spiced apple muffins : gluten-free & vegan

These are some of the goodies that are coming out of our oven lately. I don’t think there’s anything more comforting than having a  delicious batch of muffins in the oven (or something just as satisfying – although I don’t know what? ) as a hardy and healthy snack in these cooler (cozier) months. That scent of apples and spices slowly filling the house is unbearable…. making your stomach ache and mouth water at the thought of the deliciousness that awaits…

As you can tell, we like muffins around here. (or at least me and my daughter does – the husband – not  And why not? They’re healthier, especially these with no cholesterol, good fats, filled with fibre and nutrients. They’re easy to combine, and fun to dopple into the muffin pans (yes, dopple – did I just make up a word?) my little 4 year old always likes to help with that. And best of all, they’re quick to bake – therefore, making them have a quick turn-around-time to enjoy.

Spiced Apple Muffins

{gluten-free and vegan recipe}

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Prep the muffin tins. I suggest using muffin papers (baking cups), otherwise you can grease it.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of coconut flour
• 1/4 cup of buckwheat flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 cup of organic raw or brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon medium grind sea salt (if you use fine, use 1/4 teaspoon)
• 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder OR 2 tsp baking soda with 3 tsp apple cider vinegar (pour the apple cider over the baking soda – mix it and let it bubble up and add to the mix)
• 2 tbsp of ground flax + 4 tbsp of warm water, mix and let stand for 2 minutes (this is a great all-natural substitute for 2 eggs or 2 teaspoons of egg replacer – for vegans or for people with sensitivity to the egg replacer or if you just don’t have eggs around ;)
• 1/3 cup of coconut oil (melted)
• 1/2 cup of apple sauce (or 1 apple peeled and cooked in 1/4 cup of water, mushed with a fork or blended)
• 3/4 cup of finely chopped apples (wash, and core the apples first, then cut them into small pieces)

Directions : Mix all ingredients until well blended, then stir in the apples. Let it sit for a few minutes so the binding ingredients absorb, mix again and scoop into a muffin pan and bake for about 25 minutes or until the tops are lightly browned and a toothpick comes out clean when poked in the middle of the muffin.

Allow to cool slightly and enjoy with a warm cup of vanilla flavoured almond milk with a dash of cinnamon stirred in – yum! And don’t forget to include the kids to help you ;)