Chocolate Cherry Hazelnut Paleo Muffins

Chocolate Cherry Hazelnut Paleo Muffins

These muffins are like a healthy version of Nutella with a cherry kicker – high in good fats and protein and low in sugar. Free from grains, gluten, dairy and refined sugar, you can feel good about snacking on these any time of the day or night!

Prep time: 15 minutes; cook time: 20 minutes; Total time: 35 minutes

Yield: 12 regular muffins

Ingredients

• 2 C hazelnut flour or meal (Bob’s Red Mill is the most readily available brand)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/8 tsp sea salt
• 3 large organic eggs
• 1/4 C honey or maple syrup
• 2 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
• 2 tbsp 100% fruit juice (cherry, cranberry cherry or cranberry raspberry)
• 1/2 C dried cherries with no added sugar
• 1/3 C cocoa powder
• 1/2 C hazelnuts, chopped
• optional but desired: 1/2 tsp cherry natural extract and 1 tsp hazelnut extract
• optional: 2/3 C vegan chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 330°
2. In a medium bowl, beat eggs
3. Add honey, melted coconut oil, juice and extracts if using and beat
4. In a large bowl add hazelnut flour, cocoa powder and baking powder and stir to combine
5. Add wet ingredients to dry and stir to combine
6. Mix in cherries and chocolate chips if using
7. Put batter into 12 muffin tins lined with paper or greased/sprayed
8. Top with chopped hazelnuts
9. Bake at 330° for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean
10. Cool on a wire rack; store on the counter for 2-3 days, in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months

Enjoy!