Lemon Coconut Duffins (GF/DF)

Are you bananas for doughnuts? So much so that you bake non-doughnut foods in doughnut shape because it makes it more enjoyable to eat? Well my friend, if that's the case, you have come to the right place.

I present to you - the duffin. One part doughnut, one part muffin, all parts delicious. This recipe was conceptualized during a pantry clean out. When life hands you lemons (and quickly ripening bananas), why not mix the two? These come out moist, have a bit of chew from the coconut, a perfect hint of tang, and are surprisingly not too banana-y.

You can dress these darlings up, or enjoy them completely nude (double entendres are my favorite literary device of all time). They are great to grab as a quick brekkie when you're on the go, but also can be loaded up with toppings - nut butter, yogurt, seeds, jams, just to name a few. Personally, I like to top them with Coconut Collaborative's lemon ganache yogurt (not sponsored, I'm just addicted) and some toasted coconut. 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup gluten-free flour
• 3 ripe medium-sized bananas
• 1/3 cup honey or Date Lady date syrup (or blend the two)
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 3 large lemons, zested
• 1/2 cup apple sauce
• 2 eggs
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease doughnut pan and set aside.
2. In one bowl, mix flour, baking soda, lemon zest, and salt.
3. In a larger bowl, mash bananas well. Add in honey/date syrup, coconut oil, apple sauce, eggs, and vanilla. Mix thoroughly. 
4. Stir in dry ingredients to the wet. Once all ingredients are mixed well, fold in the shredded coconut.
5. Fill doughnut pan and bake for about 15-18 minutes, or until done. Makes 12 duffins. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes:

* Doughnut have a doughnut pan? No worries! These can easily be made in a muffin tin, though the bake time will be a bit longer. 
* These duffins have a relatively strong lemon flavor - add or remove a one lemon's zest to your taste, or squeeze in a tiny bit of fresh lemon juice to add more of a zing.

Wishing you the zest,