My husband and I have been eating my protein muffins at breakfast for going on three years. They are all delicious and I can make some of them in my sleep at this point. However, where’s the fun in that? I decided to try to come up with a Mixed Berry Protein Muffin version and I think that I nailed these yummy, gluten free muffins that are perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. The berries burst with flavor and a touch of cardamom and lemon zest.

While it is still berry season, I actually preferred to use frozen berries in my Mixed Berry Protein Muffins and added them only at the last minute. This prevented the berries just getting all smushed as would likely have happened with fresh berries.

Because berries – even frozen ones – are more perishable than the muffins using dried fruit, I suggest either freezing the muffins or refrigerating them until you are ready to eat. Refrigerator muffins only require a quick zap in the microwave to bring out all of the deliciousness.

You can, of course, choose to use just one kind of berry here, but why would you when you can enjoy them all. The recipe also calls for one ripe banana. While it didn’t affect the flavor, the banana did add richness and potassium to the muffins. For me, one muffin carries me all morning. My husband eats one along with yogurt.

Don’t get scared off by the relatively long list of ingredients. Since I bake all of the time, most things are already in my pantry. And there are no weird steps to follow. Give them a try.

RECIPE

Yield: 12 standard muffins

INGREDIENTS

1 1/3 cups mixed frozen berries

1/3 cup of cottage cheese

Generous 1/3 cup of pecans, lightly pan toasted

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Zest of one large lemon

2 cups of super fine almond flour (I like to use a mix of natural and blanched, but use what you like)

1 medium ripe banana, peeled and smushed

2 teaspoons chia or hemp seeds or a mixture

1 rounded teaspoon of ground cardamom

2 Tablespoons peanut butter powder

1/2 cup of vanilla protein powder

scant 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

3 large eggs

1/4 cup brown sugar (I like dark but you can also use light brown sugar)

1/4 cup refined coconut oil, melted and cooled slightly

DIRECTIONS

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.

Either grease or line a standard muffin tin with parchment liners

Using a large bowl, mix together the almond flour, peanut butter powder, protein powder, cardamom, salt, baking soda, baking powder.

In a medium bowl, mix the smashed banana with the cottage cheese, lemon zest, brown sugar, eggs, and hemp/chia seeds. The mixture will retain a few lumps and that’s fine. Whisk in the melted coconut oil. Once everything is incorporated, add the wet mixture to the dry mixture. Fold it through until there are no dry patches, but try not to overmix. Now add in the frozen berries and fold through.

Using a 1/4 cup or two-tablespoon scoop. fill the lined muffin cups to the top. Scrape the bowl and you will have just exactly enough to fill 12 muffin cups. The muffins mixture can be slightly rounded if you have enough. I like to spray between the muffins with a vegetable spray to prevent any sticking if there is some overage while baking.

Pop the muffin pan into the oven and bake for 6 minutes. Leave the oven closed and then turn the heat down to 375 degrees F. Continue baking anywhere from 11 to 13 more minutes. Ovens vary. The tops should be rounded and golden. Allow them to cool in the pan for about 12 minutes and then remove them to a cooling rack to finish cooling. After that, you can place them in plastic bags or Stasher bags in your fridge or freezer. When you are ready to eat, I microwave mine for 12 seconds. Again, machines can differ, so find what works for you. If it is coming from the freezer the timing would be different. Since I haven’t frozen these yet, I can’t say how long it would take to warm them, but I am guessing about 18 seconds. Let me know in the comments. You can also defrost them the night before or while you are getting dressed and then warm them.

Do try them. You won’t be disapointed.