Coconut-Cranberry Muffins-CL-J/F/05

[Terrytx]

While these are surely good, there is no coconut taste that I can find-mostly lemon and some cranberry. For the calories and fat in these muffins, I think I would choose a different one. But mind you, these will get eaten:cool:

[susan_foster]

I have these on my list for next week - but I'm considering changing the fruit. I've been off of dried cranberries recently - do you have a suggestion of something that would work as well?

Susan

[cniles]

Ohhhhhhh Terry!!!! Did you get this online or do you actually have the magazine in hand?!!!!:)

[Terrytx]

Originally posted by cniles
Ohhhhhhh Terry!!!! Did you get this online or do you actually have the magazine in hand?!!!!:)

online

I really can't think of another good sub for the cranberries that would go so well with the lemon...apricot maybe.

[kimmer99]

Is there a way to search the recipes to see them by issue?

[stacy7272]

Originally posted by kimmer99
Is there a way to search the recipes to see them by issue?

In the search box type in the month and the year you want in quotations. For example "march 2004". For January/February 2005, I found the recipes by typing "january 2005".

[wallycat]

I had these on my to try list...maybe I will add some dried coconut.
Thanks for the review :)

[kimmer99]

Thanks Stacy, it never occurred to me to try that!

[pilgrim719]

Terry, I was curious if you noticed more coconut flavor on the 2nd day? Sometimes I find that certain flavors stand out more after the muffin has sat for 24 hours. Another thought I had was to use some coconut extract to boost the coconut flavor. It's a bit disappointing to hear your review, as I thought they sounded delicious when I first saw the recipe.

Kari

[Terrytx]

I haven't had another one yet, so we are still out on that, but the coconut extract or flaked coconut would be good if you want more cocnut flavor.

[JanetJ]

Made these this afternoon and they are a winner for us. The texture is excellent - a nice "crust" on the top and tender inside. The coconut flavor is very mild and I would probably include some toasted coconut next time, as I was wanting a little more pronounced coconut flavor. I skipped the sugar on top of the muffins and don't miss it at all. I think you could sub any kind of dried berry in this recipe and it would work. While these weren't as coconutty as I wanted, they still have a very good flavor and won't last long around here.

[rburganmckinley]

I just made these this evening. Very good! Based on all the comments about too mild of a coconut flavor, I substituted coconut extract for the vanilla it called for. I also skipped the sugar on top. They were great! THough I do think they'd be good with some toated coconut in them too. Definate thumbs up here! I will make these again.

[Andrea_2]

I thought these were pretty good too, but I was doing a bunch of things at once and accidentally overbaked them a little, so they ended up being a bit dry. I don't think I would've known that there was any coconut flavor in them if I hadn't made them. I like the idea of adding coconut or coconut extract. I think I'm going to make another batch to use up the coconut milk that I have left over, and see how they taste when not overbaked! I'll probably try the coconut extract with this next batch.

[Lynn B]

Thanks for the reviews and tips. These are on my TO MAKE list... and I think I'll use coconut extract and add toasted, flaked coconut to the batter. Mmmmm! I can't wait!

Lynn

PS Hmmmmm, is there any kind of good coconut liqueur out there that might be good in this recipe??!!! <hic!>

[Peggy]

Excellent muffins! I topped them with toasted coconut and they were great!

Peggy

[TerriAb]

Funny, I liked the sound of this recipe because it DIDN'T have coconut in it. I like the flavor of coconut, but hate the texture of it, so it'd probably be a winner with me. Unfortunately, I can't find light coconut milk. Where in your grocery store do you find it? I looked and looked and couldn't find it anywhere (of course, this was the store that had clam juice in the actual juice aisle - silly me, I was looking next to the canned clams for that one).

[Okiedokie]

Originally posted by TerriAb
Funny, I liked the sound of this recipe because it DIDN'T have coconut in it. I like the flavor of coconut, but hate the texture of it, so it'd probably be a winner with me. Unfortunately, I can't find light coconut milk. Where in your grocery store do you find it? I looked and looked and couldn't find it anywhere (of course, this was the store that had clam juice in the actual juice aisle - silly me, I was looking next to the canned clams for that one).

Terri, Look in the ethnic section of the grocery. I find it in the Asian food part, and there are several different brands. I use coconut milk, another kind of milk or juice, in cakes and other things, instead of water. It adds more flavor. Also, add a tsp. of coconut extract. My bunch is just like you. They don't like the texture of the coconut.

[sadie]

I made these the other day and feel they're one of the best muffins I've made, and I've made tons over the years. I substituted fresh cranberries for the dried and added 1/2 cup of dessicated coconut to boost the flavor. I didn't toast the coconut because I wasn't looking for any crunch in the muffin, just a bit more flavor. I also increased the vanilla to 1 teaspoon and the lemon rind to 1 tablespoon. For the topping I combined 2 tablespoons of sugar with 1 tablespoon of lemon rind and sprinkled that on all but two of the muffins so that I could do a comparison, and not only did they look nicer, I thought the crunchy sweet/tart topping was delicious. The juicy tart cranberries in the muffin contrasted well with the sweet coconut, and added moisture as well. The coconut flavor was very subtle but you could identify it.

[Sarah45]

These were the first recipe I made after this issue came out, I think I made them the next day! Now, I have to admit that I was very unimpressed. I have had much better cranberry muffins and what appealed to me was the coconut addition. When I couldn't taste it, I was disappointed. Suggestions for adding flaked coconut to the top and coconut extract are good ones, maybe I will try this recipe again with these additions.

[Okiedokie]

Hi Sadie, Thanks for that great review. :)

Sarah, there is also, a coconut oil, but I have never seen it in the stores. Maybe, someone else could tell us where we might buy it.

[gabbyh]

I never thought of using a bit of coconut oil...thanks for suggesting it...I think I'll sub a bit of the butter with coconut oil and see what happens...Here is the coconut oil I use, but not where I buy it:

http://www.smartbomb.com/golco.html

~Gail

[Okiedokie]

Gail, Thanks for the link. I just wonder if a person could maybe, find it at a health food store/nutrition center? It seems a bit pricey. How much would a person use of it?

[gabbyh]

It is expensive, but good...just make sure you get extra-virgin...I usually get it from mercola.com...I mix it in brown rice and it's delicious! I never thought to use it in baking till now!

~Gail

[Okiedokie]

Gail I just looked at their website, and according to this page it's supposed to be quite healthy for a person to use. I would have thought it would have tended to clog arteries, but not according to this. Mercola (http://www.mercola.com/forms/coconut_oil.htm)

Thanks for the info.:)

[bobmark226]

I did a pan of these yesterday as my stop-driving-yourself-crazy Sunday Treat. I used chopped dried apricots instead of the cranberries and I think I actually liked them more because of the switch as it gave them a nice summery feel along with the lemon rind. I was happy with the subtle coconut taste in the background and the richness it seemed to add and, for my tastes, anyway, I don't think I'd turn these into a "coconut" muffin although it would certainly make a great base for one. (I think macadamias would be a nice addition.) A definite repeater and very handy for all those little containers of coconut milk I have lingering in the freezer!

Bob

[sweetpea]

I made these this a.m. and agree with bob and think they make a great base recipe period! I, like others, didn't taste the coconut but i loved the overall texture/flavor. I am not into fluffy muffins so these were perfect for me as they are more dense...but then so is the amt of calories per muffin :D I used the leftover amt of milk to make a 1/2 recipe of the coconut chicken from the same issue..another yum!

[Spydee]

I too make these the other day for the second or third time but doubled the vanila by mistake and they were even better!!!

The vanila is not too overpowering, but is not be competing with another flavor for the principal role. Instead the other flavor is taking on a strong supporting role which makes for a better overall taste. (I cannot explain this very well, but IMHO they taste even better)

I, too, really like the texture of these muffins especially with a good cup of hot tea.

[akushner]

I loved these as well! I used regular coconut milk, and added some dried figs to the mix....these came out great. Very crusty top and a fluffy inside :-) I probably would add some coconut extract the next time...but one thing is for sure...CL has turned me into a coconut milk fanatic!