There was originally no intention of posting this AMAZING Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Muffin topped with a Honey Frosting and crushed pecans. But after I accidentally leaked the photo on Facebook with my lack of experience on Instagram, I realized it was time to get my butt in gear typing. With that, I present you with this delicious recipe. You can skip to the bottom if you like, but I know most of you come for my witty humor and horrible grammar so I am going to fill you in on some important life events that have taken place lately. I will tell you about those after the picture, just so you can drool slightly.
Ok so there is some HUGE news in the world of George, and I have some awesome friends to thank for kicking me in the ass to do it. I have already served a very long and hard 10+ years of active duty service in the United States Marine Corps. I am happy to say that I feel as though I have served my time, but there are bigger and better things for me out there. I still have a little over 18 months left but after that I am leaving the one thing I have had consistently since I was 17. I am going to give up my place of comfort and guarantee, for a world of unknowns where I can hopefully work to help make this world a better place.
I was just kidding. There totally isn’t another paragraph. Just one more sentence telling you that I hope you enjoy these, and if you like them please come back and rate them and leave me a comment.
Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Muffins - Honey Frosting
Ingredients
Muffins
- 6 large eggs
- 1/4 cup raw honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 tablespoons 1 stick unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 3/4 cup coconut flour
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- small pinch of sea salt
- 1/2 cup enjoy life chocolate chips
Honey Frosting
- 1 cup palm shortening
- 3/4 cup full fat coconut milk chilled (only the thick stuff, not the water)
- 1/4 cup raw honey
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- orange zest for garnish optional
- crushed pecans optional
Instructions
Muffins
- Preheat oven to 375 fahrenheit and adjust rack to middle position
- Line muffin pan with muffin liners
- Whisk eggs, honey, vanilla, butter, and applesauce in a large mixing bowl or use a stand mixer
- Sift coconut flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt over a medium bowl
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and whisk until well blended
- Fold in chocolate chips ensuring an even distribution throughout your batter
- Spoon batter into muffin cups and bake for 16-18 minutes, or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean
- Remove the muffins from the oven and let cool
- Once cool you can head below and make the frosting to go with them
Honey Frosting
- Combine palm shortening, coconut milk, and honey in a stand mixer or mixing bowl and beat on low for 20 seconds
- Scrape down the sides of your bowl and then beat on high for approximately 60 seconds until your frosting thickens
- By hand, fold in your cinnamon and other optional ingredients ensuring an even distribution
- Once your muffins have cooled, frost them to your liking
- Enjoy
Notes
***Recipe adapted from Deliciously Organic‘s guest post on my site for Raspberry Almond Muffins. Carrie is a genius in the kitchen as well as an accomplished cookbook author. When you get a chance, head over to her site and try any of her amazing dishes***
Raspberry Almond Muffins
Hi, I tried making this frosting and while mixing in the mixer (i might have mixed for too long on)it separated and looked mushy and liquidy.I put it i the fridge over night and in the morning it looked the same except rock hard. does anyone know how to fix this?
Its like the woman said below, the coconut milk and the palm shortening didn’t mix well. I used the thick fat from organic canned coconut milk and organic palm shortening as well as a couple tsp’s of alcohol free Vanilla and 1/4 cup of honey. This is for my daughters 1st birthday today so PLEASE HELP!
Yes it separated from being mixed too much
Hi. Would the frosting work with chilled coconut oil instead of palm shortening? Also, how sweet is the frosting? Thanks.
Not at all. It will turn into a whipped cream, it won’t be the same texture as frosting…
The muffins look great (haven’t tried them yet) but am I missing something on the frosting? The coconut milk didn’t really mix into the palm shortening. Did I get the wrong kind of coconut milk? I’m new to paleo and this is my first time even buying coconut milk.
Did you buy canned coconut milk?
Hi George
thank you so much for putting up this awesome website. I love your recipes and your enthusiasm! I made these muffins with coconut oil and they turned out great. I used 4 tablespoons like you suggested. thanks again!
You’re so welcome.
Hello! M
y Mom recently introduced me to this website (we’re working on going paleo). I’m totally planning on making these muffins in mere minutes, (I’ve made your banana bread–it was awesome!) but I just wanted to make sure you are aware of all of the problems surround the palm oil industry. I would be very cautious recommending the use of palm shortening or any palm fruit oil products in your cooking, because even if they are organic, it doesn’t mean they were harvested sustainably. The specific brand linked above appears to be ethically harvested, but please make sure that all palm oil products you use are (and that your subscribers know to do their research too)!
The palm oil industry is in the top 4 industries for human rights violations (up there with gold, diamonds, and apparel). Slave and child labor are used on these plantations, and they are largely responsible for the unlawful and unsustainable amounts of deforestation in southeast Asia. I’m part of a group at my school that tries to spread awareness about this issue. Please visit our website if you want more info! http://www.facebook.com/csupalmoilcommittee
I love your recipes, just please be a conscientious consumer! :)
This is where I’d put that chocolate coffee frosting.
Hi Geoge-
Just came across your site and it’s awesome! Thank you! Question- for this recipe do you have another option to make this dairy free instead of the butter?
Thanks,
Liz
Hi Liz! Definitely. Try making them with equal parts coconut oil instead :)
hi! I love your recipes!
with this one however, are you sure the baking powder and soda are the correct amounts?
my batch came out very dry! :(
I got my batch in he oven ASAP after I mixed the batter together (with the coconut flour).
Hmm they work every time for me
Ryan, if you are at a higher altitude you may need to increase liquid (apple sauce) amounts by about 1-2 tbsp. I moved from sea level to northern bc Canada and had to adjust all of my recipes that were previously successful before I moved. Another thing I find useful with anything that uses gluten free flours is to let the mixture sit for a few minutes before cooking that way the flours have time to absorb the liquid before backing make them a little less grainy and dry after they come out of the oven.
Hey George! how’s this for an idea? you can travel all over and stay with people in exchange for some paleo cooking classes!!! you can come stay in Montreal, Canada with us…. lots going on in this beautiful city during the summer …
I will keep that in mind :)
yeah sounds like a good idea. i’m in Niagara Falls, Canada. You can come cook, maybe I could teach you a thing or two. Then we can go shred the local trails!
I made this… tasted awesome… I haven’t done the frosting yet, as I don’t have any palm shortning… anything I could sub there?
Thanks so much for all these recipes… I’m in love!!!
You could just make a coconut milk frosting using the thick stuff from a refrigerated can of coconut milk and whip it
I made these & the muffins turned out super yummy. I made the frosting and erred in some way. I used a hand mixer and it immediately became kind of like cottage cheesy texture. I thought maybe after the 60 sec on high it might improve, but it did not and it seperated with part clumpiness and part wateryness. I used fat only from full fat coconut milk, organic palm oil shortening, and raw honey. Any idea how I might have goofed?
Hmmm Candra I have no idea, that has never happened to me. Could have been the coconut milk :(
The same thing happened to me. I put all the frosting in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds and it came out perfect.
I have been craving something breast and sweet and this totally hit the spot! I haven’t tried it with the frosting yet, but the muffin alone was fantastic and I imagine the frosting only makes it better. Thanks for sharing!
Breast=bready … Gotta love auto correct
You are so welcome Kate. Breast is a good thing in food apparently haha
I have these in the oven now. I HAD to try earlier this week because they looked so delish and did not have applesauce on hand, so subbed pumpkin puree and they were great. Kids loved them and they were close in taste to a family favorite “conventional” recipe, so big hit! Thanks for the recipe.
You are so welcome Rana
Can you use Ghee for the butter?
Yes you can
Thank you for sharing. I just made these using 4 1/2tbsp Coconut oil and they came out quite dry. Other than that, taste was good.
What happens if you let coconut flour sit? I’ve been using it for while and haven’t had any trouble.
It will continue to suck up as much moisture as it can and change your recipe
This has nothing to do with your recipe, I just wanted to say “thank you” for your service to our country.
:)
Thank you so much Angie :) Your welcome
Are you saying to only use the fat on the top of the coconut milk and not the entire mixture? I am a bit confused!
Thank you,
Yes that is what I am saying
Do you use the full-fat, canned coconut milk? If so, how many cans do you need to use to get 3/4 c of the thick cream? And what do you do with the “watery” part afterwards? Thanks.
Yes full fat canned, and one can will get you 3/4 cup off the top. For the water that’s left I normally drink it haha.
Thank you so much Michelle, you just made my weekend with this wonderful comment :)
I live in Norway. Will you come here for a week and cook for me?
I wish I could Marianne :)
Made these yesterday and they are AMAZING. So delicious, they don’t even need the frosting! (Truth is I had no palm shortening, but the chocolate chips make these sweet enough). Texture is perfect. Thank you sooo much!!!
You are so welcome Jacque :)
Hey, can’t wait to make these! ALso wanted to make sure you are taking advantage of all the transition services the USMC has to offer you. As you prepare for that move back to the civilian world, they can be a wealth of information. If you don’t feel like you are getting the answers you need, email me and I will hook you up. Knowing what your benefits are and being prepared are so important! Best of luck!
Thank you
These are sooooooooo good! Nom, nom… i didn’t even put frosting on them!
This recepie looks so good, but I am from Norway, and I have absolutely no idea where to get
Palm shortening!? Do you have any suggestion to what I could use instead? I have tried to order from foreign internetsites, but they often don’t ship to Norway:(
Love your blog! I made the garlic chicken once and absolutely loved it!
Camilla,
Thank you for commenting. Palm shortening is also referred to as vegetable shortening. You can also make it with just the thick coconut milk whipped heavily.
Oh my, these look so yummy! Can’t wait to try them!
Side note, I was going to add you on Instagram to stalk… I mean look at your gorgeous photos of food, but it says the user is set to private?
I am not private on Instagram. Username is Civilizedcaveman
Yeah it must’ve been a glitch, I realized Instagram was acting up in general, when I tried again a few hours later it worked :)
Awesome
These look so delicious, can’t wait to try! Who knew a Ziploc could help make them look so pretty :-) Just wanted to say you are an awesome guy, thanks for all you do for those of us in this wonderful Paleo community!
Thank you so much for the message Alicia. I do what I can and will continue too.
I was so looking forward to making these! I am pregnant and trying to stick to my grain free diet, which has been a huge challenge as I crave carbs! Anyhow, I broke down and made these the other day, and I hate to say it, but I was pretty darn disappointed. I followed the recipe exactly, they had to cook for about 5 minutes longer than it said, but that was no big deal. They just didn’t taste good, and fall into the category of “why bother???” eat a piece of fruit and call it a day… Maybe if I’d made the “frosting”??? But I still think you are great and you can’t win them all…
I use to stalk your blog religiously :) (not in a creepy way… I promise) but then my computer crashed and I lost all the websites I had saved… and let’s just say they were saved because I wasn’t about to memorize URLs for every website I visited all the time! Anyway, I’m glad I have finally found yours again and these are exactly what I have been craving- can’t wait to try them!!!
Welcome back Victoria. I am glad to have you stalking me again. I feel flattered. Just remember civilized caveman :)
I’ve made these twice, once with butter and once with coconut oil. I used 1/2 cup of coconut oil instead of 1 cup of butter and it turned out great both times!
Thanks so much!
You are so welcome. I am so glad you like them :) btw I love the name of your blog
Doesn’t the coconut milk separate when chilled? Should I shake it up before use?
You only want to use the thick stuff at the top of the can, I will specify in the recipe
Thank you for the excuse to buy that palm shortening i’ve been wanting to try. ;) As soon as I have some these will be mine. Yum! :D
Woohoo, enjoy
Good luck with going back to school, it can be scary, but if you are pursuing something you truly believe in, it will be worth it. Recipe looks great, another addition to my post workout collection.
Can’t wait to give these a try – thanks for sharing! :-)
Your welcome, I hope you love them
Hi George,
This looks yummy. Is this a variation of Carrie Vitt’s (Deliciously Organic) grain free blueberry muffin? THe basic ingredients are the same w/a few changes, and the addition of frosting?
Karin
It is actually a mixture of a few of my recipes and yes parts of hers too.
Congrats on deciding to go back to school! I went back for the second time when the recession started and it was the best decision I ever made. My advice would be to enjoy this time and don’t get behind on your homework.
Thank you, I won’t :)
I found your website last week and I love it!
I just made these this morning without the cinnamon but added the cocoa powder (I’m not a fan of cinnamon and chocolate-weird I know) and my kids and I love them! (Didn’t frost them today) Topped mine with a blob of almond butter and it’s all I can do to not go have another right now-Yummm! I love to bake and am just venturing into trying a few paleo treats so I don’t always have to bake and then say no because they don’t fit into my efforts to eat cleaner. I will definitely make these again. Thanks!! (Making your pineapple spicy chili tomorrow-can’t wait!)
Thanks for stopping by. I am so glad you love them and hope you enjoy that chili. I know it is my favorite chili :)
Thank you Katie
Everything about these muffins is so appealing to me! I love that they’re gluten free with warm cinnamon flavor and they honey frosting on top probably sets off all the flavors!
Julia this is by far the best “paleo” treat I have made. I loved them
Making these right now, just curious as to the brand of coconut flour you use. I only have access to Bob’s Red Mill, and it seems anything I make with it I end up having to add more liquid. (I’m going to try reducing the amount of flour next time). The batter was very stiff, almost to the consistency of cookie dough. I will know in another 10 minutes or so how they turned out though!
They came out OK. I honestly think its my brand of coconut flour, and not the recipe though. The tops cracked and there is that post-coconut flour feeling of having no saliva in my mouth, but the flavor was yummy!! Please let me know what brand of flour you use, I’m going to see what I can order online because this one just isn’t cutting it!
Judy the only brand I use is Tropical Traditions, it is the one I linked in the recipe. Just click on coconut flour and it will take you straight to it
Thank you, I will give them a try. I always read comments and follow ups to recipes before I try them, and I’ve seen I’m not the only one that has this issue with Bob’s red Mill CF.
As an aside… My 5 year old loved the muffins, she had them for breakfast this morning :) My husband, who dislikes coconut alotether, had 2 with his coffee!!
Oh Judy that is awesome. I love when kids love my recipes. Hope you enjoy many more
In the oven now, smell a.m.a.z.i.n.g! Must. Wait. 10. More. Minutes….
Forgot to post it, ate them without frosting- ALL us kids agree they are fantastic!
Thank you for a healthy-ish lightly sweet treat, press on!
So glad you all loved them, I appreciate the feedback :)
In the oven now, smell a.m.a.z.i.n.g! Must. Wait. 10. More. Minutes….
Make sure you pull them out when they are slightly soft on the middle. I love mine like that. Please let me know how they were
nicely done! way to make paleo treats actually look tasty, can’t wait to try it.
Thank you Jen. I’m flattered you read my blog. Thank you so much
Let me know how you like it
Congratulations George on new life adventures and if you ever find yourself needing to visit Dallas, GA, I’ll happily turn my kitchen over to you!! :-)
Thank you so much Patty for always being so kind
Congrats on going back to school!! I know it’s a ton of work and it takes some gumption to get it done, so that’s really awesome. Also wanted to say that I love your blog and use it as a resource often. Thanks for what you do!
Thank you for all the support
Thank you for sharing this recipe…we’ve been paleo/primal for 18 months and my 13-year daughter is mourning the loss of baked goods (still!). I will definitely be adding this to our list of recipes to try…soon.
Congratulations on making a decision to start the next step on this adventure called life. I will tell you from experience that college as an adult can be really rewarding and you will actually learn things. (You will also, unfortunately, learn that a lot of professors aren’t experts and that a lot of what they “teach” isn’t anything you’d want to know! But, isn’t that part of learning? Being able to separate the valuable from the useless?) Anyway, be bold and have fun.
Thank you Erin I hope you enjoy
Sarah I am going to school for emarketing. Figured it was right up my alley haha. I hope you enjoy
You have shared such incredible information, personal triumphs and tribulations, and joy with all of us who love to follow your journey. You have all of our support and best wishes for whatever comes your way after your time with the Corps comes to an end. Enjoy it!
If you’re really doing a “George will come cook for you for a week” giveaway SIGN ME UP.
…and with that, I leave you with this:
EAS: Can’t Stop the Clock! ;)
Thank you Annie. I appreciate all the support
George,
Amazing news! Semper Fi, brother! It’s a different life out here away from military. Some good, some bad. But I can guarantee you will always remember your time in fondly, and you will forever miss it in some way. But, as you Marines are always “First on the beach”, let the PaleoVerse be your next beach! Lead onward with the same dignity and honor we’ve come to know you for.
Damn the grains, Bacon-speed ahead!
Thank you so much for your support and kind words. I love the bacon speed ahead
Hi George,
Thanks for all that you have done and continue to do to inspire others as well as making this world an overall better place. Congrats on enrolling in college! I will be a new student after many years too! I wish the best always.
Holly
p.s. Can’t wait to make these for my Paleo skeptical college son!
Thank you Holly
Wow these look fantastic! I don’t really need anyone to come cook for me for a week(although a break is always nice), but I would REALLY love for you to come do my dishes for a week! I will even put you up in my guest room!
Oh I don’t like dishes
Wow! These sound wonderful!
***pinning***
Congratulations on your decision to ETS, George! Fantastic! My husband served eight years active duty in the US Army and received a medical discharge. Leaving the only life that you’ve known for so long is a very scary thing, and the transition from military life to the civilian world can be tough. Your trepidation is certainly understandable, but I gotta say: GOOD FOR YOU!!! I look forward to reading the chronicles of your journey and eating the crap out of the delicious recipes you create along the way. You’re definitely a difference-maker in this world, I can’t wait to see what you accomplish once you ETS!
Thank you so much Colleen
Mine came out nothing like yours. It’s like the 1cup of coconut flour is way too much??? Any advice???
They taste good however, I just wish they looked better and weren’t so dry.
Ok I will adjust to 3/4 Cup but I had another make them successfully. How dry were they?
Lisa after I gave this some more thought, maybe your oven temperature is innaccurate. I had two others make these and both were moist and successful. I would try again and reduce your cooking time or check the temperture of your oven
I think you’re amazing! Good for you for doing what you love, sharing your recipes and going to college! I love reading your blog. I’m trying really hard to convert to paleo, but am having a hard time with being married to a junk food junkie. I have only made your chocolate coconut cake and loved it so much I shared with my in-laws who absolutely LOVED it! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Thank you so much. It is awesome to hear you are trying and everyone loved that recipe. I hope soon you can start and bring your family with you
Hi George, this is Ute from FastPaleo.com. :) I’m doing a one year challenge, during which I cook all meals from FastPaleo.com. You can read all about the challenge on my blog. http:grokettesprimalmusings.blogspot.com. Now, I really want to try these muffins! Think you could upload this awesome recipe to FastPaleo? Pretty please!!!
I’ll share this on my FB page too. It’s just too delicious looking.
Ute I may upload it for you and James in a few weeks after a post a few more recipes
I can totally live with that. :) Thank you!
And congrats on going to college. That is fantastic news!
I hope you make them and love them
So, I totally love your blog, and most of your recipes, but I have to play devils advocate for a minute here… I did the math on these and, as written each “muffin” has 277 calories, 22g fat and 11 g sugar. I’m thinking if it looks like a cupcake and tastes like a cupcake….it isn’t really that good for you. And I would never say you shouldn’t ever have a treat, but I think some people just see that all the ingredients are “paleo” so that makes it a health food. I’m not trying to be critical, just give people something to think about.
Malissa you are totally correct. I have talked at length before about how all my grain free treats are meant to be eaten in moderation just like any other indulgence. My goal is to give people options so when they need a treat they dont reach for the gluten laden dessert or overly processed overly sweetened crap. These are 100 times better given the quality of all the ingredients. And jus so you know I completely agree with you. Thanks so much for loving my blog
That is true, it is so much better nutrution-wise than anything you buy from the store – but it should still be an occasional indulgence! That being said, my daughter requested that I make these for her birthday, and I will.
And I have never told anyone that these are ok to eat whenever they want. I have written in the past things like this are only treats and people don’t read it. People are going to eat however they want, I am just providing options for way better choices
And we appreciate that. I think anyone who pays much attention already knows that “paleo treats” are just that…treats. When I make baked goods from paleo ingredients, they always go in the freezer to help avert future “failures.” I find it easier to avoid the slippery slope to crap food with these type of alternatives. Thanks George! And good luck in the next phase! I have a similar degree…you’re already ahead of the curve with your experience.
Thank you Jenn
If I win said George come cook for you giveaway, does that have an international component? Japan has some good fish & seafood….
Haha we shall see. That would kind of be expensive
Thanks so much for sharing your awesome recipes. My husband and I are transitioning to a different way of cooking and eating! Your recipes have been so helpful and encouraging…and yummy too!
So glad you enjoy. Keep up the great work
I was wondering when you would post this after your accidental leak ;) . i’ll try them tonight and post on instagram in a bit. Thanks!
Can’t wait to hear :)
Thanks once again for another amazing recipe George.. I get the feeling a cookbook may well be in your future once the active duty comes to an end. I KNOW it’d be up there with the paleo best sellers.. Couldn’t fail to be given the number of my friends that swear by your recipes!
I spent last night trawling the internet for anyone that sells palm shortening in Australia (at the time it was for Against All Grains “real deal chocolate chip cookies”).. Sadly, I had no success at all.. So it was definitely a case of mixed emotions today to find you’ve posted these mouth watering looking muffins that also call for it.. :-)
The only seller I can find (that will ship to Aus) is one of your favourites – Tropical Traditions.. Sadly their shipping costs are prohibitive $75 – $100+ (regular -> express).. Factor in the cost of the shortening and $100+ for a tub would make for a very expensive batch of muffins!
Butter seems to be the recommended substitute in most things (with a few draw backs) but I suspect it would ruin the frosting..? Anybody have any thoughts on a combination of fats us poor Aussie’s can use as a replacement?
Thanks once again for all your time and efforts.. Your recipe’s are some of my family’s staples..
Cheers,
Steve.
Thank you so much for the comment Steve. I am sorry to hear that it is so expensive to ship to you. You can make a coconut whipped cream using the fat off the top of the can which would still be delish. Give that a try
Steve I was just informed that softened butter at a 1:1 ratio will work to replace the palm shortening according to Paleoparents.com
Thanks for the quick reply – and the tip.. From what I’ve read butter will work – but it tends to make things crumblier (in terms of cookies and the like).. I guess for now that’s the best I can do.. For a laugh, I tried Tropical Traditions again just to make sure I hadn’t mis-read things…
1 Gallon Organic Palm Shortening – 112 oz. $23.59
Estimated Shipping Costs
Shipping options for items shipped from our warehouse in Nevada
Express Mail® International ($95.34)
Priority Mail® International ($75.60)
Global Express ($152.64)
:-)
Steve have you tried looking on amazing. Spectrum makes a pa shortening and amazing ships internationally cheap
Hey thanks for checking further.. Above and beyond the call of duty :)..
I’m assuming autocorrect mangled Amazon into Amazing? I found a 4 pack of Spectrum on there that “DailyMarket” will ship internationally.. but they want $130.37 for the shipping..
(So works out at $47.14 for a 24oz container..)..
I’ll keep hunting – someone out there must be able to get it to Aus for less..
Once again thanks for trying to help..
No worries, wish I could help more
The recipe looks wonderful – I am saving it. Even though I’ve not made it (yet), I wanted to write and say that I think you are a great example of what we humans SHOULD be – and I am not talking about the physical (you have that, too), but, rather the altruistic bent that runs through all that you do. Thank you – for your service to our country, and, moreover, for your service to your fellow people (what you do here on your site).
I wish you much success, where-ever you may head next.
Thank you so much, I am flattered
These look amazing! I have all the ingredients… making them ASAP! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Aileen you may be the first one, please come back and let me know your thoughts
THANK YOU for a recipe that is without nut flour! I freakin love it! Oh and thank you for being awesome too! Hope that i win that contest ;)
Your welcome and we will see :)
My wife is allergic to coconut, what would be another suitable substitute for the coconut flour?
There is no direct substitution for coconut flour. It would have to be a whole other recipe period. I just added it to my to do list to make an almond flour muffin
But I have not had much luck with almond flour. I like the reciepes with almond butter. I also and not use coconut any thing.
Im totally going to make these (in mini form minus the frosting) for my sons first day of preschool! They look delicious! Thanks :)
Hope you enjoy