Carrot And Date Muffins

I almost forgot about these healthy little treats. 

I made them last month for the seniors at our local Seniors Center and they were a big hit. 

Whip these up if you want something healthy for breakfast or for an after school/after work snack. 

I adapted the recipe from Alive Magazine December 2013 edition.

The nutritional info per muffin (recipe makes 12), is:

140 calories, 16 carbs, 7 fat, and 3 protein. 

Plus....they are really tasty and only take 2 seconds to make. Which never hurts, right?

Carrot and Date Muffins

(Adapted From Alive Magazine, December 2013)

Ingredients

1 cup whole dates

1/2 cup water

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup carrot, grated

3 eggs

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut, shredded

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp cinnamon

pinch salt

1 apple, shredded

Directions

Preheat oven to 350. Line 12 cup muffin tin with paper cups (or 24 mini muffins). 

In a small saucepan, simmer dates with the 1/2 cup of water until dates are very tender. 

When tender, place in food processor or blender. 

Add in vanilla and process until smooth.

Pour puree into a medium mixing bowl, beat date puree with carrots and eggs. Gradually beat in the coconut oil.

In another bowl, whisk together flour, coconut, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. 

Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just mixed.

Stir in the apples - just until evenly distributed, don't over mix.

Scoop evenly into the 12 muffin cups (or 24 mini muffins). 

Bake at 350 for approx 20 minutes - toothpick inserted near center should come out clean. (Time will be a little less for the mini muffins - check at 12 minutes and go from there.)

Remove from oven and let cool about 10 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack to cool completely. 

There is no processed sugar in these, the only sweetener is the dates, plus only 1/4 cup of oil.

And, you know what, you'd never know it. 

Let's not forget about the carrots and apple goodness too! 

P.S. - These freeze really well and taste just as good reheated for a few seconds in the microwave. 

Be sure to visit these great blogs for tons more links - Adorned From Above, Dizzy Busy & Hungry,