Happy November! Keep the pumpkin spice and apple cider coming.

It’s easy to overeat or overindulge as the weather gets cooler, but a healthy diet doesn’t involve skipping out on sweets entirely.

This healthy recipe for Apple Cider Muffins (or donuts if you’re a lucky foodie who owns one!) will satisfy your fall cravings without setting yourself back on your goals.

These donut/muffins are not only whole grain and low calorie, they are made with natural sugars (dates), have a healthy dose of unsaturated fats, and they’re vegan and gluten free! There is no reason for anyone to miss out on the holiday food fun, no matter their dietary preferences.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup apple cider
• 11 pitted medjool dates
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/4 cups oat flour

Cinnamon Sugar Coating:

• 1/4 cup stevia baking blend
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350F.
2. Add the dates, apple cider, and nut butter to a high speed blender. Blend on high until smooth.
3. Pour the date mixture into a bowl. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet. The batter should be very thick and sticky!If not add 1/4 cup more flour.
4. Line a muffin tin with silicon liners (or paper, if you’re less environmentally friendly). Spoon the batter into the pan filling each muffins cup to the top.
5. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
6. Mix together the cinnamon and sugar. Remove muffins from the oven and sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture on top. Feel free to drip some water on top, too, to make it stick better and turn into more of a glaze.
7. Enjoy! Keep in the fridge and coat with cinnamon sugar just before serving.

Nutrition info: (9 muffins)

Calories: 145 // Carbs: 26g // Protein: 4g // Fat: 5g // Sugar: 14g // Fiber: 4g