I was devastated when my doctor recently informed me that I must switch to a gluten-free diet, likely for the rest of my life. While I no longer partake of flour-based goodies (I do still bake them for my job and for friends.), I’m learning to adapt and develop naturally gluten-free treats that don’t use highly processed gluten-free flour blends.
I was craving one of my pistachio raspberry muffins, so I swapped the traditional all-purpose flour for nut flours instead. Finely ground almonds can do wonders as a replacement for AP flour, and rice flour just adds a bit more texture. Finally, pistachios and raspberries balance each other with tartness and nuttiness. Enjoy and happy baking!
Gluten-free Pistachio Raspberry Muffins
Adapted from a recipe in The Afternoon Tea Collection by Pamela Clark
1 dozen
4 oz. (½ stick) butter, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 eggs
2 cups almond flour*
½ cup pistachio flour*
½ cup rice flour
1 tsp. baking soda
Pinch of kosher salt
1 cup raspberries
2 Tbsp. coarse sugar
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
• In a large mixing bowl, use an electric hand mixer on high speed, beat the butter and granulated sugar together until soft and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium-low and add the vanilla and the eggs 1 at a time until combined.
• And the almond flour, pistachio flour, rice flour, baking soda and salt. Use a spatula to combine, than gently fold almost all the raspberries, reserving a few to top the muffins.
• Evenly divide the batter among the muffin cups. Top each with the remaining raspberries and sprinkle with the coarse sugar.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes, until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out with a few crumbs attached. Let cool completely before eating.
*Almond flour and pistachio flour are available at Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods.
This article appears in July 2016.
