Chocolate Walnut Muffins

1+1/4cups whole wheat flour
1/4cup cocoa powder
1/2tsp baking soda
1/2tsp baking powder
1/2tsp salt
1/2cup maple syrup
3/4cup skim milk+1/2tsp vanilla extract (or substitute 3/4 vanilla soy milk)
2tbsp canola oil
1/2cup chopped walnuts (+ 8 walnut halves to top muffins if desired)

Preheat oven to 350F. Grease 8 muffin cups. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. In a small bowl, whisk together maple syrup, milk, vanilla, and canola oil. Pour wet ingredients into flour mixture and stir until smooth, adding walnuts at the last minute. Do not over mix, but try not to have any pockets of dry ingredients left in the mixture. Spoon into prepared muffin tins, filling each 2/3 full. Garnish each muffin with a walnut half, if desired. Bake for 18-20 minutes, until the top springs back when lightly pressed. Let cool slightly before serving. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack, before storing well wrapped or in an airtight container. Makes 8 muffins.

Number of Servings: 8

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user JENTOROK.