As we approach Easter and, therefore, Good Friday, the timing is perfect to share these Hot Cross Carrot Muffins for March Muffin Madness. This recipe was created by Vicky of Gluten Free SCD and Veggie. Vicky’s muffins are a delicious way to enjoy a variation on Hot Cross “Buns” without all the work that many Hot Cross Bun recipes require.
Hot Cross Carrot Muffins from Gluten Free SCD and Veggie
These Hot Cross Carrot Muffins are gluten free, grain free, dairy free, refined sugar free, paleo, primal, vegetarian, and Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) compliant.
Enjoy learning more about Vicky and her Hot Cross Carrot Muffins and see the whole line-up of bloggers, blogs, and muffin recipes here.
Vicky Rockcliffe of Gluten Free SCD and Veggie
Vicky has been an inspiration to me and many others for quite some time. Much of the reason why is shared in her family’s story with the “why” and “how” behind their use of a gluten-free diet, the SCD to be exact, in a guest post earlier here on gfe.
Vicky also shared her family’s story in an excellent book Trust Your Intuition: 25 “Natural Medicine Confessions” from Influential Women Who Choose Healing Remedies for Their Families. I reviewed this book in advance of its publication. Here’s my comment below, which you can also find inside the front cover.
“I’ve always been a huge believer in the power of personal stories in setting others on the path to wellness. The 25 “Natural Medicine Confessions” shared in Trust Your Intuition are all very different, yet very similar. These women have used what they have learned to heal themselves and their family members. The results of their “mama bear” instincts coming out are simply amazing and inspiring!
While I’m already familiar with the benefits of dietary changes in healing and becoming our best possible selves, there was much more to learn from this book. I plan to reference these stories and the wisdom in them from this point on. Therefore, this book will be highlighted and notated, and “at the ready” at my home from this point on. Many thanks to all who so graciously shared their stories and what they have learned, so that the rest of us might benefit.”
Vicky’s such a welcoming, helpful presence in our gluten-free community and the online wellness community in general. Not only does she share her excellent grain-free, SCD-compliant recipes and guidance via her blog, but she also shares all kinds of gluten-free recipes that would be lovely for afternoon tea on her Facebook page, Gluten-Free Afternoon Tea.
Some of Vicky’s most popular recipes are:
And since we’re all about muffins this month, here are some of Vicky’s muffin recipes:
And now I’ll let Vicky tell you a little about herself before she shares her Hot Cross Carrot Muffins recipe!
A mother of three amazingly talented grown-up children, I live in West Yorkshire, UK. My passion for real food was sparked by my son’s recovery from Crohn’s Disease and though I initially created my vegetarian food blog as a recipe book for the family, I also hoped that it would reach other people following the Specific Carbohydrate Diet as well as gluten or grain free diets.
I am honoured to be included in this event amongst all these wonderfully talented recipe creators and can I take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to Shirley for hosting it and for her very generous time spent in bringing all these wonderful muffins to our table!
Gluten-Free Hot Cross Carrot Muffins Recipe
Hot Cross Carrot Muffins
These Hot Cross Carrot Muffins from Vicky of Gluten Free SCD and Veggie are a creative and a delicious way to get one's gluten-free Hot Cross Bun fix!
Ingredients
- 2 medium/large carrots (about 2 rounded cups not packed)
- 1 small courgette (zucchini)
- 250g ground almonds (or almond flour)
- 80g sultanas or golden raisins (or any dried fruit mix)
- Grated rind of 1 unwaxed orange
- 2 large organic eggs (extra large in the U.S.)
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil or warmed coconut oil
- 80ml honey
- 1 tbsp organic cider vinegar
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda (baking soda in U.S.)
- 2 rounded tsp cinnamon
- ½ rounded tsp ground ginger
- ½ rounded tsp mace (or nutmeg)
- ¼ rounded tsp allspice
- ¼ tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Set the oven to 170° C (fan/convection oven; 340° F) and place paper cases into a muffin tray.
- Peel and grate the carrots, at this point they weigh about 250 grams. Squeeze the moisture out with some paper towel.
- Slice a piece of the courgette into thin strips.
- Measure out the ground almonds, grated orange rind, sultanas (or other dried fruit), bicarbonate of soda, salt and spices into one bowl and whisk together with a fork.
- Measure out the honey, eggs, extra virgin olive oil and cider vinegar into another bowl and whisk together with a balloon whisk or fork.
- Add the grated carrots to the dry ingredients and mix together.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix quickly because the vinegar starts to react with the bicarbonate of soda straight away and this helps the muffins to rise.
- Fill the bun cases (muffin cups) to just over half full.
- Place two strips of courgette (zucchini) on top to form a cross.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes then turn down the heat to 160° C (320° F) for a further 10 to 15 minutes. They are cooked when a skewer inserted into the muffin comes out clean and the top springs back when lightly touched. Don't be tempted to open the door before 30 minutes.
- Leave on a cooling rack to cool.
Vicky’s Hot Cross Muffins Before Baking
By the way, if you are a fan of Hot Cross Buns, you might also want to check out my Top 25 Best Hot Cross Buns Recipes.
This post is linked to Hearth and Soul Blog Hop.
www.racicot.net says
yum yum yum! I wish I could eat this if it weren’t for allergies.
Laurel says
What a wonderful recipe. I absolutely adore all those spices.
Gretchen @gfedge says
Wow! So perfect for Easter – have not had a hot-cross anything in years + in love with carrot cake in all formats – will be making these by the weekend. Genius!
kinsey says
These sound wonderful
Susan says
As Gretchen said – these are perfect for Easter! This recipe is full of stuff that’s good for you in an attractive package!
Mackenzie says
O. M. G. These look amazing! I’m out of the country now with no access to ingredients like these but I cannot wait to return and make these muffins!! I’m craving one (plus four) right now!
patricia says
So good to get a carrot muffin using almond flour and they look so good !!
Linda S says
Oh these sound perfect! Can’t wait to try these. I love carrot cake and zucchini and all the ingredients in these muffins. Thank you! 🙂
susan reed says
Looks delicious! Great for snacks
Molly (Based on a Sprue Story) says
I love Vicky’s blog and these muffins are just as creative and delectable-looking as I’ve come to expect from her recipes! Such a cool way to handle the “cross” on top.
Cindy W. says
These muffins look delish. Thank you so much for sharing!
Amanda says
This is a really unique recipe – thanks for sharing!
Jamie says
I sure am enjoying Muffin Madness!
julie says
looks great! I love carrot muffins!
Venessa says
I love all the healthy ingredients!
Karen says
Sounds like a wonderful breakfast muffin!
Kelly says
These muffins sound and look amazing. I think I will make them for my job!
Katie says
Neat idea!
Sandra Earle Pearce says
I quite baking in the 80s when I ran across a tiny book (can’t remember the title) in a church bookstore that said give up wheat. I had been fighting a weight problem forever and had decided to give up dieting when I found this book. I decided to give up wheat and lost 70 lbs without trying. Gluten was not a public issue nor did the book mention it. Your web site and wonderful recipes gave me the hope that I could bake and more importantly eat treats again. Thank you
Teufelchen says
They look so delicious. i will give them try soon.
Carina says
I have never made hot cross buns, I’m so excited that I can now, and especially because they’re gluten free! Thank you!
Stephanie says
Looks great!
Erin says
What a cute idea!
Kay says
Look delicious!
Linda says
So clever! I love the baked-in cross.
Tessa@TessaDomesticDiva says
love your creativity Vicky!
Vicky says
Thank you Tessa 🙂
Cheryl Harris says
those muffins are quite elegant looking!
Wendy says
Another fantastic recipe! Can’t wait to try it.
Bev says
These would be great for Easter
sharon says
How great for Easter! I love all kinds of carrot cakes.
Susan says
Thanks!
Mary Tokar says
Another great recipe to try!
Karol says
I love this idea for a savory muffin. Looks delicious.
Lewann Rice says
Love this!
Laura O| Petite Allergy Treats says
Love all the vegetables in here!
tina says
These look so yummy. I am going to try them and hope my sons will eat them, bet they will!
Laureen says
These look interesting enough to try.
Melanie Binkley says
such a great idea!
Tamara Hamilton says
Healthy & delicious ✋ now I have that kids song in my head… You know, hot crossed buns
Tracy mann says
Yum! Also going to pin your rosemary garlic bread rolls and gingerbread men!
Ilissa says
this looks awesome!
Sarah says
Looks great!
Lori Lewis says
Love hot cross buns, these look pretty good. I like the zucchini on top – smart! Thanks for the recipe!
Lindsey says
Love the additions of zucchini and carrots!
April J Harris says
Vicky is such a lovely person and I love her recipes! Thank you for featuring her, Shirley, and this wonderful, easy, gluten free twist on Hot Cross Buns with us at Hearth and Soul. I’m excited to try this recipe! Stumbled and tweeted, and scheduled to share later today on the Hearth and Soul Facebook page.
April J Harris says
PS – I’ve also featured this post at Hearth and Soul this week, Shirley. Thank you so much again for sharing it!
Shirley Braden says
Hi April!–As you can see I’m playing catch-up again! LOL I so agree on Vicky; she is just the best! Her recipe is so creative and I really appreciate you sharing it all over and featuring it at your Hearth and Soul Party!
Hot cross buns for all! Happy Easter!
Shirley
The Ninja Baker says
Your son is lucky to have such a great mom. So glad I landed on your page thanks to April’s Hearth and Soul Party. Love your GF hot cross carrot muffins…and love to visit the Yorkshire area. P.s. I went to print your recipe but there were only dots and symbols. No words. P.s. 2. Pinning your perfect muffins and tweeting =)
Shirley Braden says
Hi Ninja Baker–Awww, what a sweet thing to say! Thank you so much! I’m with you on both these muffins and wishing to visit the Yorkshire area! 🙂
The print issue seems to be with certain browsers. It usually works fine with Chrome. I’ve recently updated my recipe plugin, but the plugin doesn’t have the capability to import recipes from previous plugins. That feature is coming soon though, and then all of this will behind me. Thanks so much for the social media sharing!
Shirley