Apple Carrot Muffins (Grain free)

Any time I can sneak a veggie into a sweet I feel like I'm winning at life. These muffins are healthy enough they can be eaten for breakfast or a snack and just sweet enough they could be eaten for dessert. Not only do these have fruit, nuts, and veggies, but they're also grain free so basically they're the ultimate healthy muffin with a bonus of tasting delicious! When you're reading through this recipe you're going to feel like it's fall with the spices but trust me, these are good all year round.

I used basically the same recipe as my Chia Seed Banana Bread. The base of this bread is almond and garbanzo bean flour and there's no butter (the only dairy is a TBSP of sour cream/greek yogurt). Instead of using bananas for my fruit I made my own applesauce. Making applesauce is super easy, but if you want to make this recipe even easier you can buy it premade. I would suggest using a chunky/low sugar applesauce, but any kind will do. Also, I used almond slices but walnuts or pecans would be great! Now, if you're weirded out by the carrot part of this, don't be. You can't even tell they're there! I use a micro plane to grate the carrots so they're so finely grated they disappear into the muffin when baked.

As you can see from the photos, this can be made into muffins or a loaf. They both worked perfectly, but I think I'll make them strictly muffins from now on. Muffins are just so easy. Easy to clean up after baking, easy to get out of the pan, quick to grab and go without having to even take plate! I'm becoming muffin obsessed. I somehow only have one 6 portion muffin pan though so that needs to change soon! This recipe made 6 muffins and one small loaf. You could also make 12 muffins or one bigger loaf. Bake times will vary depending on the size of your loaf pan. Using a 9x5 pan will need to cook 35-40 mins. A smaller pan will only need to cook about 30 mins. No matter the pan size, I would watch it closely at 25 mins. The top will be browned and a toothpick will come out clean when done!

Bakin gluten free/grain free can be super frustrating, especially if you're just starting out, but recipes like this make it totally doable! Even if you're not following a gluten-free diet, these are still delicious. My husband isn't gluten free and doesn't even like sweets, but he really digs these muffins. He's my brutally honest taste tester, so when he likes something you know it's good!

Ingredients

(Makes 12 muffins)

1/4 cup raw sugar

1/4 cup coconut sugar or brown sugar

1/4 cup coconut oil

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 TBSP full fat sour cream or greek yogurt

2 cups almond flour

1/2 cup garbanzo bean flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

Pinch of salt

1/2 heaping cup applesauce

1/4 cup almond slices (or nut of choice)

1/4 cup golden raisins

1/4 cup finely shaved carrots, lightly packed

If making your own applesauce

1 huge honey crisp

1-2 tsp local honey

1 tsp cinnamon

Directions

(Preheat oven to 350)

1. Cream sugars and coconut oil with a stand-up/handheld mixer for about 5 minutes. (Use soft coconut oil, not completely melted.)

2. Add eggs one at a time mixing for about 30 seconds on medium-low speed and scraping down the edges in between. Then add vanilla and sour cream and mix to combine.

3. In a separate bowl mix all dry ingredients and add slowly to the wet ingredients. Mix until combined.

4. Add in applesauce*, almond slices, raisins, and carrots and stir with a spoon until evenly incorporated.

5. Fill muffins about half way or add to a well oil loaf pan and top with thinly cut apple pieces.

6. For muffins: Bake 20-25 mins ​ For Loaf: Bake 30-45 mins depending on pan size (outside will be browned and toothpick will come out clean)

Taste Test

Apple Carrot Loaf

Apple Carrot Muffins

*To make your own applesauce:

1. For caramelized version heat the apples, honey, and cinnamon over high heat until they start to sizzle. Then I turn down the heat to medium and cover.

2. Remove lid and stir every few minutes.

3. Cook until there is some slight browning/caramelization and apples are nice and soft (about 15-20 mins). If they start to actually burn, turn down the heat.

4. Squish with a potato masher, leaving some chunks.

You can also see this recipe for a non-caramelized version!

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