I’m not quite certain what it is about springtime that reminds me of coconut, but a few days of warm weather, sunshine and melting snow and I find myself gravitating towards the gentle sweetness of this beautiful, white fleshy fruit.
Happily, I’ve had an opportunity to contemplate the changing seasons and radiant sunshine this past week during our spring skiing adventure through the Eastern Townships and Vermont. Now I like a tropical vacation as much as the next gal, but there’s just something about skiing under the brilliant March sun – hatless, gloveless, coatless, heart pumping and legs burning – that’s… well, unbeatable.
Something else I love about spring are the running streams that return to life after the long, deep winter. The melting snow adds volume and momentum to their flow and it creates the most peaceful, comforting sound. Here’s a short video of the stream that ran just outside our chalet; it was a pretty wonderful way to begin and end each day. Be sure to play the clip repeatedly for your sleepless children.
Strawberry Coconut Spelt Muffins
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1 + 1/4 cup whole grain spelt flour
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1 cup whole grain oatmeal
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1 tsp baking soda
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1 tsp baking powder
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1/3 cup Demerara sugar
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1 egg, lightly whisked
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3 Tbsp olive oil
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1 tsp vanilla
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1 cup chopped strawberries + 12 slices for topping
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1/4 cup dilute orange juice
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1/4 cup natural, unsweetened coconut milk
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1/4 cup unsweetened desiccated coconut shavings + 2 Tbsp
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Heat oven to 400 F.
In a large bowl, combine spelt flour, oatmeal, baking soda, baking powder, sugar and 2 Tbsp of coconut shavings together in a bowl, mixing well to combine.
In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together egg, olive oil, vanilla, orange juice and coconut milk. Add chopped strawberries, gently mixing to combine.
Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, mixing only until combined.
Divide batter among 12 lightly greased muffin cups. Top each muffin with a slice of strawberry in the center and a sprinkling of coconut shavings all around.
Cook muffins for approximately 15 minutes or until browned and just firm to the touch.
Remove tray to cooling rack and allow muffins to set for at least 10 minutes before enjoying.
Yay Spring!
Strawberries give the “spring flavor”:)))
Life and travelling
Cooking
I curse the fact that my husband hates coconut, especially when I see recipes like these. I love the idea of these muffins! I’ve never mixed strawberry and coconut before and like that you used spelt flour.
That looks beautiful!! You’re so creative!! Never had coconut with strawberries before but I bet they make a heavenly combination! :)
I have some dried strawberries that I think I will try to use in this.
Very pretty…and I adore the colour and flavour combinations…
I have spelt grains just begging to be milled for these muffins! Thanks.
These look perfect!! I’m addicted to making muffins, I’ve got to try this sometime!
Thanks so much Greg…
Thank you Lisa! I think when I make your chicken skewers, I’m going to add some coconut! YUMMMM. :)
I would love to visit Colorado one of these days… too bad your trip didn’t work out but hopefully you’ll have another chance soon. Spelt has gorgeous baking properties, it is very soft and silky. I think this is one of the reasons people often have an easier time digesting it than wheat. I came to know spelt through a local bakery that uses spelt exclusively in their breads and muffins. De.lish.
Thank you Stephanie… we had a great family trip!
I use spelt primary in sweet/fruit breads – loaves and muffins and generally combine with something a little heartier (oatmeal) and it seems to work well. You could maybe try a wheat or other grain to support the spelt flour in your bread. Thanks for stopping by Stephie!
mmm… the smell of coconut oil…. beaches, water, sun… :)
thanks Jesica and welcome to Inspired Edibles! Thank you for dropping by :)
I hear you… when the tropics are not at hand, why not bring them to us through food and a hearty imagination! ;-)
Thank you so much for your kind and generous words Jade!
Funny you say that, I was thinking the same while editing the photos – the coconut was resembling snow more and more… :)
Thanks Yummy! :)
We haven’t quite hit strawberry season here (I’m just happy the sun is shining – lol) – no matter, I eat these gorgeous berries year round :)
Aww, what nice words… Thank you Kim!
Haha, white stuff indeed (somewhat necessary for skiing ;0) – Now Colorado would be a wonderful place to visit altho we are never disappointed with the enormous beauty and friendliness of Americans when we travel to Vermont.
Ah, fabulous… enjoy the day – I agree, the gorgeous ball of fire makes the day! :)
Thanks Mandy – cheers!
Ah… We have neighbours across the lake from NJ! Not much of a complaint (in my books) getting away without a real winter ;-).
Thanks Eva! Hope you’re having a brilliant day.
hee.hee, you and me both! Love those enchanting, serene sounds of nature…
We had a great time, thanks France. Spelt has gorgeous baking properties; I hope you enjoy.
Thank you so much Reem! I appreciate your kind feedback. Have a sunny day :)
Oh, thanks Chris! I like the red too :)
Funny, they said the exact same thing to me! ;0)
Thanks so much Michelle – they seemed to be a hit with the family.
Thank you Anne… it seemed like the right combination. We are being treated to gorgeous weather this week. Sunny and mid 20s… (C). Happy spring to you too!
Thanks Shara and welcome to Inspired Edibles! How nice to have you drop in :)
yeah, I’m not sure I understand the connection between spring and coconut either (altho…. I did make my first ever banana, coconut cream pie in the spring…. so perhaps that’s the genesis ;-).
too funny… when I first glanced at your note, I thought it said “and bathing with it too” and thought: genius. I must try that!! :)
Kelly, there must be something about the coconut and Spring because I have been craving it for several weeks now (and baking with it too!). Your muffins are as always so creative and beautiful! Oatmeal+spelt make them so guiltless too ;-)
I see your holiday was a big success. I wouldn’t mind having such a stream under my window all year long.
Heh, I’ve never really associated coconut with spring – though it seems many people do after all! I never baked with strawberries before – I can imagine it gives a fantastic flavour to the muffin – especially when still warm, and mixed with the coconut too… yummy :D
Love your little video – how lucky to have that right outside… Must have been so nice to wake/sleep to that each day! :)
love the flavor of this muffins ! so epic great! haha.
Kelly….I agree…there is something about coconut AND strawberries that just sing spring to me! These muffins are just beautiful…your pictures are so lovely. Happy Spring! : )
these look so good!
These muffins are saying.. “Come eat me and make me very soon” LOL. I have to oblige them if they’re talking to me so sweetly lol
Beautiful Kelly, the babbling brook and the muffins – I love that spash of red in the middle of each muffin, I’m such a visual person, this really caught my eye!
WOW these Muffins are just wonderful!!!
See this is the thing I like about your blog, not only the recipes look and taste good but they are actually for you…
Beautiful…
B/W somehow the video is not playing, may be some issue at my end, will check back again.
It sounds like you had a lovely vacation. Coming home to these is pretty good too. I love when I come across a good spelt recipe. We’ll be giving these a try.
I might just have to play this tape over and over and over to see if it solves my troubles with insomnia… lovely sound!
I am more than ready for Spring, as you may imagine… and these muffins with coconut are sure to please any Brazilian (naturalized American or not! ;-)
I totally agree, Kelly, there is really nothing like spring skiing! What lovely muffins, indeed.
yay for healthy muffins! and yes, it’s spring, finally! though i felt like we never really had winter here in NJ. not much snow here! more like an extended fall.
Can’t wait to give these a try.
:-) Mandy
These look delightful. Spring is a wonderful time for skiing, we are going Friday and I cannot wait to feel the warm sun on my face while enjoying the downhill rush!
What is that white stuff next to the stream?! LOL. Haven’t seen snow in a while and I’m quite ok with that. ;) The stream video is totally peaceful. It reminds me of mountain streams in Colorado. Just so serene. I’m glad you guys had a wonderful time!!! It sounds like the weather was perfect. And these muffins sound delicious – coconuts and strawberry?! Very spring indeed. Welcome home Kelly! :)
Sweet Kelly,
Thank you for awakening my senses w/ spring, coconut and flowing water.
I am still listening to it! Wonderful. Xx
They look great, do you think coconut flour would work as well? I’m trying to accompdate gluten free people…
I’m so excited for strawberry season! These muffins look wonderful – just perfect for spring breakfasts.
Love your little slices of color! So tasty looking!
These are so pretty! The coconut flakes remind me of snow rather than spring :D I’m adding this to my coconut recipe list. Been going a little coconutty ever since finding the little slip of paper for the pie :)
wow! you amaze me with your work! very impressive. looks so great!
this is perfect for my muffin craving haha!
This looks and sounds amazing. Perfect for breakfast I imagine. You know it’s funny, we were hiking in the woods today, snow on the ground but I had a tank top on -a first for me- and it was such an incredible feeling. Like nothing else and hubby was telling me about skiing like that in the alps and how amazing it feels. I hope to be able to do it someday.
yumm, I am a huge coconut fan. whenever I am in europe I try to back as many coconut sweets as possible to bring back the tropical sun into my life. I ll have fun with your recip! ;)
Demerara sugar, and coconut milk! you got them right!
I love the flavors of this muffin. The smell of coconut always reminds me of warm weather (I think it has something to do with the sun tan stuff.) Great recipe!
I recently gave the whole spelt flour thing a try in some bread. Didn’t go well. But this recipe might have me convinced to try it again – strawberries and coconut, yum!
By the way, I tagged you in a get to know you game. I hope you’ll participate! http://eat-your-heart-out.net/2012/03/18/getting-to-know-you/
Beautiful muffins, Kelly! And your video is great! So pretty!
Oh man, so jealous of your spring skiing! I was supposed to go to Colorado but the trip got cancelled :( These muffins are a great little intro the spring. I’ve never cooked with spelt but will have to try it! What does it taste like?
I agree very pretty. We bought some coconuts this weekend, my kids love to drink coconut water. The warm weather has been gravitating my boys to eat tropical fruits too!
Those have to be the prettiest muffins ever. They look right tasty too!