I’ve been working on the flavors and texture of this muffin by incorporating some favorite ingredients. I toiled what to call them because there are several ingredients that should be featured in its “name”, but just how long can the name of a muffin really be? The stars are the tangy, mini-citrus kumquats with its equal counterpart, the chocolate chunks, that share in the top billing. However, the other ingredients should be featured and given its fair due too, as without them, it would just be another muffin to gaze over.
So what makes the features of this muffin unique?
- Kumquats
- Dark Chocolate Chunk
- Cardamom
- Coconut
- Honey
- Oats
There’s even room for one more ingredient that would surely add to its goodness, pecans or walnuts. I’m having fun with kumquats. I don’t have many left from the stash I found weeks ago in an unlikely market to be carrying them. I may make one more visit to see if I can bring more home. There’s some ideas spinning around in my head in using them in some savory dishes and some beautiful, seasonal salads.
- If you don’t have whole wheat flour, you can substitute with 1 cup of all-purpose flour. Decrease the milk to 1/3 cup.
- Cut the kumquats in smaller chunks. The fruit is tangy and it’s more complimentary in the muffin in smaller pieces, paired with the chunks of chocolate and the flavors of cardamom.
- The coconut and nuts are optional, but they really add to this flavor-packed recipe. This recipe still makes for a delicious and fragrant muffin without them if you have allergies.
- Test for doneness towards the end of baking time.
Makes 10 Muffins
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup old-fashion oats
1/4 cup coconut, shredded (optional)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup honey
1/3 cup low-fat milk + 1 Tablespoon low-fat milk
1 egg, room temperature
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, coarsely chopped (optional)
8-10 fresh kumquats
3/4 cup dark chocolate chunks
Turbinado or Raw Sugar for topping
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Prepare muffin pan by using non-stick spray or paper liners.
Prepare the kumquats
Gently rinse the outside skins and remove any small stems from the ends. Slice in half, lengthwise. With each half, slice in three equal parts from the short-side. You should have a total of six small chunks/pieces from each kumquat. Remove the seeds using the end tine of a fork; careful not to unnecessarily scoop out the flesh and juice.
In a large bowl, mix the flours, cardamom, salt, soda, oats and coconut. Set aside.
In a medium-sized bowl, mix the sugar, honey, milk, egg, butter and vanilla. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients (if you are using nuts, add them here), blend until incorporated. Do not overmix.
Using a large-sized cookie scoop, evenly divide the muffin batter into 10 muffin wells.
Place about 4-5 pieces of chocolate chunks into each muffin well, evenly distributing and pushing the chocolate into the batter. Repeat this using the kumquat pieces. Smooth batter over where you pushed the chocolate and fruit to completely cover them.
Sprinkle about 1/3 teaspoon of turbinado/raw sugar on top of each muffin.
Bake muffins for about 15-18 minutes, rotating pan halfway through baking time. Use a round wooden toothpick, inserted into the center of a muffin to check for doneness.
Remove from oven and allow to cool on a wire rack. Serve warm (not hot – the kumquats will be hot!). Store leftovers in the refrigerator and slightly warm as needed.
On another note…remember the Dark Chocolate Mousse (two S’s) with Sugared Kumquats in Syrup that was featured on Teenie Cakes a couple of weeks ago? I mentioned my search for a kumquat tree… We are now proud parents of a 5 gallon Nagami Kumquat tree. Wish me luck that we’ll see some fruit in the next years. 🙂
Chris says
Came across your recipe using cumquats after picking a bag of them from my parents tree. I agree with all your followers that the combination of chocolate cumquats and cardamon sounds very yummy. But I have a question. I have pureed my cumquats so I do not have any whole fruit (and my parents’ tree is 6 hours drive away!) so I was wondering how much puree would be the equivalent of your 8-10 whole cumquats? I will definitely try them in chunk form next time I am able to pick some more.
Thanks for any advice.
Cristina says
Hi Chris: I haven’t puréed kumquats or have used it that way. The size of the kumquats is a consideration if you are experimenting and want to somehow substitute it for the chunks used in these muffins. If you’re planning to use it puréed in baked goods you may have to account for the added moisture and acids you’re adding as it can change the texture depending how much you add.
Couldn't Be Parve says
These sound amazing! I absolutely love the combination of kumquats and chocolate but never thought to add cardamom. I am going to try these as soon as I get some kumquats from my parents’ tree. We also have a 5 gallon new kumquat tree but so far my son has eaten all the kumquats we’ve grown, certainly not enough to bake with. Thank you for the wonderful recipe!
Mamas Gotta Bake says
What a great pairing of flavors. They look delicious and I love your photos too. Thanks for sharing!
Roxana GreenGirl says
Hi Cristina,
It may have been my end or just a small technical problem with your site but I could not leave a comment of your blog last week 🙁
I’m happy you found a kumquat tree and can’t wait to see how it is going to grow and hopefully soon you’ll share more delicious desserts like these amazing muffins.
I love muffins and these sound irresistible, now, if only I find some kumquat fruits .. sigh..
Mindy says
WOW. These look and sound amazing. I’m moving to your house.
Magic of Spice says
What a glorious combination of flavors! These look amazingly decedent 🙂
Sandra says
So much flavor in these. Bet your kitchen smelled amazing!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
Definitely a appealing combination! I’m all for chocolate and spice.
Spice Sherpa says
You so completely rock! I pop kumquats like candy but have never baked with them. You’re a genius. And the cardamom…perfect pairing. I’m inspired to add a #21 to my list of 20 Flavors for Cardamom.
Monet says
Hi Cristina…my goodness, these look good. I love kumquats, but I haven’t baked with them before. Thank you for sharing this delightful morning (or anytime) treat.
Parsley Sage says
Gooooorgeous recipe. That’s a pretty amazing flavor combo with the chocolate and the kumquats. Your photos are stunning as well 🙂 Buzzed!
Lilly says
I love the little chunks of chocolate! I am growing some citrus trees as well. They are still very very small, but hopefully they’ll survive. Good luck with yours!
Samantha says
There aren’t a lot of kumquat recipes and ideas. I enjoyed your two recipes using kumquats and look forward to more with your new tree.
Tina (PinayInTexas) says
WOW! Those cupcakes look so heavenly! And with all those ingredients, I’m sure they taste so delicious!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen says
Oh yay, you got a kumquart tree! I may have to follow suit soon.
Juliana says
Cristina, the ingredients in these muffins are awesome…love the kumquat and chunky chocolates.
Hope you are having a fantastic week 🙂
chinmayie @ love food eat says
That is awesome! All the flavors sound great!! cardamom, coconut and honey sounds amazing!!
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
What beautiful muffins! And there are so many ingredients in them but everything is well balanced. I love it. My grandpa’s yard used to have kumquat and we used to pick and eat. It will be a great match. Looks yummy!
redkathy says
Oh these are over the top in both sight and taste! my husband would fall in love with these being a huge fan of kumquats. Absolutely amazing 🙂
Enjoy your week 🙂
Maris (in Good taste) says
These look like the perfect muffin!
Tina@flourtrader says
Nice baked good using kumquats-not many recipes around that use them. I like that fruit and the muffins must taste amazing with the added chocolate and cardamon flavors. The close up picture is very tempting.. Well done-yum!
RavieNomNoms says
What an interesting combination…they look divine