I travelled to the far corners of our country this last weekend, to New York City! Although it was rainy one day and brrrrr cold the rest of the trip (with the sun out), I very much enjoyed visiting The Big Apple again. Unexpected outcome in my travel plans. I was out there for a workshop only to find out the evening before while I was in my hotel room preparing mentally for the highly anticipated class, it was cancelled! I couldn’t get a flight back home and in all honesty…I could barely afford to take this trip in the first place. How ironic. What to do? I did some low-cost sightseeing and enjoyed some New York City deliciousness without overindulging.
After a gawd-awful long day of travel…airport shuttle barely getting me to La Guardia on time, two overlays (Chicago and Denver) and no time to grab some decent food except airplane crackers, I’m so glad to be home. Say it with me and click your heels: “There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home.”
I woke up this morning back on the ranch and so elated to be home with my Man and my boys. I sprung out of bed and grabbed this telephone-thick muffin cookbook and came across a welcoming title – Coconut Almond Joyful Muffins. I could use some chocolate today…in fact, I need some chocolate! Almond Joys are one of my favorite candy bars (Snickers, and Reese’s are my others) so this seemed like the perfect coffee house muffin to celebrate being home.
These muffins are reminiscent of the Almond Joy candy bar, but not nearly as sweet. The ingredients include chocolate, coconut, almonds and a cup of sugar. Even with all that sweetness, it wasn’t over the top sweet, but tasty – just the same. Muffins shouldn’t be overly sweet anways, otherwise it crosses over into the other realm of being a cupcake! I added more almonds to the recipe by including them in the batter. The recipe also calls for vegetable oil, which when I make these again I’ll substitute unsweetened applesauce for the additional oil.
Enjoy these for brunch or entertaining, as well as a welcoming treat to have throughout the week for breakfast.
- Used light/lite sour cream.
- Next time around, I’ll try substituting the vegetable oil for unsweetened applesauce for a more healthful version.
- Added a couple tablespoons of coarsely chopped almonds to the muffin batter.
- As I enjoy using nuts in my cooking and baking, I very generously garnished the top of the muffins with more slivered almonds.
by Camilla Saulsburyy
Makes 12 Muffins
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3/4 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup lite sour cream
1 cup sweetened flaked or shredded coconut
3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1-2 tablespoons almonds, coarsely chopped
1/2-3/4 cup sliced almonds (your preference as to how much to use for muffin top garnish)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line a muffin pan with paper liners.
In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder and salt.
In another bowl, whisk the sugar, eggs, butter, oil and almond extract until blended. Whisk in the sour cream.
Add the egg/sugar mixture to the flour mixture and stir just until blended. Fold in the coconut, chocolate chips and tablespoons of almonds.
Divide batter evenly among 12 muffin wells. Sprinkle with sliced almonds.
Reduce temperature of oven to 350 degrees and bake for 18 minutes or until muffins are lightly golden on the top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Transfer the muffins to a cooling rack.
Serve warm.
Store muffins in an airtight container.
Lizza says
Looking forward to making these. I might try substituting 1/2 cup of Whole Wheat flour 1/2 cup of white flour.
Emily @ eat.drink.run. says
These muffins look incredible!! They have some of my favorite ingredients! I was planning on making similar muffins this weekend, so now I’m definitely going to because yours look so good! 🙂
sippitysup says
…Almond Joys got nuts, Mounds don’t. That’s funny if you could here me singing it! GREG
Monet says
Oh! Almond Joys are my dad’s favorite candy bars. I made him almond joy cupcakes over the summer…I’m going to have to try these muffins! Thank you for sharing such a delicious recipe. I love the subs you made/suggested. I need to make some lighter sweet treats. And I’m glad you are home. There is nothing better! Hugs from Austin!
Alli says
Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t!
True story: I had a phase in high school where I ate a Mounds bar every day. It was ridiculous. Of course, if I tried to do that now, they would go straight to my hips. I miss having a fast metabolism.
I have almost all of these ingredients (I’m missing the sour cream, but I think I’m going to try using greek yogurt so I don’t have to drag my lazy butt to the grocery store), AND I have two hours of free time before I have to go to class, so this is definitely something I’m making right now.
And as usual, your pictures are amazing.
Karen says
Sorry to hear about your canceled class, Cristina. But I’m glad you are spoiling us with the recipe for these muffins. They are indeed joyful! 🙂
Pachecopatty says
I love New York;-) I will have to try this muffin recipe as they do sound wonderful. Your photos look beautiful and make this recipe even more appealing;-)
Joy says
I am in love with almond joys. I would eat the whole batch.
Magic of Spice says
Sorry that your workshop was cancelled but hope you had a great time sightseeing anyway 🙂 These muffins look fantastic, oh and apple sauce would be great add I bet. Hope you are having a great week
blackbookkitchendiaries says
this sounds very addictive! I am craving for some right now:) yum! thank you for sharing this.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
I’m sorry your NY trip didn’t quite go according to plan, at least it sounds like you were able to make the best of it and get some sight seeing in, I hope that also included some yummy food stops!
sarah says
These look wonderful! Definitely one for the keeper pile. Lovely post and photos. Glad you made it home safe!
Sasa says
I love using nuts in baking too – I always add a few more. A favourite is cardomom cake which is topped with pinenuts, not cheap but a lovely treat.
redkathy says
Have been to NYC in over twenty years! All I can about the last minute cancel is I thought that stuff only happened to me! The muffins are beautiful and right on time for you! BTW – did you hear my heels clicking 😉
Liren says
It’s always great to come home, I’m glad you made it back safe and started off your day with these muffins. Yum! I know I would love them!
Angie's Recipes says
wow my mouth waters just looking at the pictures…those muffins look heavenly!
5 Star Foodie says
The combination of almond coconut and chocolate sounds wonderful, such delicious muffins!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
I think New York City is so nice in the cold months. My family and I got stranded in a huge snowstorm there the day after Christmas, and boy was I wishing for California… but it made for a fun story! Anyway, I’m sure you’re glad to be home in the company of family again. I know I would be joyful, too, if I had these muffins in front of me! Thanks for sharing another delicious culinary confection, Cristina!
Lauren Grier @ Grier Mountain says
Christina – Thanks for checking out my blog! So sorry to hear about all of your layovers. Flying can be a pain in the butt. I am so excited to try out your recipes. They all look simply delicious. And btw, the pictures you take make me want to crawl through the computer screen and devour everything on the plate. Cheers!
El says
Muffins with chocolate chips and coconut? These look fantastic. I’m bookmarking this right now!
Victor @ RandomCuisine says
Love the pictures of these muffins. I’m so tempted to take one now. Almonds and coconut are such a great combo
sweetlife says
sorry about your calss being cancelled…a perfect pick me up, i love almond joy…i know I would devour these!!
sweetlife
Emily @Cleanliness says
You have taken muffin perfection to a new level!
briarrose says
Wonderful muffins…..love the coconut and almond combination.
Cakewhiz says
I liked your teenie notes on how these already gorgeous muffins can be made even better. Just like you, I am an almond lover so the more the better…hehe.
Alicia at AliGirl Cooks says
Your muffins look amazing! I love anything Almond Joy inspired. I can’t wait to try them!
whatsfordinneracrossstatelines says
Gorgeous photos as always, I saw your root veggies and wanted to say congrats yest, but my week has been getting away from me! My mom’s favorite candy bar is an Almond Joy, I will make these for her, she will be so excited. That’s too bad about your class, that must have been stressful. Hope this week is better for you.
-Gina-
Jean says
Welcome back from NY! I was there also at exactly this time last year and we got caught up in the middle of the freak storm they had. It was still fun, though. Glad you were able to do some sightseeing since you had all that time already.
As for these muffins, I know I would like them. I’ll admit that I didn’t have my first bite of an Almond Joy until last year! I think I focused too much on Snickers and Reese’s when I was a kid. Well, I love their almond-y, coconutiness so your muffins sound like a winner to me!
A little bit of everything says
Welcome home Cristina.
My favorite candy is Mounds but I can easily nibble on an almond joy too 😉
your muffins look so good and sound tempting. thanks for sharing