It’s the little things that really make me happy.
Like seeing the sun first thing in the morning. The ocean. Drinking a perfectly brewed cup of coffee with just the right amount of cream. Feeling incredibly awake, bright and energized after a good yoga or dance class. These are some of the things that make my life a little bit sweeter. Oh, did I mention that good food has a tendency to do that for me too? Especially, something that happens to be freshly baked. What’s even better? When I can throw something together without having to run to the store first. Love that.
As soon as I saw these cherries at the farmers market yesterday I knew I wanted to bake something sweet and tasty. I thought about a bread, maybe cupcakes or a tart but then settled on muffins. There’s nothing better than having a cup of coffee and homemade fresh fruit muffins on a lazy Sunday morning. I wanted to make somewhat of a “healthier” muffin, so I threw together these cherry-pecan muffins using quinoa flour, agave nectar in place of the sugar and yogurt for moistness. If you don’t have or don’t like the taste of quinoa flour, use any flour you like. Are they super healthy? Well, no. But, they were sweet and moist. A perfect weekend breakfast treat.
What little things make your life a little bit sweeter?
Sweet Cherry-Pecan Muffins
1 1/2 cups quinoa flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp cardamom
1/4 tsp fresh grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1 egg
2 tbsp canola oil
3/4 cup agave nectar
1 tsp vanilla
8 oz plain yogurt
2 tbsp milk
1 1/2 cups pitted halved fresh cherries
1 cup toasted pecans
Preheat oven to 350. Fill muffin tin with paper liners.
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cardamom and nutmeg and set aside. In another bowl combine the egg, oil, yogurt, vanilla, milk and agave nectar. Add the dry ingredients into the wet mixing only until just incorporated. Stir in cherry halves and pecans. Fill muffins tins 3/4 full. Top each muffin with sliced cherries and a sprinkle of brown sugar and pecans. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Makes 12 muffins.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
Dandysugar,
I found your recipe when I had pitted too many cherries for my Clafouti. I didn’t use as much agave (1/3 cup) but used 1/4 cup oil and no milk, based on a recipe I have for Quinoa corn blueberry muffins from Baking with agave nectar by Ania Catalano, and I added 2T soy flour just because I have some I need to use up. Everything else was the same. The muffins were beautiful and delicious. Somehow I always come out with 12 normal sized muffins and 12 mini muffins in my silicon pan. Those muffins really are little sweet things, perfect for ‘elevenses.’
Блог просто отличный, побольше бы таких!
Yes! Quinoa flour! I have some and was just about to experiment with it, nice to see some good mufins come out of it!
I totally agree about “the little things”. It’s those little observations in life that keep me smiling.
OOoooh,…..AAaaaah,…they look georgously excellent!!
I love the fact that you have used agave nectar & quinoa flour!! Making it healthy!!
MMMMMM……
I can’t wait for cherries to come back into season… Your pictures look so enticing, I just want bake muffins right this minute!
Lick My Spoon,
Yes, it doesn’t have any refined sugar so it’s much better for you than a regular muffin! =)
Oysterculture,
Usually cherries don’t last a minute in my house either but I got so many of them this time! Went a bit overboard!
Lita,
Let me know how they come out! Thanks for visiting.
Duo Dishes,
Cardamom is one of my favorites too!
Nora,
Thanks so much for your visits! Let me know how they come out if you do make them!
Juliana,
Yes, these muffins have lots of good ingredients…thanks for stopping by!
Sophia,
Always great to hear from you…thanks for the sweet words.
Maris,
Whoa! Must have been some amazing cherries!! Ouch!!
Lorraine,
Thanks for stopping by! I’m with you on the cup of tea for sure!
Adrienne,
Little edible things are just the best, aren’t they??!!
I love little things! Especially little edible things. I’ve got my fingers crossed that I’ll come across some really good cherries soon!
These look fantastic! Food does that to me too!
I’m a simple girl and easily pleased. Just give me a plate of something good or a perfectly brewed cup of tea and I’m happy.
Mmm these look so good! The cherries at the market this morning looked amazing but for $8.99/lb I couldn’t bring myself to do it!
you’re right! it’s the little simple pleasures in life that gives me such joy. For me, it’ll also be a perfect cup of coffee while I’m reading the bible. Waking up refreshed with the sunlight on my face. A steaming bowl of oatmeal. A hug from a loved one.
And add just a muffin of yours, my life will be perfect.
Quinoa flour and yogurt, what could be more interesting that this combo. I would love to try…can only imagine…yummie. Great pictures!
lisa this recipe is really going to keep me busy in the kitchen with all its glamor. This is another must for the weekend! My kids would just hug me for this..
keep it up!!
thanx a lot for sharing.. excellent photography as usual
cheers!!
Quinoa flour! Great! Oh and cardamom too? Love that.
They look luscious Lisa; looks moist and soft. I am going to try this recipe. Great photos, as always.
I’d love to make these, but the cherries we get last no more than a few hours. We eat them like candy.
Without a single teaspoon of sugar this will be a yummy healthy that will satisfy my sweet tooth but not break my diet ! I can’t wait to try it