Healthy Recipes: Blueberry-Coconut-Macadamia Muffins

The one-two punch of coconut and macadamia nuts in this luxurious muffin will make you think you’re having your morning coffee in Hawaii. Drizzle this healthy recipe with honey for an added touch of sweetness.

Servings: 12

Total Time: 1 hour

Prep Time: 20 minutes

To Make Ahead: Store, individually wrapped, at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. To reheat, remove plastic wrap, wrap in a paper towel and microwave on High for 30-45 seconds.

Recipe Ingredients:

1. 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut
2. 2 tablespoons plus 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, divided
3. 2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup brown sugar, divided
4. 5 tablespoons chopped macadamia nuts, divided (you can add walnuts)
5. 2 tablespoons canola oil, divided
6. 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour (see Source) or whole-wheat flour
7. 1 teaspoon baking powder
8. 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
9. 1/8 teaspoon salt
10. 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
11. 1 large egg
12. 1 large egg white
13. 3/4 cup nonfat buttermilk (see Tip)
14. 2 tablespoons butter, melted
15. 1/2 teaspoon coconut or vanilla extract
16. 1 1/2 cups fresh or frozen (not thawed) blueberries

Recipe Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray.
2. Combine coconut, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons brown sugar and 2 tablespoons macadamia nuts in a small bowl. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil; stir to combine. Set aside.
3. Whisk the remaining 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Whisk the remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar, the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, egg, egg white, buttermilk, butter and coconut (or vanilla) extract in a medium bowl until well combined. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients; stir until just combined. Add blueberries and the remaining 3 tablespoons nuts; stir just to combine. Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle with the reserved coconut topping and gently press into the batter.
4. Bake the muffins until golden brown and a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then remove from the pan and let cool on a wire rack at least 5 minutes more before serving.

Recipe Tips & Notes:

1. Source: Look for whole-wheat pastry flour in the natural-foods section of large supermarkets and natural-foods stores. Sources include King Arthur Flour, (800) 827-6836, www.bakerscatalogue.com, and Bob’s Red Mill, (800) 349-2173, www.bobsredmill.com.
2. Tip: No buttermilk? Mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice into 1 cup milk.

Recipe Nutrition:

Per muffin: 202 calories; 9 g fat (3 g saturated fat, 4 g mono unsaturated fat); 23 mg cholesterol; 28 g carbohydrates; 4 g protein; 2 g fiber; 122 mg sodium; 55 mg potassium