What’s Cooking Wednesday: Gluten-Free Chocolate Coconut Muffins
I recently came across a great looking recipe for a gluten-free chocolate cake in one of my favorite Italian magazines. I told my mom I was going to try it for a What’s Cooking Wednesday and her immediate reaction was “Why?”
You see, I’m not allergic to gluten; perhaps you could tell from the amount of pasta recipes on here?
As I told my mom, though, I do have friends (and blog readers!) who have Celiac Disease. And let’s be honest: I’m getting plenty of white refined flour in my diet as it is.
Plus today is my sister-in-law’s birthday–a perfect time for some baking.
Happy Birthday N!
So I went to the store and picked up almond flour as listed in the recipe. Next to it on the shelf was coconut flour. Hmmm….
Yes, I came home with two fancy flours. Then I looked closer at the recipe. Six eggs! Goodness that’s a lot. Especially since P had just eaten two of the six I had in the fridge–and the hens wouldn’t be laying any more that day.
So I started looking around the Internet for other gluten-free chocolate cake recipes. I quickly found out that lots of eggs are quite common in gluten-free cake recipes–this one has 10! The cake looks fabulous, but I’m guessing anything with 10 eggs is going to be a little much for just P and me (especially when one of us will only eat sweets when force fed).
Then I found this recipe for Flourless Chocolate Muffins, played around with it, and came up with these:
Now I don’t mean to toot my own corno, but oh these are *so* good.
The coconut adds great texture, and they are just as moist as The Moistest Chocolate Cake in the World (probably because I borrowed the idea of using coffee in the batter).
I will definitely make these again. And again. And you guessed it–yet again.
Gluten-Free Chocolate Coconut Muffins
[makes 6 large or 12 normal size muffins]
3 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup almond flour
2/3 cup coconut flour
6 tbl unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tbl vegetable oil
1 tsp baking powder*
2 tsp vanilla*
1/4 (measuring) cup or one small espresso cup of brewed espresso
[*For those in Italy, note that I used one bustina of lievito per dolci in place of baking powder and vanilla.]
1. Preheat oven to 350°F/180°C.
2. Grease 6 large muffin cups, or 12 normal muffin cups.
3. In large mixing bowl, beat together eggs and sugar with electric mixer.
4. Add vegetable oil and mix well.
5. Stir in almond flour, coconut flour, cocoa, vanilla, baking powder, and espresso, and mix gently. I did this with a silicone spatula, something like this.
6. Pour into muffin cups, filling about 3/4 full and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, between 25-35 minutes. (Mine took about 30 minutes.)
With a little dab of marshmallow/fluff, these reminded me so much of my beloved Mallo Cups . . . anyone else love them? Yes, I have a huge sweet tooth, why do you ask?
Buon appetito!
38 Beans of Wisdom to “What’s Cooking Wednesday: Gluten-Free Chocolate Coconut Muffins”
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[...] the recipe. Remember when I made Gluten-Free Chocolate Coconut Muffins a few weeks ago? I had some almon... bleedingespresso.com/2008/05/whats-cooking-wednesday-gluten-free-banana-pancakes-with-orange-honey-sauce.html
Michelle Kaminsky is an American attorney-turned-freelance writer who lived in her family's ancestral village in Calabria, Italy for 15 years. This blog is now archived.
Calabria Guidebook
Recipes
Thanks M! I saw the pics on flickr and I sensed what was coming.
I have a friend with Celiac disease, so I’m going to link her through…
Paolo’s last blog post..the darkness spreads
Thanks (other) P 😉 Flickr Watch, eh? Crafty.
I am going to tell my cousin about this one so also is on a glutten free diet. Can you believe I have NEVER had Mallo Cups?
Jenn’s last blog post..Weigh In #4 and the Weekend
I can believe it Jenn, but I can’t accept it. Order some!!!!!!! Hee hee….
Oh my! These look delicious! Have I mentioned that chocolate and coconut are two of my absolute favorite things ever? I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Chocolate and coconut are *way* up there on my list too Kelli, and that’s why I put them together here. YUM!
Mallo cups! I thought they stopped making them before you were born. Did you make the little flowers on top?
I didn’t make the flowers, no–I bought 5 for a euro and I can use them again and again…aren’t they purty? 😉
As for Mallo cups, they STILL live on in PA Gil. One of my favorite reasons to be a Pennsylvanian in fact 😉
One of my favorite reasons to be a Pennsylvanian in fact 😉 The other must be “Vitamin Y”!
Oh Gil you know me too well. Was just talking about having a Yuengling Lager in the bott’l yesterday….
I too have a very good friend with Celiac disease and his wife is constantly looking for recipes! I’ll be sure to pass this on to them. Gorgeous pictures by the way.
Joanne’s last blog post..Short cuts in the freezer
Thanks Joanne, and thanks for passing along the recipe 🙂
Doffing my hat to you! Good save. You know those eggs provide the sticky usually provided by gluten. Anyway, I thought you’d devised those flowers from frosting, so I am crushed that you didn’t, but heck, you still made cupcakes.
Judith in Umbria’s last blog post..Rewind: antipasto
Thanks Judith. I knew the eggs had something to do with replacing the gluten, but you’ve solved the “sticky” mystery, so thanks for that too. Sorry to disappoint on the decoration, but they were just sitting there all cute (and pre-made). Couldn’t resist 😉
This recipe looks great! My sister has celiacs and lives in the states. She struggles to find food and there are virtually no restaurants in town where she can feel safe eating. I keep trying to get her to move her because lots of people have it and there are millions of restaurants and stores with food. In the mean time, I will pass this recipe along.
Jessica in Rome’s last blog post..What To Do? Blog Advice Wanted
Oh that’s terrible Jessica! I hope your sister has some good luck–either finding new places to eat or moving…or simply finding lots of great recipes she can make at home. There are lots of great blogs out there with gluten-free recipes!
These look awesome! Though it has got to be hard here in the States to find any flour beyond wheat and regular.
Sparky Duck’s last blog post..A UFC Wedding
Actually almond flour is a really popular ingredient in American dessert recipes these days, often as a substitute for half of the white flour if not more; I first learned about it in the Dolce Italiano cookbook by Gina DePalma.
And believe me, if I can find this stuff in rural Calabria, they have to be in America, especially with the move toward gluten-free for so many people. For me, it was right near the regular flour in the supermarket (of course not in EVERY supermarket) 😉
Mmmmm, delizioso!!!! Anything chocolate floats my boat!!! I have heard of almond flour, but coconut, that’s a new one!!!
I love the lilliputian posies on top. They look so cute 🙂
My Melange’s last blog post..What’s new and exciting at My Melange?
Thanks Robin; I thought those flowers were pretty cute too 🙂
Anything with chocolate and coconut has my name written all over it, Michelle, gluten or not!
I have another Italian-friendly recipe up today – fabulous bread that only uses flour, water, yeast, salt and cornmeal.
jen of a2eatwrite’s last blog post..What’s Cooking Wednesday: Simple Breads 2 – Crusty Bread
Yeah for Italian-friendly recipes…especially when they’re bread-y 😉
Do I remember Mallo Cups?!! y.u.m. and where I’m from in Southern Idaho there was a local candy bar called Mallo-Nut with whipped mallo and you guessed it, walnuts. Oh my.
Thanks for sharing this recipe and your memories.
nonizamboni’s last blog post..Orange you sweet!
Oh the Mallo-Nut…how cute! Thank *you* for sharing 🙂
I don’t know anyone on a gluten-free diet but those muffins sure look good. And as usual, the pics are wonderful.
Linda’s last blog post..The search for George
Thanks Linda; no need to be gluten-free to enjoy!
OMG! I have’t seen Mallo Cups in eons! They were my favorite candy when I was a kid. If your muffins are anything like them, I’m in!
Susan at Sticky, Gooey, Creamy, Chewy’s last blog post..Tuesdays with Dorie: Fluted Polenta and Ricotta Cake
Another Mallo Cup lover! Yeah! I would say that these muffins “recall” Mallo Cups…inserting the marshmallow in the middle would make them even more “recalling” 😉
I made some gluten free brownies last fall for a friend who’s trying to avoid wheat and white flour, but they just looked weird and didn’t taste like anything worth raving about. Maybe next time I’ll have to try these!
Stefanie’s last blog post..Points for creativity anyway?
Oh definitely try these Stefanie; I promise they at least won’t look weird 😉
Oh yum! These look perfect (and how much do I now want marshmallow fluff???). A friend of mine was just mentioning coconut flour. Now seeing this recipe too, might have to try that out 🙂
LJ’s last blog post..abdicating my stool
Coconut flour is lovely; I’ll be using it more often for sure 🙂
Those look divine! I’ve already printed out a copy for me and for one of my gluten-intolerant co-workers. 🙂
Christina Arbini’s last blog post..The “Perfect” Book Giveaway!
Woohoo! Thanks Christina 🙂
I printed out a copy and gave it to my Manager…she eats gluten free too! Brownie points for me, or should I say Muffin Points!!! 🙂
Lucy’s last blog post..Missing the Sunrise
Hah! Muffin points are good too 😉
I am so passing this recipe along – I have so many friends who can not do wheat flour.
Actually I shouldn’t either but…
Happy B-day to your mama.
May she have many many more happy and healthy birthdays.
Ciao Bella.
Frances’s last blog post..looking forward to my second blooming
Thanks Frances, and thanks for passing along the recipe 🙂
If I keep printing out your blog, I may end up with a cookbook -:)
Billy’s last blog post..Bike Ride Around America
Hah! Be sure to send me a copy Billy 😉
OOOH yum! Chocolate, coconut and espresso in the same cupcakes? YUM!
Karina’s last blog post..The New Kids are coming…The New Kids are coming…
I know Karina. I know 😉
Oowwwww…those sure do look nummy.
😉
Norma-ann’s last blog post..Indian Appleous 500 winner!
Thanks Norma-ann! Love the title of your latest post 🙂
These look absolutely delicious. And Mallo Cups! Where are they now? I don’t think I’ve seen them anywhere. I might have to hunt some down…or make your muffins instead. 🙂
smtwngrl’s last blog post..Blogher Acts Donation Challenge
Mallo Cups are still around in central and eastern PA as far as I know, although not as easily found as before. You can always order them online though–even through Amazon 😉
Yum. These look fantastic.
I might add a bit of frosting on top!
jody’s last blog post..Enchanted
I thought about Jody, but (especially for photos!) I liked the texture on top…but they’d be great with frosting too 🙂
Just one word, Yum! (I know it was four)
amanda’s last blog post..The birds and the bees
I’ll take them all Amanda, don’t worry 😉
My SIL recently discovered she has to be gluten free, to enjoy her life and to be without pain. She would love these! (so would I!!!)
Marie’s last blog post..PASTA SALADS!
You’re right Marie–these aren’t just for the gluten-free 😉
Almond flour? Coconut flour? Coffee in the batter? Oh, the joy! And oh, the new things I learn from this blog! 🙂
Tarie’s last blog post..The Blogging Friends Forever Gold Card
Happy to introduce you to some wonderful ingredients 🙂
Now, I am expecting these on our next get-together!
Cherrye’s last blog post..First of the Month Recipe – Torta alle Mela di Peppe
Soon! Soon!
I’m on a gluten free diet and will absolutely love making these. I will have to substitute something for almond flour (allergic to almonds) but i can’t wait to try this recipe. Thanks!
I actually thought that surely someone would have an allergy to almond flour…hmm….chestnut?
These look so good! I’ve been waiting for the recipe since I saw them on flickr. ; )
Anali’s last blog post..Two Years Blogging + Lunch @ Sauciety
It’s finally here! Hope you enjoy 🙂
Oh, yum!
chocolate + coconut = true love, forever
(I may have to spraypaint that onto an underpass somewhere.)
Finally some worthy graffiti!
All tree nuts are a no-no. Maybe Quinoa flour?
Sounds good to me Enza! Let me know if you make them!
Btw, I can never get an email out to you–if you read this, please email me so I can see if I can respond….
great looking muffins!
Jerri’s last blog post..Recipe of the Week: Southwestern Chicken
Thanks Jerri 🙂
These muffins looked so tempting that when I was in Whole Foods the other day I thought I’d picked up the almond & coconut flour. Well, as mouth watering as the muffins looked I couldn’t make myself pay $6.99/lb package for almond flour and $11.99/lb package for coconut flour. I think I’ll check out the local asian market and see if they carry these items.
Thanks for sharing your recipes, this one definately will go into my recipe file.
Ice Tea For Me’s last blog post..what’s cooking wednesday’s – not so much
Wow! I’m doing the euro/dollar conversion in my head, and I suppose actually our prices down here in lowly Calabria aren’t *too* much better–my bags were 200 grams each (so a little less than half a pound) and they were, I think, about 2 euros each…so $3 for a half pound. Basically in line with the almond flour, but that coconut flour is insane! I used less than half of each bag though, so I get to use them again at least 😉
I imagine it’s expensive to be gluten-free then 🙁
Coconut flour is one of my personal favorites.. who doesn’t love coconut!? This looks like it will be a very good recipe. They look amazing; I will definitely be trying these soon!
I hope you like them! Thanks for coming by 🙂
Well, I do have celiac, and found your site accidentally looking for something unrelated….and now I am thrilled to try this recipe! I have a HUGE sweet tooth, major depression about visiting Italy with my new found celiac disease (no more pasta–IN ITALY???!!!), and at least see that there are offerings of other flours. My family is from Calabria too (Cosenza), and I want to bring my two small kids to embrace it all. My reluctance lies with food, if you can believe it….
Anyway, thanks for this, it was a treasure to find in the midst of your website, and will forward to my gluten free website friends.
PS. Looking forward to Nutella day!! Eat it with my gluten free pretzels as a snack ALL the time!
Ciao Gina! Glad you found me, and yes, other types of flour are pretty easy to find here…not inexpensive, but I don’t think they really are anywhere. Come on over!
Maybe this is an obvious question for long-time readers, but I just discovered your blog, so bear with me – where your recipe calls for “1/4 (measuring) cup or one small espresso cup of espresso” – is that espresso powder, or is that the liquid espresso beverage? It’s not clear to me because there are different measuring cups for liquid and dry ingredients, but I SO want to make this, so please let your readers know!
It’s brewed (liquid) espresso; I will clarify that now 🙂 Thanks!