Gluten-Free + Dairy-Free Cherry-Almond Muffin Recipe
I have something fun planned for today. First, a wonderful gluten-free, casein-free, refined sugar-free muffin recipe to share that is full of healthy ingredients. No starches, no xanthan gum, just a few whole food ingredients. The recipe isn't mine though, it comes from another lovely food blogger, Kelly of The Spunky Coconut! And second, I'm giving away a free copy of her cookbook, The Spunky Coconut Cookbook (a $30 value). Read on to learn how to enter the drawing.
Kelly's cookbook contains 115 Gluten-Free, Casein-Free, and Sugar-Free recipes with 65 color photos. There are 100 vegetarian recipes and 30+ raw inspired recipes. She does use eggs in many of her baked treats though. But there are still plenty of egg-free recipes for those with sensitivities or who are vegan.
As the name of her book and blog suggest, many of her delicious recipes involve coconut; whether it is coconut milk, coconut oil, or shredded coconut. Here is a taste of a few of her recipes: Butternut Soufflé, Chicken Meatballs, Creamy Pea Soup, Caesar Salad, Funa (fake tuna salad), Chocolate Chip Bars, Vanilla Toffee Cake, Pumpkin Ice Cream, Mango Lemon Sorbet, Banana Bread (grain-free), Quinoa Almond Muffins, Creamy Bean Dip, and much much more!!!
You can view a wide variety of sample recipes on Kelly's blog. This high protein, low sugar Vanilla White Bean Cake with Chocolate Frosting is my favorite!
Kelly began to study nutrition in Maryland when her girls were very young. Her daughter Ashley was a baby, and daughter Zoe was a toddler at that time. Both girls were not well. In order to help them, her naturopathic doctor worked with them to radically change their diet (by removing gluten, casein, and sugar). She and her husband soon realized that their own health problems could be resolved as well. It was very eye-opening to see how many kinds of issues could be treated. So, after years of research and experimentation, Kelly has created recipes so similar to the old ones that nobody feels deprived. Together, through diet and biomedical treatments, their family is overcoming celiac disease, gluten-intolerance, ADD, and autism with great success.
Cherry Almond Muffins (gluten-free + dairy-free)
Enjoy this very simple and nutritious gluten-free and dairy-free muffin recipe with a cup of warm herbal tea for an afternoon snack. The cherries can be replaced with fresh or frozen blueberries if desired. Other delicious additions are chopped pecans, chopped dark chocolate, or sliced almonds.
This muffin recipe is a slightly adapted version from The Spunky Coconut Cookbook. The original recipes calls for using 2 cups of blueberries or cherries, and a ½ cup of oil. I've reduced both, but feel free to use the original recipe!
Dry Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
Other Ingredients
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners.
- Whisk together the dry ingredients, set aside.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl beat wet ingredients together. Add dry ingredients on top of the wet mixture and beat together with an electric mixer. Fold in berries or cherries.
- Spoon batter into prepared muffin pan. Bake for approximately 25 to 30 minutes.
- Cool on a wire rack.
Use this recipe in our Meal Planner
About the Author
Ali Segersten
Alissa Segersten holds a Bachelor's of Science in Nutrition from Bastyr University and a Master’s of Science in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine from the University of Western States. She is a Functional Nutritionist, the mother of five children, a whole foods cooking instructor, professional recipe developer, and cookbook author. She is passionate about helping others find a diet that will truly nourish them. Alissa is the author of two very popular gluten-free, whole foods cookbooks and guidebooks: The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook and Nourishing Meals. She is also the co-author of The Elimination Diet book. Alissa is the founder and owner of Nourishing Meals®.Nourishing Meals Newsletter
Email updates.
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Comments
Coconut is so good for you. Coming from Hawaii we eat it fresh/raw and in our cooking. I truly enjoy your recipes.
Mahalo Nui!
Anne D.
Oh exciting!!! I SO want to give up sugar, but struggle with it :) And gluten? As a vegan, how can you not eat seitan! I'm interested in finding out :)
~ Brandie H
I am new to the world of baking and totally new to GF baking. My 7 month old can't tolerate casein and I am still nursing. I was looking for GF and casein free recipes and found your website. I baked the banana Teff bread and instantly fell in love with it. Can't wait to try these muffins out..you guys are doing an awesome job with the recipes!
Ali, thanks so much for these recipes in your blog and book! They are delicious, and have been essential in helping me heal from a bad outbreak of psoriasis I had. I used your recipes while I cut out wheat, sugar, and dairy for a couple of months and now my skin is all clear now! -Jennifer D.
I just found your blog and am loving it!! I am making your cranberry sauce today!!! That book sound really good!!!!
thanks for sharing another great sounding recipe. Every one of your recipes I have tried so far has been awesom. I love coconut oil, milk, meat shredded and flakes
and love to learn new ways to incorparate into loved recipes. i.e. the tart cherry pie made today for my dairy free kids subbing coconut oil for butter, arrowroot for cornstarch.
Turned out awesome. This is for the sake of my autism kiddo. I also have a couple others that have dairy allergies that can now eat that pie with no worries:) Wasn't brave enough yet to sub the agave for the sugar but will be doing that in the morning with the cranberries:} Thank you for your flow of ideas. They are very motivating and helpful.
I am grateful for life, both now and eternal being bought for me by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.What a joy! I'm also grateful for my husband of 37 yrs, 8 children, 2 daughters in law and five grandchildren. Friends that have spurred me on to developing healthier dietary habits for my family and a website like this that teaches. I feel like I'm taking a cooking class every time i open a new email. Thanks a mil & God bless. Polly Raichert
i would love the cookbook as well, thanks!
I love coconut and started experimenting with coconut flour. I am grateful for my womderful family!
Hi Ali-
Hmmm...there is so much that I am grateful for. Most importantly, for my husband and his persistant patience and my sons for their unconditional love that they share with me as well as with others.
Also for your site, Karina's Kitchen and now the Spunky Coconut (I love that name!). Thanks so much for sharing this new site with us-plus I plan on making the muffins this Friday-and I also enjoy reading about your family escapades.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
Love & Peace-Lisa, CO
This would be a great addition to my cook book library YUM ;)
I am thankful for finding this blog! I am dealing with my daughter's food sensitivities and am amazed and pleased with all the delicious alternatives out there!
we have loved every thing we have cooked from your website and like coconut.
Natasha and Sue Wozniak
As always, these sound so good. I can't wait to try them. After making 3 of your recipes over the last 3 days for our Thanksgiving menu, I can honestly say I am really thankful for you today. Thanks from the bottom of my heart for posting all of these wonderful recipes. They've brought a great deal of joy!
I also shared this post on Facebook... :)
Happy Thanksgiving!
Jennifer M.
This cookbook is exactly what I have been looking for. I am gluten, dairy, and sugar free but would love some awesome treats in my life. I am thankful for all the wonderful people that are trying to make cooking exciting and delicious so I don't feel like I am living 'without'.
That cookbook looks awesome. It definite next cookbook purchase.
I am grateful for having the ability to create delicious and nuturious meals for my family.
I wish to thank-you Ali as well. I have tried so many of your recipes that your book is looking well worn. Everyday I am excited to get home and try something new. I always new I had a passion for cooking but now I am truly enjoying not only cooking it but eating it too!
I am grateful for all the amazing Thanksgiving recipes on this and other GF/CF blogs. My allergies are so much better! I am also grateful that I am finding the process of switching over to GF/CF a great adventure!
I am grateful for this blog! I've only recently gone gluten-free, after years of being vegan and really appreciate your WHOLE food GF recipes. Thank you so much! You're a star!
I hope I'm the winner of The Spunky Coconut Book. I would LOVE it.
yay!!!
Amy
This cookbook would be amazing!!! I just recently found that I am allergic to to eggs, dairy, wheat, soy, and cane sugar!! Not to mention bananas, cranberries, and so many other things I love! Can I just say thank you! Your blog has really helped me in so many ways. It's comforting to know that I can still be magical in the kitchen... I just have to learn a new way around it.
This cookbook would be amazing!!! I just recently found that I am allergic to to eggs, dairy, wheat, soy, and cane sugar!! Not to mention bananas, cranberries, and so many other things I love! Can I just say thank you! Your blog has really helped me in so many ways. It's comforting to know that I can still be magical in the kitchen... I just have to learn a new way around it.
I'm grateful for my ability to cook... especially to experiment with trying different recipes. I have never actually used coconut flour, but I would LOVE to use your cookbook as a start!
I'm grateful for my ability to cook... especially to experiment with trying different recipes. I have never actually used coconut flour, but I would LOVE to use your cookbook as a start!
This looks absolutely amazing! I'd love to have the cookbook :)
Oh! I would LOVE to receive that book!
I just found your website because of the gluten free progressive dinner - what a GREAT idea - Thank you! The muffins look so yummy - I can't wait to make them and I would love to win the cookbook.
Thank you Ali for all you do. I love receiving your updates and just enjoyed a bowl of your Healing Cabbage soup. It has become my favorite next to Lilly's Lemongrass soup the last few months. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and thank you for giveaway.-S Brooks
Until I found your blog, I was really feeling deprived. Then I noticed how often your posts include coconut. Now I love ALL THINGS COCONUT! Thanks for the opportunity to win this cookbook.
Katie A
What an awesome cookbook. Would be an excellent addition to the endless amount of recipes I have on my "To Make" List. Many of those from this blog.
Thank you for continuing to inspire us all...
I am grateful to find people who are cooking around the same difficulties I have (gluten and sugar), because it makes me feel like I'm not alone, not crazy, and it gives me new ideas to try. Thanks!
Hi Ali,
Thank you for all of the lovely Thanksgiving recipes and your enthusiastic and giving spirit. I am truly thankful to have found your cookbook and now to be a part of your weekly recipe posts.
Happy Thanksgiving!
-Tiffany
Yes, an entry please! Been drooling over this cookbook for a while now. ;)
Love all your great recipes! It's so nice to see recipes that are gluten PLUS dairy free. Thanks for all the hard work.
Sharon M.
I would LOVE a copy of Spunky Coconut!
In the spirit of thanks-giving, I am grateful that people like you and Tom are out there sharing your skills, educating folks like us that need help finding and preparing food that will make us feel good, and taste fantastic at the same time. And I am grateful that we have access to foods like coconut (and many others), even though they grow far far away. We are truly lucky!
How awesome, Ali! Thanks for putting up this drawing, please add me in. I need all the help that I can get.
This year I am thankful for my kids, my job and those that came before me. I was one of those that thought I'd never have kids. Given my background I thought that I just wouldnt make a good parent.
Four years ago despite the fact that I was on a crazy amount of birth control, Sasha entered our life. He's been both a great joy and a challenge. So much so that I didnt think I can "do" another kid.
Yet here we are again. Four months ago, Sofia entered our life with a new set challenges of her own. Since formula is not option, I am learning how to cook without wheat, soy, dairy, most meats, nuts and with very few eggs. I am not the greatest baker, but I really crave bread, SO MUCH!
I enjoyed your cookbook very much, still struggling with the yeast-based bread recipes -- something I am doing very wrong there... If you get chance, please help and respond to my email.
Anyways, thank you for the great cookbook. It has been a great teacher. I am thankful that you've walked the path before me and put together what you've learnt.
I love your blog and your recipes. You have added such richness to my table through your well-guided gluten-free creativity. Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family from Dr. Donovan and me.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this cookbook -- one of my absolute favorites! I am thankful for you, Kelly, Shirley, and the other GF bloggers for sharing all their terrific recipes. :)
I'm really enjoying your blog - thank you for all your efforts! We have several family members with food issues, and your site is a great resource!
Mmm...so yummy! If I don't win it this is going on the Christmas list ;) I'm thankful for a job and a wonderful husband and family!
Hi Ali,
I am thankful for all the wonderful recipes you have developed. They always work and they are always delicious! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.
-Jillian Trinkaus
I'm so happy I found your blog! I've been desperate for new sugar and grain free recipes, so this is graet1 Thanks so much.
Monique
LOVE your blog! I'd love a copy of the Spunky Coconut cookbook.
My 2 year old son was recently diagnosed with celiac.
As a single dad I appreciate all the help I can find to create healthy and quick gluten free options.
My 2 year old son was recently diagnosed with celiac.
As a single dad I appreciate all the help I can find to create healthy and quick gluten free options.
Thanks for all of the recipes you share, Ali! I am thankful this year for my daughter who will be 1 just before Christmas, and for an incredibly supportive husband. I am thankful for our community in Bellingham that has made it so much easier to live a gluten free lifestyle. Cheers! JennL
Hi Ali!
Of course I have to enter this giveaway, as I'm sure Kelly's cookbook rocks! Also... how about sending me the non-claimed bag of coconut sugar ;-) I could put that to good use!
I am thankful for my Jesus who continues to carry me through my most horrible health challenge as of yet. Again, being sick makes me realize how much people take food for granted. The fact that a person has so many choices of fresh healthy food- and can just plop something into their mouth and never think about it again after swallowing is quite a luxury! Although I cannot eat much now without pain I am thankful for the choice at all. And of course, so grateful for my family!
I am thankful to be able to buy gluten-free products in stores, but I am also thankful for an alternative to commercial gluten-free products that I can make at home!
I have been a fan of all things coconut for several years now and look forward to trying this muffin recipe. Thanks for all of the great recipes on this blog.
I've been looking/waiting for both you and Kelly for a loooong time and am so grateful for your information and recipes! I'd love to receive Kelly's cookbook!
That anonymous above was me...a little bird just crawled into my lap and left me to finish typing with my left hand and her right foot. Not the most accurate combination!
I love new cookbooks, but resist buying new ones since I can't even keep up with all of the delicious recipes available via the great world wide web. There is definitely something special about ingredient splattered cookbooks that are well used and well loved.
I think we need to make muffins today for our travels tomorrow!
I am grateful that there are so many creative folks in the world who are thinking of new ways for all of us to be healthy and well. Of course, the ways in which I am grateful for my family are endless.
Happy Feasting tomorrow!