GLUTEN-FREE CHOCOLATE-ZUCCHINI MUFFINS

This recipe says “muffin” but we think these should really be called“cupcake.”these are absolutely delicious, moist and rich, with none of the texture problems you sometimes have when baking gluten-free. We think these would make a great dessert.

We made these twice, once with the coconut flour as called for in the recipe, and once substituting 1 ½ cups of gluten-free flour for the ½ cup of coconut flour. Both versions were equally luscious. Most grocery stores are carrying gluten-free flours these days, so you should be able to find one, if not both, of these flours. Just be sure not to overbake the muffins since it can be hard to gauge when a dark chocolate muffin is cooked through. Start testing at 25 minutes just to be safe.

½ cup coconut flour

½ cup unsweetened dark baking cocoa ½ teaspoon coarse (kosher or sea) salt ¼ teaspoon baking soda

6 eggs

½ cup coconut oil, melted and cooled slightly ½ cup pure maple syrup

1 teaspoon gluten-free vanilla

1 ½ cups shredded zucchini ⅔ cup dark chocolate chips, 70% cacao or higher

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Place paper muffin cups in each of 12 regular-size muffin cups.

In a medium bowl, mix coconut flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda.

In a large bowl, beat eggs, oil, syrup and vanilla with whisk. Stir in coconut flour mixture until blended. Stir in zucchini and chocolate chips. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. The cups will be full.

Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes; then move muffins from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes. May be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days, or frozen for up to 2 weeks. Makes 12 muffins.

Per muffin: 256 calories (percent of calories from fat, 57), 6 grams protein, 23 grams carbohydrates, 4 grams fiber, 17 grams total fat (11 grams saturated), 94 milligrams cholesterol, 152 milligrams sodium.

— Adapted from a recipe in “Betty Crocker Best 100: Favorite Recipes From America’s Most Trusted Cook” (Houghton Mifflin, $25).