Carrot Cake Muffins for Runners

September 17, 2014

When I’m training for a race, I need healthy carbs to keep my energy levels up. I love these Carrot Cake Muffins that have no added sugar or dairy. I made them this week, and they are so delicious. I like to eat them with a protein smoothie or Greek yogurt for breakfast or as a snack in the middle of the day. They even make for a nice little treat after dinner. My Carrot Cake Muffins were inspired by these Carrot-Date Cupcakes I first saw in Runner’s World. I removed the icing and substituted ground flax seed for the wheat bran. They are delicious and will be a hit for everyone in your family.

Carrot Cake Muffins on runladylike.com

Ingredients

  • 1 cup medjool dates, pitted (be sure to use fresh dates from the produce section, not the ones that come pre-packaged in the dried fruit section)
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 ¼ cup of whole wheat pastry flour (I use Bob’s Red Mill brand)
  • 1/3 cup of ground flax seed (I use Bob’s Red Mill brand)
  • 1 ½ teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 ½ cups of shredded carrots (1 large carrot grated yielded 1.5 cups for me)
  • ¼ cup canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Boil 1 cup of water in a small saucepan. Once the water comes to a boil, add the dates. Turn the water off, and allow the dates to soak in the water for about 15 minutes.
  • While the dates are soaking, mix the whole wheat flour, ground flax seeds, pumpkin pie spice, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Set aside.
  • After the dates have soaked for 15 minutes, add them (along with the remaining water in your saucepan) to a food processor. Puree the mixture until it turns into a paste.
  • In another bowl, lightly beat 2 eggs. Add the pureed date mixture, shredded carrot, canola oil and vanilla extract. Stir until blended and smooth.
Carrot Cake Muffins on runladylike.com
  • Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Stir until combined (do not over stir).
Carrot Cake Muffins on runladylike.com
  • Pour the mixture into greased or lined muffin cups.
  • Bake for 20 minutes. Yields 10 muffins.
Carrot Cake Muffins on runladylike.com

Do you have a healthy muffin recipe you love? Share it and link to it in the comments below. If you try my Carrot Cake Muffin recipe, let me know what you think.

Comments

Matt @ TheRunnerDad

I can’t wait to try these out! Thanks for sharing!

rUnladylike

You bet, Matt! Please keep me posted on what you think if you make them! Happy running and eating!

rUnladylike

Both of these recipes look amazing, Kim! Thank you for sharing them. I can’t wait to try them out, especially the tangerine cranberry yogurt muffins! xo

Staci

I struggle finding new foods I like that are healthy for breakfast and a muffin…count me in!

Karen Poole

I can’t wait to try these out!

Lacy @ Running Limitless

These look so yummy! I have the hardest time finding a recipe that is healthy that also actually tastes good. Looking forward to trying these and hopefully loving them.

rUnladylike

The dates add calories, but all the ingredients are clean and good. I actually just had one as a snack. So yummy. Enjoy!

elizabeth

i need to flip back through that cookbook again! gonna make these this weekend along with a new pumpkin spelt muffin recipe i think…yours look sooo good!

rachel

I love carrot cake anything! these look super tasty!

wattsnext

Has anyone tried it with almond flour and coconut oil?

rUnladylike

I haven’t tried that combination yet but I bet it would work great. Love both your suggestions!

wattsnext

I was also thinking of adding 1/2 cup of pumpkin and just 1/2 cup of water.