Scrumptious Carrot Quinoa Muffins with Coconut Whip
By: Sheri Wetherell
Published: March 8, 2014

Looking for a healthy muffin recipe for breakfast or brunch? These moist and naturally sweet Carrot Quinoa Muffins from Veggies by Candlelight are a healthy protein-packed alternative to carrot cake. The dollop of coconut whip on top makes them a decadent anytime treat!
 Carrot Quinoa Muffins with Coconut Whip
	Submitted to Foodista by Veggies by Candlelight
	Makes 12 muffins
	Muffins:
	1 c cooked quinoa
	1/2 c organic dark brown sugar
	3/4 c whole wheat pastry flour
	1/2 c spelt flour
	1/4 c kamut flour
	1 tsp baking soda
	1/2 tsp cinnamon
	1/8 tsp ground ginger
	1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
	1/8 tsp allspice
	1/2 tsp salt
	1/3 cup coconut oil, melted, but not hot (** or 1/2 c butter)
	1/2 c Chobani pineapple Greek yogurt
	1 tsp vanilla
	2 eggs, lightly beaten
	1 1/4 c loosely packed grated carrots (pulsed in the food processor until they were finely grated)
	1/4 c unsweetened coconut, toasted
	1/2 c walnuts, chopped & toasted
	Coconut Whip:
	1 can full fat coconut milk, refrigerated overnight
	1-2 tbsp powdered cane sugar
	1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
	Muffins:
	Preheat the oven to 350F. Grease or line a muffin tin with paper liners and set aside.
	In a large bowl, mix quinoa, sugar, flours, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and salt.
	In a smaller bowl, mix coconut oil, Greek yogurt, vanilla, and eggs.
	Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients .. then gently fold in the carrots, coconut, and walnuts .. until just mixed.
	Divide the batter evenly such that none of the muffin tins is filled more than 3/4 full (ish 16 standard size muffins)
	Bake 20-25 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.[br]
	Coconut Whip:
	Open the can of coconut milk and scoop the top layer of white, fatty goodness into a decent sized mixing bowl (discard the coconut water or save it for smoothies). Blend the chunks of coconut milk with a hand mixer on high speed for 15-20 seconds, just until the mixture turns to liquid. Sift in the powdered sugar (amount depends on how sweet you like it) and mix until combined. Add the vanilla extract and blend on high speed for 1-2 minutes, until light and creamy. Whipped cream is best served immideately, but can be stored in an air tight container for up to three days. It will harden in the fridge, so when ready to serve, simply blend with a hand mixer on high speed until creamy again.