Oscar loves cakes and muffins and asks to make them all the time, so I try to make them a bit healthier when I can. We often cook with carrots, but this recipe from Super Healthy Kids is the first recipe I’ve seen using puree rather than just grated carrot, so I decided to give it a go. This recipe was already pretty healthy, but I substituted wholemeal flour for spelt and used apple sauce to reduce the sugar and oil.
A few days before I made these Frilly Pants posted on Facebook that she had sprinkled quinoa on top of some muffins, so I decided to give it a go as well. Surprisingly Oscar loved these “new seeds”, so I think they may become a regular feature. Hubby made the observation that they are the size and texture of sprinkles without the sugar, so maybe that’s why Oscar loved them so much. 🙂
Spelt Carrot Muffins with Quinoa Sprinkles
Print recipe
| Serves | 12 |
| Prep time | 15 minutes |
| Cook time | 20 minutes |
| Total time | 35 minutes |
| Allergy / Intolerance | Amines, Artificial Addititives, Artificial Colours, Dairy, Glutamates, Preservatives, Salicylates |
| Suitable for | Dairy / Lactose Free, RPAH Elimination Diet - Moderate Chemical, Salicylate Challenge |
| Meal type | Sweet Things |
| Misc | Serve Cold |
Ingredients
- 300g spelt flour
- 1/2 cup brown suagr
- 4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs
- 80ml sunflower oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 3 Large carrots
- 1 tablespoon white quinoa
- 1 tablespoon apple sauce (refer to note)
Optional
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Directions
| 1. | Cook the carrots then allow to cool slightly before placing into a food processor to purée. Measure out 1 cup to use in the muffins. Any leftover carrot can be stored in the freezer for use later. |
| 2. | Rinse the quinoa under cold water and set aside. |
| 3. | Preheat the oven to 180ºC and prepare two 6-hole muffin trays. |
| 4. | Sift together the dry ingredients into a large bowl. |
| 5. | In a separate bowl combine the wet ingredients and carrot. Add to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. |
| 6. | Spoon the mixture evenly between the muffin holes and sprinkle the quinoa on top, press it lightly into the batter. |
| 7. | Bake for approximately 20 minutes, until cooked through. |
| 8. | Allow to cool in the trays until cool enough to handle. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. |
Note
Moderate / High Salicylates, Low Glutamates, Low Amines
Cinnamon is very high in salicylates, but in such a small quantity per muffin the overall salicylate level in the muffins would not be high. If you are unsure as to whether it can be tolerated, it can be left out.
I have an apple sauce recipe on my other blog Just Simply Food, make it with Red or Golden Delicious apples for moderate salicylates. Pureed pear can also be used instead of the apple sauce.
