Gluten Free Coconut Carrot Muffins with Candied Walnuts

The words “gluten free” may drive many people away from a recipe. Even I tend to be nervous cooking with foreign flours. We think it will be a dried out rock, that has no resemblance to gluten baked goods. Before you turn your back, give this one a try. These muffins turned out more moist and full of flavor than I would have ever imagined; you would not even know it was gluten free. Cook for one occasion, or in bulk to freeze for the winter months and enjoy.

What You’ll Need:

• 2/3 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1/2 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• pinch of allspice, clove and nutmeg
• dash of cinnamon

• 1/2 cup organic grated carrot
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
• 2 T fresh grated ginger
• 4 farm fresh eggs
• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup raw milk (can be substituted for coconut milk)

for Candied Walnuts

• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 3 tsp raw sugar
• 2 T grass fed butter
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

Note: You may need to add maple syrup if walnuts are not sticky enough. This will help it stick and harden to the muffin.  

What to Do:

1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. In a large bowl beat eggs. Add carrot, melted coconut oil, ginger, maple syrup, vanilla, and milk. (Make sure your oil is not hot or it will cook the egg)
3. In a smaller bowl combine coconut flour, coconut flakes, salt, baking soda, ground ginger, and spices.
4. Add the dry ingredients from the small bowl into the larger bowl with the wet ingredients. Mix well until everything is well incorporated. Be careful, your coconut oil may start to harden. Don’t worry, you can bring the mixture next to a fire or put in the oven for a minute to allow it to melt again.
5. At this point your mixture should be pretty wet. You want it this way; it will help keep your muffins moist in the end.
6. Oil your muffin pan with coconut oil.
7. Pour mixture into the muffin cups about 3/4 full.
8. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes.
9. While muffins are baking, prep your candied walnuts.
10. Melt butter in a small saucepan on low heat. Add chopped walnuts and coat in butter. Stir in sugar and cinnamon until coated.
11. When muffins are done, top with walnut mixture. If the walnuts don’t stick, add about a tablespoon of maple syrup.
12. Serve warm.

Makes 12 large muffins