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Home » Dark Chocolate Cherry Walnut Muffins

Dark Chocolate Cherry Walnut Muffins

By Kristina LaRue, RDN 10 Comments

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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.

Dark Chocolate Cherry Walnut Muffins
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

Dark Chocolate Cherry Walnut Muffins-6894

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.

Dark Chocolate Cherry Walnut Muffins-6881

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!

Dark Chocolate Cherry Walnut Muffins-6902

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
Print

Dark Chocolate Cherry Walnut Muffins


  • 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.


Scale

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

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.

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

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Kristina LaRue, RDN

Hi I’m Kristina LaRue, RD (registered dietitian nutritionist), Peloton addict and mama to two active and hungry boys. On Love & Zest, you’ll find healthy-ish recipes that fuel the whole family. 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!

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Filed Under: bakery, breakfast, chocolate, muffins, snacks, sweets Tagged With: coconut oil, dark chocolate, dried tart cherries, gluten free, nutrition

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Comments

  1. plasterer bristol says

    February 19, 2016 at 6:45 am

    this sounds good. Something new to try as well. thanks for sharing this recipe.

    Simon

    Reply
  2. emily (a nutritionist eats) says

    July 16, 2014 at 11:44 am

    I love healthy muffins that don’t taste like they are! Cherry + Chocolate…what a delicious combination!

    Reply
    • Kristina LaRue says

      July 16, 2014 at 1:14 pm

      ah, thanks and me too 🙂 hope your day is wonderful!

      Reply
  3. Christine at Cook the Story says

    July 3, 2014 at 10:13 am

    These would be awesome with a cup of coffee!

    Reply
    • Kristina LaRue says

      July 7, 2014 at 5:57 pm

      You say coffee, I’m in!

      Reply
  4. Emily @ Zen & Spice says

    July 2, 2014 at 2:16 pm

    Hahaha love the comment about the baking sheet… I feel like that always happens to me when I’m trying to bake. All of our baking pans like to fall out of the drawer from behind and get stuck underneath the oven. So fun!

    These look really tasty!

    Reply
    • Kristina LaRue says

      July 3, 2014 at 8:52 am

      lol! it’s the first it’s happened to me and it’s a new oven so I thought it was broken…

      Reply

Trackbacks

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Thanks for stopping by Love & Zest. I’m Kristina LaRue, RDN (registered dietitian nutritionist), Peloton addict and mama to two active and hungry boys. Here on L&Z, I share healthy-ish recipes that fuel the whole family. I'm a fan of adding veggies to everything and recipes that make mom life easier.
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