Healthy non-dairy muffins packed with carrots and topped with coconut whipped cream.
Updated: Nov 28, 2022
Spring is in the air (at least, here in Austin it is), and I’ve been getting non-stop carrots in my Farmhouse Delivery box. Which means one thing to us… carrot cake. This time, in muffin form.
I topped these with coconut whip lightly sweetened with maple syrup. It’s airy, yet creamy… much less indulgent than a more traditional cream cheese frosting, but it was exactly what I was in the mood for this time. With a dusting of cinnamon on top.
carrot muffins with coconut whip
Author: Jeanine Donofrio
Serves: makes 10 muffins
Ingredients
- 8 oz. carrots (chopped and peeled)
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup sugar
- ¼ cup applesauce
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ½ cup all purpose gluten free blend (or all purpose flour)
- ½ cup whole spelt flour (or oat or whole wheat flour)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
coconut whip:
- can of full fat coconut milk, refrigerated overnight
- a few tablespoons of maple syrup or sifted powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a muffin tin.
- Place carrots in food processor and pulse a few times until they are grated. Add in the egg, sugar, applesauce, vanilla and coconut oil and blend until combined.
- In a separate bowl, sift & mix together together all dry ingredients (flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt).
- Pour wet ingredients into the dry and gently fold together. Don't over mix.
- Scoop batter into the greased muffin tin - approx ⅓ cup batter per muffin.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes, use a toothpick to check for doneness. Don't over bake.
- Let cool completely before frosting.
- Make the coconut whip by carefully opening the coconut milk can and scooping off the thick solidified part on the top. Don't move or shake the can too much, it's important that the solid and liquid parts stay separate. (save the liquid part for another use). Whisk the solid part vigorously by hand (or in a mixer). Add maple syrup or powdered sugar to make it as sweet as you like. Spoon a dollop on each muffin and sprinkle with a dusting of cinnamon.
or for cream cheese frosting, see this recipe
Amazing recipe!!
Could you post the nutrients of this too? like proteins, carbs, fats, kcals , if possible ?
Hi, these look great, but are not gluten-free. Spelt has gluten.
Does coconut flour work in this recipe? I just bought a 4 lb bag!
Hi Lauren, no, I’m sorry coconut flour is never a 1:1 swap because it soaks up so much more moisture than other flours. Also, you will usually want to mix coconut flour with another flour because it’s too dry on it’s own. Check out these recipes that use coconut
flour: https://strong-nights.today/vegan-raspberry-coconut-scones/%3C/a%3E%3Cbr%3E https://strong-nights.today/gluten-free-chocolate-chip-cookies/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3Cp%3Ehope that helps!
Great recipe! Very moist and tastes great without the whipped cream on top. Thank you!
I made these muffins a few days ago and WOW. They are spectacular. These are seriously the most delicious carrot cake muffins (or any form of carrot cake) I’ve ever had. Thanks so much for the recipe!
you’re welcome, I’m so glad you liked them!
I did only the whip for the moment and it is delicious! But i was wondering what do you do with the coconut liquid? And is it oil or water? Thank you!
It’s mostly water (coconut flavored)… the easiest thing is to save it for smoothies, I sometimes incorporate it into coconut soups (with another full can).
wow these are really easy and super delish….when I first separated the coconut liquids and solids I was definitely skeptical BUT WOW it whips up by hand very quickly and nicely I cant wait for my family to get home from skiing to try these…bonus points for me and THANK YOU LOVE AND LEMONS I have tried a lot of your recipes and love them ALL you make me look like a superstar to all my friends and family…lol
So glad you liked these, thanks!!
How long will the whipped coconut topping stay firm; can it sit out for an hour or so or travel in a bowl to be used once the food arrives & is set out?
Hi Marti, I’m not exactly sure, it’s pretty light and airy – I’d try to keep it refrigerated and use it as quickly as possible. (Next time I make it I’ll give it a leaving-out/traveling test).
Is it possible to substitute the egg in order to make this a ‘vegan’ friendly recipe?
Thanks!
Hi Leona, do 1 tablespoon flax seed plus 3 tablespoons warm water (mix it in a little bowl first, until it gets gummy, then add it to the wet mix). Depending on what flour you use, they might fall apart a little more. (ie. if you’re using gluten free flours, they’ll be less cohesive).
Yes. This is exactly what I want to make with my 5-lb bag of carrots! And I still have yet to make “whipped cream” from coconut cream, but I’m excited for this since I’ve never liked the heavy cream cheese frosting that normally goes with carrot cake.
I hope you like it, it’s so light… and so easy to whip up in no time.
These are so cute! I love the coconut whip idea — I’ve seen this a few places lately and would love to try it out. So fun!
Spring still seems a long way away at least in Switzerland (it was lightly snowing yesterday) but the muffins look delicious and definitely bring a breeze of spring to the kitchen 🙂
At last! Someone with the insight to solve the prlmoeb!
The coconut whip sounds amazing. I love carrot cake – really want to try it with the coconut oil instead of dairy.
I love this combination – Jeanine, and I love that those cupcakes are so petite and pretty. We get loads of carrots in our CSA, but I’ve yet to bake with them – guess we know what I’ll be doing this weekend!
Made these muffins today but instead of cinnamon I substituted 1/2 tsp. of grated ginger and 1/2 tsp. of ground ginger. Left off the whipped topping this time as I made them for my work lunches. Next time. Tried one and they are delicious!
These look lovely! And, I am terribly jealous of your springtime and non-stop carrots. We are in winter for another 2 months! Alas. Love your photos, as always.
These look so fun! I have seen the idea for coconut whipped cream in a few places and it looks so interesting! We will have to try this 🙂
these look tasty…..
Carrot cake is my FAVORITE. I love that you used the coconut milk as the topping. I like a light whipped topping. This sounds perfect!
It’s our favorite too 🙂