Labor Muffins

Ingredients

• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 tsps baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1 1/2 cups apple , peeled and grated
• 1/2 cup walnuts or pecans, finely choped
• 1 large carrot , finely grated
• 1/4 cup finely chopped dates or raisins
• 4 eggs , lightly beaten
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 3/4 cup coconut oil , melted and cooled but still liquid
• Zest from 2 large oranges
• 1/4 cup blackstrap molasses
• 1 tsp almond extract
• 1 cup honey

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two 12-cup muffin tins with cupcake liners; or spray each cavity with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, sift all the dry ingredients and mix well. Stir in the grated apple, nuts, carrots, and dates.
3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, squash, coconut oil, orange zest, molasses, almond extract, and honey. Mix until smooth.
4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients; mix well. The batter should be stiff; if too stiff, add in a bit of milk or orange juice to thin out.
5. Fill each cupcake liner 2/3 full with the batter. Bake for 22 to 26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of a muffin comes out clean.