coconut cranberry muffins

The first thing when I think of when I hear the word “coconut” is a bit unconventional. In fact, it’s not even appetizing in the last bit. But since I tell you everything, I just have to tell this this.

I think of… shampoo.

Yup — shampoo. And I am certain you have a funny taste in your mouth now. I wish I could say I’m sorry, but I’m not.

My mother is a woman of many trades. She is a realtor, as well as a beautician, and I had a hair salon in my basement growing up.  We had a swivel chair, a shampoo chair, and probably too many scissors to legally leave lying around little children. I could bring up some great shots of my sister’s yearbook photo one year after she took the scissors to her bangs. But that’s another story for a different day.

Today, it’s about the coconut.

I used to get so mad at my mom growing up because she wouldn’t let us use “crap shampoo”. This angered me for two reasons. Reason number one: I wasn’t allowed to use the word “crap” until I left for college (I wish I were joking) and she was using it all nonchalantly in such a craptastic way. Reason number two: All I wanted was some Herbal Essence shampoo and conditioner. But noooooo, my mom wouldn’t let me. She made me use high quality products (Paul Mitchell). The shampoo? It smelled like coconut. Thanks a crap-ton, Mom.

Now, I know better. I know the crazy healing magical powers of the coconut. I’m pretty sure the coconut could cure all of the world’s problems if we tried. The next time I spend too much money on something I don’t need, I’m just going to entice the Husband with some coconut. No? Crap. A girl can dream, right?

 
Coconut Cranberry Muffins (makes 12 huge muffins)

• 1 and 1/4 cups sweet sorghum flour *
• 3/4 cup gluten free all purpose flour *
• 1 tsp. xanthan gum
• 1 and 1/3 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup almond “buttermilk” (1 cup almond milk mixed with 1 tbsp. lemon juice)
• 2 flax eggs (2 tbsp. ground flax + 6 tbsp. warm water — let sit for 5 minutes)
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/4 cup agave nectar **
• 2 tbsp. unsweetened applesauce
• 2 tbsp. coconut oil
• 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, plus more for garnishing
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

*You can substitute the two flours for an 2 cups GF all purpose flour OR 2 cups regular flour

** If you like a sweeter tasting muffin, increase this amount to 1/3 or 1/2 cup agave

Directions: Begin by preparing your flax eggs. Measure out 2 tbsp. of ground flax and combine with 6 tbsp. warm water and allow to sit for approximately five minutes. This will allow the flax to take on an egg-like consistency. Next, make your “buttermilk” by combining one cup almond milk with 1 tbsp. lemon juice. Allow this mixture to sit for 5 minutes along with your flax egg.

Meanwhile, measure and mix your dry ingredients (flours, baking soda, salt, xanthan gum, and coconut) and place in a large mixing bowl. Add your wet ingredients (vanilla, flax eggs, “buttermilk”, and agave) and whisk until smooth. Gently fold in your cranberries.

Spray a muffin tin (12 count) with cooking spray, and spoon 12 equal sized amounts of batter into the tin. We’re all about the muffin tops here, so fill those babies up! There’s no such thing as “fill up half way” in my book when it comes to muffin batter. Sprinkle more coconut onto the top of your batter.

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 18-20 minutes, or until the tops are a golden brown color.

I promise you these taste better than that shampoo smelled. I’m pretty sure they taste better than that shampoo tastes too. But I’m not going to promise you anything because there’s no way I’m eating shampoo.

  I’m glad these didn’t turn out to be crappy because I would have hated to waste so much coconut at once.

Can you tell I’m loving the fact that I can use the word crap without my mom yelling at me?  I am a married woman, after all.

A married woman who is praising the Lord her husband doesn’t like coconut. Because if he ate all of these, crap would hit the ceiling.

Question: What’s your favorite way to use coconut? OR What was an “off limits” word in your house growing up?

Tagged as: baking, coconut, coconut cranberry muffins, cranberries, crap, muffins, shampoo, special diet