carrot muffins (vegan, dairy free, no added sugar)
Since we’re in the season of getting together and gift-giving, I want to give you a better-for-you, better-for-them muffin recipe. A carrot muffin recipe and one that is free of any added sugar and full of vitamins and make-you-feel good ingredients.
This time of year, it feels like we’re inundated with foods that are high in fats and sugars, doesn’t it? And even though muffins appear innocent, many muffin recipes have plenty of both. Especially if you add the pat of butter – vegan or no.
Why am I so passionate about this? It’s because I’ve seen how much better I feel and how much better my body functions when I keep the added sugars and even fats on the lower side. I also know how impossible it feels eat healthier when it seems like everyone else is digging into those holiday treats. I’ll be sharing much more on sugar, it’s effects and what you can do about it in the coming weeks and am excited about something I have in the works for you!
So what’s the secret to keeping these carrot muffins on the healthy side? Dates, carrots and a bit of zucchini, plus using whole grain flour. They were a big hit with my children who can be picky, so I think it’s safe to say these will be a crowd-pleaser.
Make these for breakfast, for a snack for a brunch or for someone else whom you want to love with food that loves you back. XOXO
(Oh, and if you want a second no-added-sugar muffin recipe, you can grab my chocolate zucchini muffin recipe here.)
Carrot muffins free from added sugar and filled only plant-based ingredients. Perfect for breakfast, brunch or a snack.
- 1.5 cups whole grain spelt or ivory wheat flour
- 1.5 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 scooop 100% pure stevia
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp all spice
- 1/8 tsp powdered ginger
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 small just ripe or slightly underripe banana
- 1.5 cups almond coconut milk
- 1/2 cup date paste
- 1 flax egg (1 T ground flax + 2 T water)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup shredded zucchini
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
Preheat oven to 350 degree F. Grease a muffin very well (coconut oil is recommended).
Add the dry ingredients together in a large bowl and stir to thoroughly combine.
Add walnuts to a food processor and blend until the walnuts begin to release their oils (will start to become like a paste). Add remaining ingredients EXCEPT carrots, zucchini and apple cider vinegar and blend until well combined.
Pour into the bowl containing the dry ingredients and gently fold to mix.
Gently stir in the carrots and zucchini until thoroughly combined and then gently stir in the apple cider vinegar. Spoon into the prepared muffin tin - adding the batter almost to the top.
Place in the pre-heated oven and bake 27-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let them cool for 5-10 minutes in the tin, then loosen and move muffins to a cookie rack to finish cooling. Store in an air tight container.
RECIPE NOTES: If you can't find date paste, you can make your own by soaking 3/4 cup of Medjool dates in warm water for 1-2 hours and then blending until smooth. In this case, it's best to buy Medjool dates with the pits still in them and simply remove the pits just before using. * I highly recommend storing these muffins in the fridge if they aren't eaten after the first day. Without the added sugar plus high moisture content, they can turn moldy more quickly than you might expect. Experience is talking here.
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- Click here for my favorite food processor
- Date paste: I usually buy mine at a local Mediterranean/middle eastern store. If you don’t have one near by, you can make your own using Medjool dates (see Recipe Notes) Happily, Aldi has been carrying Medjool dates lately, but you can also find them here.
- I got my organic spelt flour (GMO free!) from the bulk section at Whole Foods, or you can find it here.
- Pure stevia: It’s critical to use 100% pure stevia with no additives or fillers (see this post). I get mine at Trader Joe’s, but try the NOW BetterStevia™ Organic Zero Calorie Powdered Sweetener — 1 oz brand here. Even though it appears pricey, a little goes a looong way, and my container lasted me for several years! This link will save you $5 on your order…comment or message me if you want to know which products I stock up on to get the free shipping
- I use Silk almond coconut milk. If you can’t find it, you could always mix half unsweetened almond milk and half full fat coconut milk.
