Almond Joy Muffins

Everyone loves a candy bar, right?  One of my favorites consists of coconut, almonds, and chocolate. I also happen to like muffins. Should I combine the two? Silly me--I already did! These are the muffins I cooked up last weekend:

Coconut-Almond Muffins with Chocolate Chips (aka Almond Joy Muffins)

Printable Recipe

Topping:

1/4 cup whole, unsalted almonds

1/4 cup flaked coconut

2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

Muffins:

2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 (6 oz) container coconut yogurt

1 egg, slightly beaten

1/2 cup coconut milk

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1 cup flaked coconut

1 cup mini chocolate chips

For the topping, place the almonds and the coconut in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the almonds are roughly chopped. Pour the mixture into a small bowl and stir in the chocolate chips; set aside.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. and line muffin pans with cupcake liners (there should be enough batter for 18).

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and sugar; set aside.

My real inspiration for making these muffins was a container of my husband's favorite flavor of yogurt...he wondered where his last one went. 

Combine the yogurt, egg, and coconut milk in a microwave safe bowl or large measuring cup. Microwave on high for 20-25 seconds or until the mixture is at room temperature. Stir in the melted butter and the almond extract. Add the yogurt mixture, coconut, and chocolate chips to the flour mixture and gently stir with a wooden spoon or a spatula until just blended. Spoon the batter into the lined muffin cups. Sprinkle the topping evenly over each muffin. Bake for 17 to 20 minutes, or until the tops spring back when lightly touched. 

I used a cookie scoop to put the batter in the cupcake liners.

The coconut and almonds turn a toasty brown in the oven.

Good to the last bite!

I'm really liking the addition of yogurt in my muffins. Next time, I'm going to try one of my favorite flavors--Fig and Plum. What flavor would you like to see in muffin form?