Got the Blues? "Beet" 'Em! Beet, Apple, and Walnut Muffins are absolutely scrumptious and have many nutritional benefits that will keep the "blues" away. Did you know that beets are great for uplifting your mind, body, and mood?
The beetroot is your liver's friend. The beet helps reduce liver bile and clean out toxins, stress, and bile. This tremendously supports the liver and provides more energy for your body, but when the liver is healthy, it also has an anti-depressant effect on the brain. This means that a healthy liver positively impacts our mood too! Beets also contain significant amounts of magnesium, and this mineral is known for its superhero ability to soothe and relax nerves.
I'm currently visiting my family in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and these muffins were a baking project that my amazing mom and I tackled after the recent passing of my precious 100-year-YOUNG grandfather. We miss his presence in the house, and baking together while laughing and crying over memories is a beautifully cathartic mother and daughter activity. These muffins are magical, and gramps would have LOVED eating them with his morning coffee.
Lately, I have been in the baking mood (more than usual). My mom has a gorgeous big kitchen, and with cold Wisconsin winter weather outside, I am obsessed with heating the kitchen with toasty baked goods that I immediately stuff into my mouth. When there’s snow outside, it seems appropriate to wear cozy pjs and bake all day while watching the snow flurries, squirrel antics, and wildlife outside my mom’s big kitchen windows.
When baking, I enjoy adding veggies and fruits to baked goods because they add natural sweetness, delicious moisture and delightful texture. These healthy muffins, however, are posers in the dessert category as they could be a hearty on-the-go breakfast muffin or a healthy dessert alternative.
For extra yumminess, devour Beet, Apple, and Walnut Muffins with a warm cinnamon latte or spiced tea.
Beet, Apple and Walnut Breakfast Muffins Recipe
INGREDIENTS
2 eggs
1 egg white
1/2 cup apple or peach butter
2 tbsp coconut oil
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 small-medium raw beet, peeled and grated
1 apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
1/2 cup craisins or raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 ½ cup gluten-free all purpose flour
1/2 cup almond flour
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 1/2 tbsp ground cinnamon
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1tbsp wheat germ sprinkled on top (optional)
Just Beet It Tips
If on a vegan diet, use egg substitute in place of eggs.
Gluten-free all-purpose flour works well in place of regular flour. Trader Joe's has a fabulous inexpensive GF all-purpose flour.
For a sugar-free muffin eliminate brown sugar or add a dash of natural Stevia. These muffins still taste amazing with the natural sweetness from beets and apples.
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly oil 18 muffin cups or line with muffin papers.
2. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, egg whites, apple/peach butter, coconut oil, and vanilla extract.
3. In a large bowl, stir together flours, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir in beet, apple, walnuts, and craisins or raisins. Stir in apple butter wet mixture until dry ingredients are moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-fourths full.
4. Optional: In a small bowl, combine wheat germ and an extra tsp each of cinnamon and sugar to sprinkle over muffin tops.
5. Bake about 14-15 minutes, or until tops are golden and spring back when lightly pressed. Let cool about 5 minutes.
Recipe inspired from allrecipes carrot muffins.
STILL HUNGRY?
