Spiced Plum Muffins

Vegan Spiced Plum Muffins ⎮ happy hearted kitchen

There is always something magic about this time of year. The cool breeze through the open windows. The colors outside slowly changing. The abundant harvests at the market. The reassuring comfort of old forgotten sweatshirts and slippers. It’s one of my favorite times of the year. The pressuring heat of the summer has lifted and things seem to slow down a little bit, resembling more of a routine. There is still plenty to do outside, but spending an afternoon turning plums into muffins seems perfectly acceptable as well.

I love the act of baking but I do get frustrated with the precision of it all. It’s not like cooking where a you can taste as you go and get creative in the process. I think I set the bar pretty low for myself when it comes to baking wholesome treats. If it’s edible and contains cinnamon then it’s a win in my books. These muffins though, are good. And they are wholesome, warm and spiced just the way I like them.

This batter recipe is pretty adaptable to whatever fruits are in season. Swapping the plums and orange juice for apples and their juice will be happening here soon as the seasons shift. Figs, vanilla and cardamom would be worth a try right now as well. I’m thinking of replacing the ground almonds with different nuts to see how that goes. Hazelnuts to start. I guess this recipe is just the beginning. This season holds so much inspiration. There is always a way to stay creative. Make the most of it. Make muffins.


SPICED PLUM MUFFINS

The smell of these muffins is hard to resist – warm spices, orange zest and almonds combine with juicy bright plums, it’s what I love about this end of summer season. Plums are one of my favorite summer treats. Just as the weather starts to turn and we start reaching for those comforting spices again. Warm, cozy and sunny – let’s make the most of it.

Notes

I’ve made these muffins with and without the arrowroot and if just helps them keep their shape a little easier. I love having arrowroot in the pantry, it’s inexpensive and can be found at most health food stores. It’s a great way to thicken sauces or crisp up baked fries. It also works to keep vegan or gluten free baked goods from falling apart.

Vegan. Makes 9 large muffins or 12 smaller ones.

Ingredients

1/3 cup oats
1/2 cup almond meal
1 + 1/2 cup light spelt flour
1 tbsp baking powder
1 tbsp arrowroot powder (see notes)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp each ground cloves + nutmeg
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tbsp orange zest
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1 tsp natural vanilla extract
1/4 tsp fine grain sea salt
2 cups mixed plums, roughly chopped

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350F / 176C and grease or line a muffin tray with parchment wraps.

Place oats in a small blender and blender until coarsely ground.

Add oat flour, ground almonds, spelt flour, baking powder, arrowroot and spices to a large bowl and whisk to combine.

Add orange juice, orange zest, almond milk, oil, maple syrup, vanilla and sea salt to another bowl and whisk until emulsified.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined without over mixing. Gently stir in the chopped plums.

Divide the mixture into muffins trays and top with extra plums if desired. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.

Let cool and enjoy, or freeze for later.


Let me in on your kitchen creations – tag your photos #happyheartedkitchen and share the love!

11 Comments

  • Reply
    valentina | sweet kabocha
    August 30, 2016 at 9:57 am

    Here the warm weather is never arrived! The positive point of view is that I’ve been able to bake without dying all summer :D Btw, I’m going to move in a new apartment this Saturday and I’ll finally buy many things I need for my kitchen – muffin pan included! These seems so comforting <3

    • Reply
      Jodi Kay
      September 1, 2016 at 8:08 am

      Ah yay for muffin tins! Good luck with the move Valentina! Hopefully you get some perfect september weather coming soon – oh I can only imagine how beautiful it must be there this time of year! x

  • Reply
    Warm Vanilla Sugar
    August 30, 2016 at 10:00 am

    I love the look AND sound of these! So much goodness in one baked treat!

    • Reply
      Jodi Kay
      September 1, 2016 at 8:08 am

      Thank you so much, Katrina! x

  • Reply
    Sophie | The Green Life
    August 30, 2016 at 11:27 am

    These muffins sound so cozy and warming! I’d happily have one right now. And yay for forgotten sweatshirts and slippers, I’ve now made my mind about the fact that fall is coming, and I’m officially excited for what’s to come! <3

    • Reply
      Jodi Kay
      September 1, 2016 at 8:09 am

      I’d happily have one right now too! I’m excited for what’s to come as well, Sophie – I love the calmness of fall :) x

  • Reply
    Jessie Snyder | Faring Well
    August 30, 2016 at 4:53 pm

    I love love love the ingredients in here Jodi! So excited to bake up a storm. I am so right there with you on the welcoming of fall. You paint such a serene picture of it here friend. xx

    • Reply
      Jodi Kay
      September 1, 2016 at 8:10 am

      Thanks, Jessie! Reaching for all those warm spices again felt like having coffee with old friends. Oh goodness I love the cozy :) Enjoy it my friend :) x

  • Reply
    Sophie MacKenzie
    September 3, 2016 at 9:06 pm

    Yum, these flavours would go so well with the chai I just bought in anticpation for autumn. I can’t wait for all the fall baking to commence <3 We should plan a bake-a-thon next time you hit the city xox

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