Walnut Date Muffins

Smells like Heaven, tastes like Heaven. I cannot wait to have one of these muffins for breakfast. It'll be my motivation to wake up early. And yes, I do realize that these are technically Fall type muffins and it is now Spring (YAY!!); but, I have been obsessed with the combo of dates, molasses and pumpkin spice. Plus, it's still cold with snow on the ground outside where I am, so totally justifiable in my opinion. 😜 Let's be serious though, I'll be making this combo all throughout the Spring/Summer whether it be in a smoothie, a homemade Vegan creamsicle or some nice cream. Can't wait! 

FYI - This makes 6 muffins. 

Dry Ingredients: 

• 1 cup all purpose white flour 
• 1/4 cup coconut sugar
• 1 1/4 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon 
• 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice 
• 1/4 tsp salt 
• 1/8 tsp baking powder

Wet Ingredients: 

• 1/4 cup + 3 TBSP soy milk 
• 1/4 cup of date syrup (recipe posted below)
• 2 TBSP molasses 
• 2 TBSP olive oil 
• 1/2 cup of walnuts 

Preheat oven to 375 F. 

Date Syrup: 

• 1 cup of pitted dates (soak in hot tap water for 10 minutes)
• 3/4 cup of water 

Put the above ingredients in a high powered blender or food processor and blend until smooth. Since you'll have some left over I suggest you use it to make a frozen banana - date - almond butter - cinnamon smoothie(s) with soy milk. It's delicious, trust me. My go to smoothie. You can also use it to top off some pancakes. 😋😋

While you are waiting for oven to preheat, add dry ingredients to bowl first, followed by wet ingredients. Stir the batter until it is all blended  together (a few bumps in the batter are ok), then fold in the walnuts. If you are not using muffin liners make sure to oil the muffin tin prior to adding batter.  Add batter to muffin tin and do not exceed 3/4 full. Before putting them in the oven, I also topped each muffin with crushed walnuts. 

Once oven is preheated, bake for approximately 20 minutes. A good way to tell whether or not your muffin is done is to stick a knife in the middle of the muffin, if it comes out clean, it is done. 

Let muffins sit until cooled and then remove from pan.

Final step is to enjoy!!