Chunky Monkey Muffins

Would you like to chat about something amazing?!  Okay, good-it's this muffin. I actually think it tastes more like a brownie when all is said and done.  When we made the dough, I was pretty convinced they were going to taste awful.  The dough was super thick and goopey!  I was SO wrong and am very glad I didn't alter the recipe!  One of the best parts- the only things that sweeten this are dates and bananas (and a few chocolate chips on top!)

Ingredients

2 ripe bananas
1  C dates*
1/2 C roasted creamy almond butter (use MaraNatha brand sunflower seed butter to make these nut-free)
1/2 C coconut flour
1/4 C coconut oil, liquified
1/4 C palm shortening
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 Tbsp vanilla

Here’s where you choose your own adventure, for the la st ingredient you must decide the flavor you’d like! To the mixture add one of the following:
2 Tbsp Tapioca Flour (vanilla based muffins)
2 Tbsp Cocoa Powder (chocolate based muffins) (THIS is what we used!)

Topping (Optional):

1/2 C dark chocolate chips
1/2 C chopped walnuts

Instructions

1. ♥ In a food processor, puree together the dates and bananas until smooth
2. ♥ Add remaining ingredients to food processor and pulse until a thick batter forms (scrape sides to fully incorporate but do not over blend)
3. ♥ Spoon into lined muffin tin, filling cups 2/3 full
4. ♥ Toss topping ingredients together in small bowl, sprinkle on top of each muffin and press gently to get them to “stick”
5. ♥ Bake at 350 degrees for 16 – 18 minutes

*We prefer fresh medjool dates (usually found in the refrigerated produce section of the grocery store). We pit them ourselves and use them directly. If you are unable to find them (or find the cost too prohibitive) you can acquire a similar texture by re-hydrating dehydrated dates. Simply cover with boiling water for ten minutes, drain and use as instructed.

*I buy a huge bag of dates at Costco for around $5 and then soften them with the method above.  It works great.  I am going to try my Lara Bar recipe using this softening method.  Medjool dates are very expensive (IMO)

The above recipe is from the Paleo Parents blog.  Elliot got their book, "Eat Like a Dinosaur" for her birthday and we went to the book signing last weekend.  Do you know how fun it is for your kid to get to meet the author AND illustrator of a book they have?  OH, and meet other kids that eat like we do!?  She really soaked it all up.   She loves looking for recipes she wants to try. She helped prepare most of the muffins today.