Hazelnuts are a favorite of mine, whether for baking or for savory dishes. Their earthy, somewhat sweetish flavor, and their creamy texture, elevate any dish they are added to. So, it was no wonder I ended up using them when I was preparing to bake some simple banana-lemon muffins, and wanted to give them an interesting twist.
I chose to pair the hazelnut flour with spelt flour, as it also has a nutty flavor which enhanced the one of the hazelnuts. To have another layer of hazelnut flavor and texture, I also topped the batter with lightly roasted chopped hazelnuts.
To add some fruity sweetness and color to the muffins, I added a mix of dried cranberries, golden and dark raisins to the batter, along with a hefty amount of lemon zest.
All these flavors worked well together, in these moist and aromatic muffins. They are perfect for serving on a weekend brunch or lunch, or as a light snack any time of the day. Try them and enjoy.
Makes: 24
Prep time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
1 stick (115 grams) butter
½ cup thick yogurt 2% fat
½ cup whole milk
¼ cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup sugar
2 L eggs
Finely grated zest of 1 large lemon
½ cup mashed banana (from 2 medium)
1¾ cup spelt flour, sifted
2 tsp baking powder
Dash salt
1 tsp vanilla paste
¾ cup whole hazelnut flour
¾ cup mix of dried cranberries, golden and dark raisins
For topping:
1 cup lightly roasted and coarsely chopped hazelnuts
Lemon icing (optional, click HERE for instructions)
1. Line two muffin pans with 24 paper baking cups. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C).
2. In a small bowl, mix the yogurt, milk and lemon juice, and let it sour for a couple of minutes at room temperature.
3. Melt the butter and pour into a large bowl. Let cool a bit, and add the sugar, eggs and zest. Whisk well and add the mashed banana.
4. Add the yogurt mixture and whisk together. Add the spelt flour, baking powder, salt and vanilla, mix and add the hazelnut flour. Mix in the dried fruits with a spatula. Divide the batter between the baking cups. Scatter the chopped hazelnuts on top.
5. Bake for 30 minute, until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out almost dry (the muffins are meant to be moist.) Transfer to racks, to cool to room temperature before serving.
This looks yummy!
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Thank you! The muffins disappeared in no time! 🙂
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Haha, I can believe that!
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🙂
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OK… love hazelnuts… is this muffin a dense crumbly one… or light… *(like the dense ones)
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They are on the dense/moist side. 🙂
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Love banana bread… so I must give this a try… thanks for the recipe… (Happy New year!…)
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I hope you’ll like them. Happy New Year! 🙂
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Love the pairing of hazelnuts, banana and lemon with cranberries, nice combination. The muffins look awesome!
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Thank you Nisha, I’m glad you liked the muffins. This combination was very tasty. 🙂
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Looks good (:
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Thank you Yolanda. 🙂
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I absolutely love hazelnuts – my favorite nut! And I love all of the dried fruits in these muffins. I do not understand the lemon. But then, you’re the real Chef, and I’m sure these are wonderful!
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Thank you Mimi, I’m glad you liked the muffins. I love pairing lemon – or any other citrus – with nuts. I find it cuts the fat and gives another layer of fresh flavor. But I’m a citrusholic, so no surprise there! 🙂
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These are truly delicious looking! Give me hazelnuts in any form, and I love that you used them in several ways reinforcing the flavor. These must be filled with texture!!!! Can’t wait to try them!
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Thank you Dorothy, I’m glad you liked the muffins. They are definitely made for anyone who loves hazelnuts. Despite the large quantity, they didn’t last long! 🙂
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In my house it is called “No keeping quality”
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lol 😀
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Hazelnuts are one of the three most popular nuts grown in Michigan so for me they are often a substitute for other nuts – you really don’t see them listed in recipes that much! Banana is always good to add for the moisture, cranberries for color and flavor and of course citrus – what would we do without it 🙂
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Thank you Judi, I’m glad you liked the muffins. Hazelnuts are so tasty, I’m always surprised people don’t use them as much as other nuts. You’re lucky to get fresher ones!
Couldn’t agree more about citrus fruits – can’t imagine cooking without them! 🙂
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Hazelnut is unique and worth searching for, that’s for sure. 🍂
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Couldn’t agree more! 🙂
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Awesome! Love the nutty & fruity flavours in these beautiful muffins.
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Thank you Megala, I’m glad you liked the muffins. They were very tasty. 🙂
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Gotta try these they look awesome!
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Thank you Josie, I’m glad you liked the muffins. They were very tasty. Hope you’ll enjoy them. 🙂
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Ottimi
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Thank you! 🙂
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These look amazing and Hazelnuts are one of my favorite nuts too 😀
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Thank you Myra. Hazelnuts were wonderful in these tasty muffins. Need to make them again soon! 🙂
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Looks amazing
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Thank you Aletta! 🙂
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This is such a unique combination of flavours! I should try lemons and bananas together now
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Thank you Stella, I’m glad you liked the recipe. This combination is very tasty. I hope you’ll enjoy it. 🙂
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Love love making muffins and this sounds so delicious. I will be making this soon
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Thank you Chelvi, I’m glad to hear. Hope you’ll enjoy these tasty muffins. 🙂
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Love these muffins, such a delicious combination.
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Thank you Neetha, I’m glad you liked the muffins. They were delicious. 🙂
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Wow! Looks delicious!
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Thank you. 🙂
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You’re very welcome!
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I love hazelnut in baked goods! These muffins look very yummy!😋
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Thank you Ursula, I’m glad you liked the muffins. They were so tasty, with a pronounced hazelnuts flavor. 🙂
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Yes please. It looks so good.
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Thank you Paul. 🙂
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Wow, these muffins look so yummy! 😋
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Thank you Christina. I’m glad you liked the muffins. They were very tasty. 🙂
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I’m sure they were!
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They look scrumptious! Love the flavor combination
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Thank you Sandhya, I’m glad you liked the muffins. They were so tasty! 🙂
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That sounds bliss!!! 😍
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Thank you! 🙂
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This looks amazing
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Thank you! 🙂
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