bread

Instant Pot Carne Asada Street Tacos

Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Zucchini Boats

Cinnamon Apple Cake

Copycat Starbucks Banana Walnut Bread

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Nothing says home like the smell of banana bread in the air…..and this Copycat Starbucks Banana Walnut Bread is my favorite of them all. It’s super moist and tender and the walnuts add the perfect crunch!

Copycat Starbucks Banana Nut Bread

We highly recommend using ripe or even brown bananas…..because the riper the bananas, the sweeter and better the bread will taste.

Copycat Starbucks Banana Walnut Bread

Copycat Starbucks Banana Nut Bread
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Copycat Starbucks Banana Nut Bread

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

  2. Sprinkle some flour in a loaf pan and swirl it around to coat evenly.

  3. In a medium sized bowl add your flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Whisk until combined.

  4. In another small bowl, add the egg, sugar and vegetable oil. Mix until combined.

  5. Add the dry mixture to the egg mixture and stir until well blended.

  6. Add the milk, vanilla, and mashed bananas into your mix. Combine until well incorporated. 

  7. Chop the walnuts into small pieces and fold 1/2 cup into your batter. 

  8. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.

  9. Top with remaining walnuts.

  10. Bake for 60-80 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

  11. Let cool to room temperature, then remove from the loaf pan.

  12. Enjoy!

Coconut Lime Bread

Easy Bread and Butter Pudding

Gluten Free Brownie Cookies

Carne Asada Street Tacos