The fabulous Deb at Smitten Kitchen posted a recipe for Double Coconut Muffins recently, and while they do look wonderful exactly as is, she did say the recipe has a high potential for adaptation. That’s all I needed to hear!

My boys all love pina coladas. We are strictly a milk and water family, so if there is ever juice or soda in this house, you know we’re having a party. A few summers ago, we brought Logan’s friend on vacation with us to Vermont, and at every restaurant, he would order a (virgin) pina colada. Seven days on vacation = a lot of pina coladas. Nate and Andrew quickly picked up this pina colada habit, and since Mean Milk and Water Mom was on vacation, she let them have a few.

The following September, Andrew started Kindergarten. And when asked what his favorite food was on his All About Me worksheet, he drew a pina colada, complete with umbrella and ornamental pineapple chunk. Proud Mom Moment right there.

These muffins are great for breakfast. They are sweet but really not too sweet. In fact, if you are looking for a Starbucks or Panera style muffin, this recipe isn’t for you. There is only 1/3 of a cup of white sugar in them, plus one cup of drained pineapple. I love that this recipe uses coconut oil which is so good for you (blahblahblahDrOzsayssoblahblahjusttryitokay?) and while I frequently use coconut oil to make popcorn or to stir fry, I have never baked with it and I was excited to try.

The thing about coconut oil is that it is solid and needs to be warmed up before using. I like to think of it as high class Crisco. Just scoop it out and warm it up in a sauce pan until it’s liquid. Make sure it’s not too hot before adding it to the other wet ingredients. (And please ignore all the clutter on my counter top; just keeping it real.)

Pina Colada Muffins, adapted from Smitten Kitchen’s Double Coconut Muffins

1/2 cup coconut oil
1 1/4 cup  all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1/2 cup full fat Greek-style yogurt, at room temperature is best
1 cup canned crushed pineapple, drained well
1/3 cup granulated white sugar
1 large egg, at room temperature is best
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 Tablespoon rum (optional but good)
3/4 cup sweetened shredded coconut, divided

Preheat oven to 375°F. Either grease 10 muffin cups with butter or coconut oil, or line them with papers.

In a small saucepan on medium low, warm your coconut oil until it melts. It should still be on the cool side. Remember, too warm will coddle the egg, and then…yuck!

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and salt. Stir 1/2 cup shredded coconut. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg, sugar, coconut oil, pineapple, rum, yogurt and vanilla. Stir into dry ingredients until just combined. Divide batter among prepared muffin cups then sprinkle the top with remaining 1/4 cup coconut, about 1 to 2 teaspoons on each.

Bake until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Transfer muffins to a rack and let cool.