Sometimes Even Gwyneth Needs a Makeover – Banana Date Walnut Muffins

by Carilyn on May 13, 2015

Banana Date Walnut Muffins (GF, Vegan)

Banana Date Walnut Muffins

I bought Gwyneth Paltrow’s cookbook, It’s All Good, on a whim. I don’t follow GP’s blog, or anything, but was captivated by the book for two reasons: 1) the pictures are Gor! Geous!; and 2) she’s Gor! Geous! in the gorgeous pictures. She looks simply amazing – healthy, fit, rested. I want to drink whatever Kool-Aid she’s drinking (not that GP would ever touch Kool-Aid, but you get my drift).

Now I’d like to point out a glaring problem in that first paragraph. Please notice that, while I was discussing a cookbook, I made no mention whatsoever of the food. That’s because it is a gorgeous (did you get that yet?) cookbook with meh recipes. To me, the recipes require a lot of work (special ingredients, finicky steps) without a commensurate WOW! at the end. Uh, no thanks.

But, never one to let “healthy” get in the way of my cooking (or my love of a cookbook), I figured out how to jugge up some of GP’s recipes without completely turning them to the dark side. Think of it like giving a nun a tattoo.

This Banana Date Walnut Muffin recipe is one of my favorites. It didn’t need a lot of tweaking to make it yummy, but the few changes I made really up the protein factor, which for me is very important when I’m downing carbs. I hate a sugar crash and the resulting Buddha Belly.

This recipe is gluten free, dairy free and vegan. I like to eat these during a long, long run (i.e., when my pace is slower), or post run. They are not too sweet, but fun enough that you feel like you are still getting a treat – way better than a packaged bar. I slice them in half, toast them and slather them with peanut butter. Now they are perfect – and still good for you! Winning!

 

Banana Date Walnut Muffins (adapted from Gwyneth Paltrow’s, “It’s All Good,” cookbook)

2 cups gluten-free flour (I used Bob’s Red Mill)

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

2 overripe bananas

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

2/3 cup plus 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup (GP only used 2/3 cup but I think they need a touch more. Use your discretion. Riper bananas require less sweetener.)

2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk (see next item)

2 tsp pure vanilla extract (omit this if your almond milk is vanilla flavored)

1/2 cup pitted, chopped Medjool dates (about 6 large)

1/2 cup chopped walnuts (GP uses pumpkin seeds but I wanted the added benefits of walnuts – plus I think they taste better with bananas)

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Put 12 muffin liners into muffin pan.

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, combine the bananas, olive oil, maple syrup, almond milk and vanilla (if using). Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet, adding about 1/3 of the mixture at a time, until it is all well blended. Add the dates and walnuts and mix until incorporated. Fill the muffin cups evenly.

Bake for 25 – 30 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean (This can take a bit longer because of the olive oil. Check after 25 minutes and then continue to bake if the center is still moist.) Tops will get very golden brown.

When cool, slice in half and toast. Slather with good quality peanut or almond butter. Go run. Enjoy!

 

 

 

{ 3 comments }

Marcia May 13, 2015 at 1:42 pm

What’s up with a beautiful cookbook with marginal recipes?? I’m glad you improved upon it. These look delish. Wish I had one right now.
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Char May 13, 2015 at 6:34 pm

It’s a fairly common thing to find a cookbook which looks amazing but is pretty impractical. I was given one for my birthday which is quaint and quirky and filled with lots of personal stories but I don’t want to actually bake anything out of it. Ricky, the Dalmatian puppy, decided that the book looked good enough to eat and he did. And I’m really not sad cause I don’t feel obliged to try anything out of it.
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Kim May 16, 2015 at 6:34 pm

Love seeing your recipes!!
I’ve looked at Gwyneth’s cookbook more than once (I have a bit of a cookbook obsession) but still haven’t bought it because none of the recipes jump out at me!!!
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