Carrot Cake Muffins

These incredibly moist muffins are a wheat free, dairy free and sugar free alternative that are as healthy as they are yummy!

Ingredients

1 cup (250 mL) spelt flour
1 cup (250 mL) brown rice flour
2 tsp (10 mL) baking soda
2 tsp (10 mL) cinnamon
1 tsp (5 mL) nutmeg
1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
1/2 tsp (2 mL) stevia
1/2 cup (125 mL) raw honey
2 cups (500 mL) grated carrots
1/2 cup (125 mL) chopped pecans
1/2 cup (125 mL) raisins
1/2 cup (125 mL) shredded coconut
3 large eggs
1/2 cup (125 mL) apple sauce
1/2 cup (125 mL) extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp (10 mL) vanilla
1 cup (250 mL) chopped pineapple

For the topping:

Organic cream cheese Frosting:
8oz (225 gram) organic cream cheese
zest of 1/2 lemon or orange
2 tsp (10 mL) of lemon or orange juice
2 Tb (30 mL) agave nectar
1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla extract

Or Use

Dairy Free Cashew Date Frosting:
1 1/2 cup (375 mL) cashews
1/2 cup (125 mL) unsweetened shredded coconut
1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla
9 medjool dates
2 Tbsp (10 mL) ground flaxseed

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.

2. In a bowl sift together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, stevia and salt.

3. Add shredded carrots and pecans to flour mixture, along with raisins and coconut and toss well.

4. In larger bowl whisk together eggs, applesauce, olive oil, vanilla and honey. Stir chopped pineapple into egg mixture and add to flour mixture, stirring until combined well.

5. Line muffin tin with paper baking cups and divide batter among them.

6. Bake in the middle of oven until puffed and toothpick tester comes out clean.  Approximately 20 to 25 minutes.  Let cool.  Frost and serve.

7. For the Cream Cheese Frosting use an electric mixer on medium speed and whip it for 2-3 minutes until completely smooth.  Add zest, juice and agave nectar.  Beat until light and fluffy.

8. For the Dairy Free Cashew Date Frosting, process cashews and vanilla in a blender with enough water for the blender to work. When the mixture is smooth, add the dates one at a time until well blended.  Stir in the coconut and flaxseed until blended.

Makes: 12 Muffins

Note: If dates are too hard try soaking them in water until softened.

Whenever possible choose organic, local ingredients and aluminum free baking soda.

Stevia can be purchased as a powder, a liquid, or crushed leaves. Varying degrees of sweetness will occur between different forms and companies.

Nutritional Information Per Serving