Carrot Muffins with Coconut Flour
These gluten free carrot muffins make a great addition to any brunch menu, though especially one for Mother's Day.
These lightly sweetened muffins are made with high fiber coconut flour. Don't let all that healthy stuff scare you off though, they're mighty tasty. And with yacon sweetening them, they're not too sweet. If you want to replace the yacon with agave your muffin will be just a bit sweeter. I tried making them both ways and preferred the yacon version.
I would say that yacon compares to agave the way molasses compares to honey. Yacon and molasses have a more subtle, round flavor, whereas agave and honey have a sharp, sweet flavor.
Either way, these muffins are a healthy treat great for breakfast, snack or dessert.
¼ cup coconut flour
¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
3 eggs
¼ cup grapeseed oil
¼ cup yacon syrup
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup carrots, grated
¼ cup currants
- In a medium bowl, combine coconut flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon
- In a large bowl, blend together eggs, oil, yacon and vanilla
- Blend dry ingredients into wet, then fold in carrots and currants
- Grease a mini muffin tin with grapeseed oil and then dust with coconut flour
- Spoon approximately 1 teaspoon of batter into each greased mini muffin cup
- Bake at 350° for 10 minutes
- Cool and serve
Makes about about 32 mini-muffins
Just before we ate dinner last night, my boys were packing their lunches. Much to my surprise, my older one put 5 or 6 of these carrot mini-muffins in his lunch. He's more of a brownie kind of guy and doesn't usually go for my fruity (or in this case vegetable) type treats. When I told him I was so glad that he liked these new muffins, he responded that he did not.
He then explained that the boys in his class really like my baked goods and he trades them for fruit leather and candy at lunchtime. Whoopee. You can imagine how happy I was about this. Not. Overall, I would have to say that the children he trades with are getting the better end of the deal! At least my son is a good label reader and is hopefully not getting glutenized. Though that's not really the point in this case.
I want to take a moment and thank all of you for your comments. While I love what I do and get satisfaction from it day in and day out, it is great to hear from all of you. I so appreciate the contact and community. Your comments really are the icing on the cake!
And to thank you all for your wonderful comments, for this week's Friday Freebie I will be giving away an Elana's Pantry tote bag made of 100% recycled cotton. Leave a comment on this post and your name will go into the Yankees hat for the drawing (to be done by my boys) next Thursday evening. We will announce the winner next Friday.
Happy Mother's Day everyone!
Welcome to Elana's Pantry!
If you enjoyed the recipe above please take a moment to look at the rest of my gluten free recipes.You can also read more about me, peruse my forums or subscribe to Elana's Pantry below and receive an email anytime I post a recipe. Thanks!
Posted on May 8, 2009 in desserts by Elana
you might also like: Mini Blueberry Muffins (Video Tutorial)
or Blueberry Muffins
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I've started seeing a lot of posts about agave nectar not actually being all that healthy and comparing it to high fructose corn syrup. I've also seen rebuttals. I'm curious whether you've looked into any of this, or heard about it, and what you think. You're one of the few bloggers who seems to use it fairly consistently.
Hi Dawn!!
I saw your question and thought I'd refer you to Elana's FAQ, she has an answer to the agave question there:
http://www.elanaspantry.com/frequently-asked-ques...
Hope that helps :-)
I see what you mean. Sorry, just trying to help!
my husband's favorite dessert ever is carrot cake. He will love these packed in his lunch as a snack. Thanks!
Hi Elana~
The grapeseed oil and yacon amounts are 1/4 cup each, right? I don't have yacon so I'm thinking of putting a tablespoon of blackstrap molasses in a 1/4 cup measuring cup and then filling the rest with agave and subbing raisins or dates for the currants, which are impossible to find here. YUM - I love carrots and coconut and raisins! How many carrots is it, on average, to get to 1 cup shredded? I'm guessing 2.
Please enter me into the drawing. Oh, and I meant to tell you that I preordered your book from Amazon; actually, my mom ordered it for me with the promise that I'll bake your recipes for her. :)
Hi Elana,
These muffins are delicious. I used these amounts - though I subbed 1 T blackstrap molasses and the rest agave for the yacon - to yield 12 medium to small regular-sized muffins. My 2 carrots yielded way over 1 cup worth when shredded, in case that is useful for anyone else.
By the way, while I did spray my silicone muffin "tin" with grapeseed spray, I forgot to flour them with coconut flour (how do you do this anyhow, so you don't waste?). And so they stuck pretty badly! :( Luckily, my husband and I agreed that our tummies and taste buds don't mind the misshappenness.
I love that the kids in your son's class recognize how yummy your treats are. Lucky them. And these muffins look so good.
coconut flour?! awesome. I need to find me some of that, stat!
Looks great. I love everything about coconuts. Thanks again.
The muffins look so good!!! Elana, is it possible to make a savory muffin out of coconut flour? I cant eat sugar or any sweetener (stevia is the only thing I'm allowed and it tastes awful, except for herbal teas)... So I'm wondering how to make this muffin savory - I''ll exchange cranberries for the currants.. add some spices and green chillies... but if I cut out the yacon syrup, I still have to add something for the moisture... applesauce or more oil? would that work?
Those look yummy! Are the proportions for agave and yacon the same? Could I make them regular sized instead of mini?
These sound wonderful. I'm putting them on the list for baking tomorrow. My youngest son who is 15 is a good baker. He's spending the day with me baking or I should say I'm baking with him. What a great gift he's giving me. We'll make these for Mother's Day breakfast. My in-laws are here and they will love them too. I would love to find the yacon but for now we'll use agave. Thank you for sharing.
I made your Sesame Cookies today and wow they are great! My entire family is crazy about them, and the dough. My mom was here when they came out of the oven and she said that she loves them. That means a lot coming from her because she thinks the food I eat is just plain weird :)
We heart Elana in our kitchen. Never would we trade away your delicious food!!
Just made carrot muffins earlier in the week with your carrot cake recipe. Will try this next time.
Hi Elana!
Wow!! Another great recipe. Thanks. The other evening I made corn bread and substituted coconut flour for the flour. It made the bread more cake like in consistency, but the taste was great! I used equal amounts of ground corn meal and coconut flour. I think next time I will use more corn and less coconut to see if the consistency is more like corn bread.
Please enter me into your drawing.
Blessings,
~Evelyn Mae
They look amazing! Do you think it's possible to make them egg-free with good results?
Can't wait to try these!
Mmmmmmm!! Just made them and added some walnuts.. spread some maple syrup-cream cheese on the top. Delicious!! Thanks Elana:)
I can't wait to try this recipe. I really love using coconut flour when I bake; but when I try to substitute it for regular flour, the coconut seems to need more liquid. And I'm never sure exactly how to adjust the liquid. Anyway, I just wanted to say I think kids never value what they have at home whatever it is. (not until they're older, anyway.) When mine were small, I always made their Halloween costumes, and the neighborhood kids had costumes from WMart. So my kids wanted costumes from Wmart, and the neighborhood kids wanted their moms to make their costumes, instead. Gotta love them, bless their hearts! Much love and many blessings. June
Baking with 100% coconut flour requires lots of moisture, usually in the form of eggs (since the eggs supply the protein structure instead of the gluten in regular/all purpose flour) and sometimes oil/fat. Bruce Fife, the guru on coconut flour, says that you can generally replace between 10-20% coconut flour of the regular flour in a recipe, and that will greatly increase the fiber and nutrition.
I've found the same thing. Coconut flour sucks up a LOT of liquid, so you have to either adjust for that to get the texture you need, or like PP said, only sub part of your flour with coconut. I can do rice flour and such, so I tend to use some coconut flour and then use my regular GF flour combo for the rest. Even then I sometimes need to add a little more milk, water, etc.
That is such a cute story. I work with moms all the time who are trying to get their kids to eat healthier. I pretend like when, one day I have my own, they'll be little sugar hating, gluten-free, almond milk drinking, sleeping through the night, veggie loving bundles of joy.... I suppose it's never that simple is it? Carrot cake is my momma's all time favourite dessert- going to add these to the bundle of goodies I am cooking up for her.
Elana, do you have a favorite type of muffin tin? I've seen your post about the baking tins you like to use. My son loves muffins and cupcakes, but baking these has the final step of having to scrub out each little muffin cavity in the pan by hand, which I find laborious--so I often make a tea bread in a loaf pan instead, and line the pan with parchment. Easy clean up! Anybody have any tips? I have tried the silicon muffin tins and found that baked goods didn't brown enough in them.
Thanks for all of your great work. I consistently read and enjoy your blog.
This is perfect and perfect timing! My husband and I were just talking about carrot muffins (his favorite). I had gotten one for him at a cafe, yesterday, and he said it was too sweet...guess we've gotten used to baking our own and cutting the sweetener in half or more (except for your recipes). Even better, my mother-in-law is working with Weight Watchers right now, so she's supposed to eat low-cal, high fiber foods, and she loves carrot cake. We're heading to their house for Mother's Day celebration this evening, so I'm going to try to make these to take along. With the coconut flour...couldn't ask for better!
The story about your son cracked me up--just like the stories about kids who would trade their freshly baked homemade cookies for the sometimes stale store-bought ones...too funny. Are Elana's Pantry totes for sale, and I just missed the info? As much as we advertise your site to friends and family, I'd love to get one (or more)!
Thanks again, Elana! You've made it a whole lot easier for our family to keep eating healthy!
I love cocount and will make these muffins this weekend. I have had such a great response from my family with everything that you have posted. thanks a million.
Your muffins look wonderful. I have not ever used coconut flour, I usually just go for the almond meal and love that. What is the texture of muffins and cakes with coconut flour like? It sounds so great and perhaps a little lighter than almond meal.
I just discovered your blog and love it I can't wait for the cookbook.
Thanks for the postings
Thank you so much for doing the research to find what tastes best. I am new to a gluten free diet and while I am surprised that it is not as hard as I thought it would be, its still a big adjustment. If it weren't for your delicious recipes and knowledge on when to use which types of alternative flours when, I would probably just be missing out on delicious treats like this. Thank you!
Hi, I love your site and have found it superior to all other G/F sites. Look forward to your book. Can you tell me why you used the Yakon rather than molasses, which is much less expensive?
Thanks,
Cathy
These muffins are fantastic! We love mini-muffins around here and almost always have some on hand - they are such an easy little snack. Thank you for adding another recipe to our family. Lynn
Anything with coconut makes me happy!
You are doing your boys a great big favor the way you feed them. And even though he's trading your healthy treats for candy, he's still eating extremely well 98% of the time with everything you feed him at home. I can only imagine what my, and many other individuals, health would be like today if I were fed REAL food from the get-go. We'd be better off! But I do sympathize because I feel the same way about my husband when he chooses junk over the food I have at home!
I would look so stylish at the co-op with your tote bag :-D
Happy Mother's Day tomorrow Elana!!
I did see that, but I was referring to something a little different than what she addressed on there.
I assume that's supposed to say 1/4 tsp of baking soda, correct? I didn't realize the omission until I was halfway through making these this morning.
Sounds like you have a little business man in the making! Today swaps, tomorrow big business!
Happy Mother's Day, Elana. I hope this doesn't post twice...I think I messed up my first attempt to submit a reply. Just wanted to say the lemon poppyseed mini muffins were a huge hit with my three kids and I'm going to try this next. Thanks for the great recipe!
Amazing, delicious recipe. Another one I can add to the coconut is GREAT for you post, thanks again =) http://drnishantrao.wordpress.com/2009/04/28/what...
Elana, these look amazing and I can't wait to make them (as soon as I get some more carrots and some Yacon Syrup- I've been eyeing it for weeks!) I am making your chocolate chip brownies in the oven right now and I can't wait to try them. I was surprised how sticky the "dough" got though, almost like taffy...but they smell divine and I expect them to taste amazing too!Thanks for all your wonderful recipes, I made the german choc cake for my son's b'day and all the kids liked them (though I used the choc frosting only and used butter instead of the oil)...this is one of my favorite sites!! Blessings to you this mother's day too!!
At least he's trading for fruit leather! When I was a kid I'd trade my fruit leather for a classmates's salami sandwich!! Ugh.
Thanks for the great site- I love it.
I've never been much for carrot cake, but put it in muffin form and I'm there. I so love the little bites of muffins. Boy, that was a twist I didn't expect in that story, but don't take it too hard, Elana. This is just a moment in time. Like Coconut Gal said, he's eating well most of the time. He'll come around. I think it's awesome that the other kids are trading their "goodies" for your baked goods though!
I'd love the tote bag. How cool that it's recycled cotton!
Happy Mother's Day, Elana!
Shirley
Oh these look so good and work for my pro-thyroid diet. I will try these out with a little teeny weeny bit of agave nectar or honey since I don't have yacon. Thanks!!
Thank you for this recipe! I am going to try these tomorrow as soon as I can! I have been making a modified version of your lemon poppy seed muffins a lot lately and they disappear so fast that I have to quadruple the batch to have them last longer than a day. I can't wait to try these! Thank you for your work!
Elana, my little one's first real food a few days ago was your blueberry muffins. I make a few changes, coconut oil and I add some chia. He ate little bites of it, so cute, so healthy and so fun!!!! I just bought yacon and I"m excited to try these. Hope you had a lovely mother's day, Hannah
Yummy Yums!
I might try these with my 5 year old anti-veggie son. I've been trying to sneak more veggies into his diet and he's fine with that - as long as he doesn't see them !! These look yummy.
Made these this morning for my family and got "yummy" reviews. Thanks again! On the candy swap note, my kids have done similar things with their lunches, and while not happy they weren't getting the nutritious lunches I intended, I was always pleased they were so honest with me. I am thinking that even though your son is experimenting with his power of food choice at school, he obviously attains the more important attribute of being honest with his mom. Your great parenting extends far beyond the kitchen!
Soooo funny!! I was in amazement when I found that my son was doing the same thing! Too true that the other kids are getting the better end of the deal:)
Oh goodie! I have been juicing a lot and need a good recipe for my carrot pulp and now I have one.
Can't wait to give these a try.
Thanks!!
Dawn -There is a lot of talk about this all over the internet and in my forums as well. I think agave is a good sweetener used in moderation. It works for me, this may not be the case for others, we are all different.
shannon -You're welcome!
~M -Sounds like you have a good experiment on your hands --keep us posted!
Eden -Thanks!
lk -Thanks for your great comment :-)
Matt -You're welcome.
Kay -Savory muffins? Sounds like a delicious experiment; let us know how it goes!
merav -You could try, though I don't know how they'll turn out as I haven't done that myself. Keep us posted!
Diane -Aww, that is so sweet.
Rebecca -Very cool, don't you love that?!
Laura K -Thanks for your super nice comment; I really appreciate it!
Evelyn -Thank you for sharing your delectable sounding substitutions!
Jayn -Hmmm, seems like it would be worth a shot, though I don't know how they would turn out.
krussell -Let us know how you like 'em.
Laney -OMG, that sounds amazing!
Junecutie -Thanks for sharing that story and for another wonderful comment!
Meghan -I read your comment to my husband and we laughed so much.
Penny -Cleaning out those mini-muffin tins is such a chore, I haven't found one that eliminates this baking downer.
Kate -Thanks for your comment, glad this recipe is working for the diverse tastes and needs of your family :-)
janice -You're welcome!
Jodie -It's really tasty, for more info, I would post your question in the forums, there are lots of helpful folks over there.
kimoneill77 -Thanks for your comment and yes, I agree it is a big adjustment!
Cathy -If you look at some of my other posts, I discuss the health benefits of yacon, it is a prebiotic. Thanks for your super nice comment, by they way!
Lynn -You're very welcome.
CoconutGal -Thanks, I totally agree, 98% of what he eats is optimal and it's not such a bad thing for them to start striking out on their own and figuring things out for themselves at this age.
Karen -Yup!
Carin -Hope you all enjoy them :-)
Dr. Rao -Thanks so much doc!
Justine -Blessings to you and I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day.
Libbi -Yes!
Shirley -I think it's pretty cool too that the "normal" children are eating my food!
Realfood2health -You're welcome, hope you enjoy :-)
Jenni -Quadruple batch? Wow!
Hannah -Love the addition of chia, sounds both delicious and nutritious.
Con -Yup yup!
chrystal -They sure are :-)
j.cro -Let us know how they turn out with the pulp, that's such a great idea.
Magda -Just might work :-)
Stacie -Wow, thanks for your sweet comment, it gave me goose bumps. I was really proud of him in feeling comfortable enough to make his own choices and tell me about them. And I was happy with myself in having the level of acceptance that I do and taking it in stride, not reacting. It's all just a matter of perspective, isn't it?!
these are delicious! i added about a teaspoon of ground ginger and 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg for extra spice and used some pumpkin seeds and coconut instead of currents. I also used maple syrup instead of yacon, which worked fine.
These were VERY good and had good flavor, but mine turned out too moist. I baked them for about 14 minutes and they were starting to get too brown so I had to take them out. But the inside was really moist and I was looking for more of a moist crumb. Maybe I should add a little more coconut flour next time. Also, personally I found the yacon syrup a little strong/rich. I would probably go with the agave next time. Thanks for the recipe!
You're welcome!
hi elana,
is there a reason you choose to use yacon in this recipe instead of agave? i don't have yacon in my house. also, what are your thoughts about using expeller pressed safflower or canola oil? i haven't seen these in your recipes so i;m assuming there may be a reason :). thx!
Hi Michelle, please see my faq's for the answer to this and other questions.
I just made these for company and I did not have yacon so I used the little agave I had left. I also substituted dried blueberries for the currants. I think I might want to try grating the carrot even finer, but they were okay. I will follow the recipe more closely next time. Thanks.
As you can tell this is another comment on your carrot recipes. I loved the look of your carrot cake and these carrot muffins look just as good. Again, I wish I could taste them all!!