Dark Chocolate Cherry Walnut Muffins

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Disclosure: I’m partnering with the Cherry Marketing Institute for an endorsement of the 7 Day Tart Cherry Juice Challenge. This blog post is sponsored by the Cherry Marketing Institute. All opinions are my own.

I woke up yesterday morning, early and bright eyed. I love when that happens. I did some reading and relaxing and felt compelled to bake. I’ve been dreaming of making muffins all last week but the oven drawer wasn’t opening because a baking sheet was stuck. #annoying

Luckily Eric was able to work some magic and dislodge the sheet so I could get my muffin tin back! I have a really yummy (and healthy) base muffin recipe that I use and mix it up with add-ins.

When these babies were out of the oven, I was pretty excited. The combo of melty dark chocolate, dried tart cherries, and nutty walnuts is something to brag about. For realz.

These muffins are packed with ingredients you can feel good about– made with coconut oil, gluten-free flour, kefir, and coconut milk! I packed up a box for Eric to take to work and he said the ladies were asking, “so are these healthy??”… and why yes they are.. I know they taste so indulgent.

Each muffin is only 168 calories and definitely lower in sugar than most bakery treats! They also are filled with dried tart cherries that give an anti-inflammatory benefit. Yippee!

As part of the 7 Day Tart Cherry Juice Challenge, I wanted to share some of the ways in which I incorporated tart cherries into my training regime. You may have seen some of these ideas if you follow my Instagram feed.

• Tart Cherry Yogurt
• Tart Cherry Limeade
• Apple & Kale Smoothie
• Rise & Shine Carrot Juice
• Kale Smoothie (another one… yes, I love kale)
• straight shot— 2 ounces concentrate or 8 ounces juice

Dark Chocolate Cherry Walnut Muffins

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• Author: Kristina LaRue
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Yield: 18 1x

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Description

Melty chocolate, sweet tart cherries, nutty walnut muffin for only 168 calories. Low sugar and gluten free too! You just won’t believe they could be healthy.

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Scale 1x2x3x

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cup gluten free all purpose flour
• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 egg
• 1 cup plain kefir
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup vanilla coconut milk
• 1 cup dried tart cherries
• 1/2 cup walnuts
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg, kefir, brown sugar, coconut oil, vanilla extract, and coconut milk.
4. Pour liquid mixture into flour mixture and stir to incorporate.
5. Fold in dried tart cherries, walnuts, and chocolate chips.
6. Line muffin tin with muffin liners or spray with cooking spray.
7. Spoon muffin batter into muffin cups about 3/4 of the way full.
8. Bake for 15 minutes and allow to cool for 5 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.

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Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 muffin
• Calories: 168
• Sugar: 9g
• Sodium: 168mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 9g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 13g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 13mg

Kristina LaRue, RD, CSSD

Hi I’m Kristina LaRue, registered dietitian and millennial mom of two active and hungry boys. Here on Love & Zest, you’ll find (mostly) healthy recipes to fuel the whole family and real life stories of modern motherhood. I’m all about veggie-filled breakfast meal prep recipes, healthier sweets, and easy weeknight dinners made in the Instant Pot or sheet pan.

Did you make one of my recipes?? Leave a review in the comments and tag @loveandzest #loveandzest on Instagram!

If you’re a modern mama– I’d love for you to join my Facebook group A Modern Motherhood Collective!

https://loveandzest.com