Naturally Sweetened Pink Valentine’s Day Muffins (Toddler Approved!)
These healthy, naturally sweetened muffins are perfect for littles at any time of the year. But especially make for a great, healthy Valentine’s Day treat for kids! My toddler loves these naturally sweetened beet & raspberry muffins for breakfast or a snack. And adding a little strawberry heart on top makes them extra festive and special! This recipe can easily be made dairy or nut free too. Modifications are provided in the recipe.
Healthy Beet & Raspberry Valentine’s Day Muffins Recipe
I was looking for a healthy muffin recipe to make for Lucy this Valentine’s day and couldn’t really find anything that sparked my interest. All the recipes I was coming across called for white sugar. And while my girl loves muffins, I don’t love her having refined sugar.
So I started fooling around with a few different toddler-friendly muffin recipes. And after frankensteining a few together while adding my own modifications, this recipe was born!
Introducing my naturally sweetened pink Valentine’s Day muffins!
These toddler-friendly muffins are quick and easy to make. Plus they include whole ingredients, fruits and…veggies!
Using Beets & Raspberries To Naturally Color Muffins Pink
These healthy Valentine’s Day muffins use beets and raspberries to naturally colour them pink.
You’ll need one medium-sized beet and 1/4 cup of fresh or frozen raspberries. If using frozen berries, be sure to thaw them first.
Grate the beet. Then add it and the berries into your muffins mixture. Next, blend using a high powered blender, like a Vitamix. You definitely want to use a high powered blender in order to make the grated beets smooth. You could also use a food processor. I really love the Ninja and it’s a good price too!
How To Naturally Sweeten Muffins
These healthy toddler-muffins are naturally sweeteened with the help of dates! Of course, the raspberries add to the sweetness as well. But it really is the dates that make these pink Valentine’s Day muffins delicious.
You’ll want to use pitted and chopped Medjool dates. I like this organic brand by Terra Delyssa. Next you’ll soak the dates in warm water before blending. This helps get the batter nice and smooth.
If you are in a rush (as we often are with little ones), try boiling your kettle and using that water to soften the dates. It will speed up the process. Your dates should be ready to blend within 5 minutes.
Otherwise, you can just use warm water and let the dates soak for 15-25 minutes before blending.
How To Make The Strawberry Hearts On Top Of The Muffins
This step is totally optional. But it does make these pink Valentine’s Day muffins feel extra festive! Plus your kids will probably love it.
It’s really easy to make strawberry shaped hearts.
Simply take your strawberry and slice it down the middle. Then cut off the stem.
Next, place the flat side down on the counter. Now use a small, sharp pairing knife to cut it into the shape of a heart.
You could use a heart-shaped cutter like this stainless steel one. But I actually find it works better to just cut them out by hand because of how small strawberries are.
Whole raspberries also make great topping options. For a different look, sprinkle a bit of extra grated beet on top.
Naturally Sweetened Pink Valentine’s Day Muffins (Toddler Approved!)
I hope you make this healthy Valentine’s day treat for your kiddos! And if you do, let me know in the comments how it turns out.
I answer all comments and love hearing from you.
More Toddler-Friendly Recipes
- Healthy Blender Pumpkin Pancakes (Toddler Approved!)
- Easy Vegan Borscht Soup
- Easy Everyday Garlic Hummus
Naturally Sweetened Pink Valentine’s Day Muffins (Toddler Approved!)
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Total Time: 45
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These healthy Valentine’s Day muffins are full of whole ingredients, fruit and…veggies! Your littles will love them for any occasion.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Mejdool dates softened
- 1/2 cup mashed banana (approx 1 large banana)
- 1/4 cup of fresh or frozen raspberries thawed
- 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup of smooth nut butter (I like peanut but almond works too!)
- 1 medium-sized beet grated (approx a 3/4 cup)
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 cup of whole wheat flour
- 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
Instructions
1. Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Grease your muffin tin and set aside.
2. Begin by soaking the pitted & chopped Mejdool dates in warm water until soft (approx 5 minutes if using boiling water and 15-25 if using warm water).
3. To a high-powered blender, add softened dates, mashed banana, raspberries, Greek yogurt, nut butter, grated beet and vanilla. Blend on high speed until all ingredients are well combined. You shouldn’t see any remainders of the dates or beets. This make take a few pulses and require you to stop, mix batter with a spatula and then start the blender again.
4. Transfer the batter to a medium-sized mixing bowl. Then use a spatula to gently combine in the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Mix until well combined.
5. Spoon batter into greased muffin tins. Then use a spall pairing knife to cut strawberries into hearts. Gently place one on top of each muffin.
6. Bake muffins for 30 minutes. If your oven runs hot, check after 25 by putting a toothpick into the middle.
7. Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
8. Enjoy for Valentine’s Day or any occasion!
Notes
- Substitute nut butter for seed butter if looking to make nut-free
- Substitute Greek yogurt for plant-based Oat yogurt or apple sauce if looking to make dairy-free
- Alternative toppings to strawberries include raspberries or additional grated beet on top
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can i use pre-cooked beets for this?
Absolutely!