They are nutty, moist, dense, and airy – all at the same time. They are the ultimate vegan Christmas muffins, without or with cream, although I prefer with cream. Everyone loves these, from the young to the old. Originally made with coconut oil, you can substitute with grapeseed oil as both versions taste good.

Ingredients

40 g Seebergerwalnuts
60 g Seebergerblanched almonds
40 g Seebergerhazelnuts
140 g whole grain flour (not too coarse)
1.5 tsp baking powder
0.5 tsp baking soda
sea salt
1 organic orange zest, finely grated
40 g peeled fresh ginger, grated
140 g peeled, very ripe bananas
240 ml almond milk
120 g coconut oil or grapeseed oil
75g light muscovado sugar
75 g dark muscovado sugar
150 g soft dried Seebergercherries

To decorate
Coconut cream for whipping*
Seebergersoft dried fruits and nuts
fresh rosemary

Prepare

Preheat the oven to 190°. Place paper muffin liners into 12 muffin cups or oil the cups with coconut oil. Place nuts into a blender and blitz until they obtain a fine, flour-like consistency. Place into a bowl together with flour, baking soda and powder, zest, and sea salt.

Put the bananas and ginger into the same blender, and blend until they are like a silky mousse. Put into a bowl, add oil, milk, sugar, and mix with a hand whisk or fork until smooth. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the moist ingredients and mix just until incorporated – don’t over mix. Add the cherries and lightly mix in.

Pour batter in the prepared muffin tin, place in the oven (one level below the centre), and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. When done, remove and cool 5 minutes in the pan. Transfer to a cooling rack. Cool completely.

Decorate

Whip the coconut cream until the desired consistency according to manufacturer’s instructions. Place on the muffins and decorate with nuts, berries, and rosemary, which not only looks beautiful but gives a very festive aroma.

* I use coconut whipping cream that must be refrigerated before whipping; it already has some sweeteners and vanilla. You can also use other vegan whipping cream.

Recipe and pictures: Signe Meirane
In cooperation with SEEBERGER
Camera: Sony Alpha 7s

Nut and cherry Christmas muffins. vegan