Coconut-Chocolate Chip Muffins from “Vegan For Everyone”

ABOUT THE RECIPE:

These plant-based, chocolate chip muffins are vegan and oil-free baked goodies filled with big coconut flavor. If you do not have chocolate chips on hand, you can use raisins, sweetened dried cranberries, dried cherries, or any variety of chopped nuts that your family likes. If you do not have dried coconut on hand, you can replace it with shredded carrots or zucchini! This totally tasty recipe is very versatile!

MAKES 6 MUFFINS

INGREDIENTS:

• 1½ cups whole wheat pastry flour (see note for flour options)
• ½ cup unsweetened shredded dried coconut
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup firmly packed vegan brown sugar or cane sugar
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons plain unsweetened or sweetened dairy-free milk
• 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• ½ cup vegan dark chocolate chips (see note)

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 6-cup standard muffin tin with paper liners. Put the flour, coconut, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a large bowl and stir with a dry whisk to combine. Add the sugar and stir with the whisk to combine. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and stir in the dairy-free milk and the lemon juice. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Mound the mixture into the prepared muffin cups. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the middle of a muffin comes out clean. Put the muffin tin on a wire rack and let cool at least 15 minutes before serving. Serve warm, at room temperature or cold. Covered tightly and stored in the refrigerator, leftover muffins will keep for about 3 days.

• Chef’s note: You may use regular whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour in this recipe. The muffins may be a bit more dense in texture, but delicious!
• Chef's note: If preferred, you can replace the chocolate chips with raisins, sweetened dried cranberries, or dried cherries. Alternately, you can replace the chocolate chips with chopped pecans, walnuts, or roasted cashews.