Recipes

Car-apple mini muffins

These are a favourite in our house - the strained carrots make them moist and easy to handle for little fingers. With 2 grams of fibre per mini-muffin and zero refined sugar...they make a healthy snack for hungry Moms and Dads too! 

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups whole-grain spelt flour
• 1/2 cup whole oat flour
• 1/4 cup finely ground flaxseeds (or flaxseed meal)
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 eggs or egg substitute
• 1/3 cup liquid honey (or maple syrup or Sucanat)
• 1/2 cup organic oil (sunflower or coconut) or butter
• 6 containers of Healthy Sprouts strained carrots (300 mL)
• 1 cup coarsely grated apple (with skin)
• 1 tsp natural liquid vanilla (optional)

1. Sift (don't stir) the first six dry ingredients in a large bowl.

2. Prepare egg substitute (if using) or beat eggs in medium bowl. Add honey, maple syrup, or sugar, oil, strained carrots, apple and vanilla. Note: squeeze excess liquid from the grated apple before adding. Stir and let mixture stand for 5 minutes.

3. Add liquid ingredients to dry all at once. Mix just until moistened.

4. Fill 24 lined mini-muffin tins. Pile them high without packing the batter down. Bake at 350 F for 18 minutes. Muffins are ready if a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Remove to wire rack to cool.

Notes:

• Spelt is a type of wheat. It is more nutritious than wheat in terms of its amino acid profile and protein content. Some people can digest spelt better than wheat. It is not gluten-free.
• Do not offer spelt before your baby is at least 12 months old.
• All grains should be introduced cautiously, and you should monitor closely for any potential allergic reactions.
• Gluten-free flour may be substituted for spelt, wheat, and/or oats.
• There are some brands of gluten-free oats available on the market.
• Sucanat: evaporated, dried sugar-cane juice.
• Commercial egg substitute is available - or make your own.
• Crushed, drained pineapple is a good substitute for apple.
• Drained, grated zucchini is a good substitute for carrot.
• Do not use honey before 12 months of age.