#MyQuestmas Recipe Contest Winner #2 – Quest Nutrition Hot Chocolate Cupcake

Our #MyQuestmas week 2 winner is Paul at @healthnutlife! Congratulations on your amazing Quest Hot Chocolate Cupcake recipe! Every delicious bite is like sipping the classic holiday beverage. Give it a try and tell us what you think!

Yield: 6 cupcakes

Serving Size: 1 cupcake

Ingredients:

Cupcake:

• 1 Quest Nutrition Chocolate Brownie Quest Bar
• 1/2 cup (40g) old fashion rolled oats
• 1 scoop (~28g) Quest Nutrition Chocolate Milkshake Protein Powder (I used Vanilla Milkshake Protein Powder cause that’s all I had, but it’ll be more chocolatey if you use chocolate protein!)
• 1/4 cup zero-calorie sweetener (or less if you don’t want it too sweet)
• 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 teaspoon instant coffee crystals (optional, but enhances chocolate flavor)
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup (113g) nonfat plain greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup (~115g) unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tbsp (~15g) egg whites
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Frosting:

• 1/2 cup (113g) nonfat plain greek yogurt
• 40g Quest Nutrition Vanilla Milkshake Protein Powder
• 3 tsp zero-calorie sweetener
• Toppings:
• 1 small candy cane
• 1 chunk of Amberlyn’s Milk Chocolate
• 18 mini marshmallows

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit and prepare a muffin pan with 6 paper muffin cups or silicone cups. I also spray mine with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Microwave the Chocolate Brownie Quest Bar for 10 seconds and then roll out on counter until about 1/4 inch thick.
3. Place in the heated oven for about 7 to 8 minutes and then remove and let cool.
4. Break the Quest Bar into pieces and process in the food processor or small blender until it is a fine powder.
5. Add the powder into a large mixing bowl and now, if you don’t have oat flour, you can make some in the food processor or small blender for the recipe.
6. Add the oat flour, Chocolate Milkshake Quest Protein Powder, zero-calorie sweetener, baking soda, baking powder, sea salt, unsweetened cocoa powder, and coffee crystals into the bowl with the Chocolate Quest Bar powder.
7. Mix until everything is well combined and then add the yogurt, almond milk, egg whites, and the vanilla extract and continue to mix until everything is incorporated.
8. Divide into the 6 cupcake cups and place in the oven for about 15-17 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
9. After they are done, remove from the oven and let them cool completely.
10. For the frosting, mix the yogurt, Vanilla Milkshake Quest Protein Powder and the zero-calorie sweetener until everything is incorporated.
11. Crush the peppermint stick into small pieces and set aside. Also cut the chocolate into small pieces and set aside.
12. Top the cooled cupcakes with some protein frosting and then add 3 mini marshmallows, some crushed peppermint and a bit of the cut up chocolate to the top. (Optional: Add a peppermint handle!) Enjoy!

Macronutrients:

(For 1 serving without peppermint handles): Calories 142. Protein: 18g Fat: 2g Net Carbohydrates: 10g Fiber: 6g