Coconut and pineapple friands (gluten free)

Happy Tuesday - and boy did today fly!

I actually enjoyed a little sleep in this morning (to 6.30am *gasp*) as I had a 'different' form of cardio on the agenda after work. Any guesses?

Body Step! Oh how I have missed you my old friend.

Heading to the class after work, I was so happy to find out that Body Step is still amazing in all its heart pumping / leg smashing awesomeness. This class is definitely my favourite 'cardio' group fitness class (you can keep your Attack and Zumba...thanks x) although sadly it is only on at my gym once or twice a week (and at times that don't really suit). However, tonight Mr BBB was not available for a run so Body Step it was. And to say I loved would be an understatement!!

But now - from one sweet to another...

While my batch of macarons failed dismally over the weekend, I am pleased to report that the friands I made for mother's day worked just fine.

Actually, now I think about it, they were probably my favourite part of the lunch all together.

But when there is coconut and pineapple involved, how can you really go wrong?

The inspiration for these friands came from none other than my trusty Mystery Box...

Coconut!

Did you know? The coconut palm is known as the 'tree of life' in many cultures perhaps owing to the fact that it is useful in so many ways. From milk, to water to coconut meat, coconut itself is nutritious and rich in fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Some people believe that coconuts are so called due to early Spanish explorers calling them 'coco', which means "monkey face", as the three indentations on the hairy nut resembles the head and face of a monkey.

When I drew out this ingredient, I immediately decided that I wanted to make something sweet to serve at our Mother's Day lunch. Then, when I wandered past a local cafe and saw a display case filled with various friands, I was inspired.

And, while I probably should have gone in search of a whole coconut to properly embrace the spirit of the Mystery Box, I had a bag of shredded coconut in the pantry that needed to be used. So shredded coconut it was.

And so these coconut and pineapple friands came to be.

 

What I loved about this recipe was that it was very ‘one bowl’. Just mix…

Spoon…

     

And bake…

   

Then dust with a little icing sugar and you have the perfect sweet treat for afternoon tea.

 

Fluffy yet moist…

 

Delish!

Now I wonder what my next friand flavour should be????

Coconut and pineapple friands (gluten free)

These friands are the perfect sweet treat to serve for morning or afternoon tea. Gluten free, and packed with flavour, they can also be made in advance and stored in an airtight container for up to three days.

• 6 egg whites
• 150g butter, melted
• 1 cup almond meal
• 1 cup icing sugar, sifted
• 1/3 cup GF plain flour, sifted
• 1/3 cup coconut flour, sifted
• 150g dried pineapple, chopped
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut plus extra

1. Preheat oven to 180C and lightly grease a friand pan.
2. Whisk egg whites in a large bowl until foamy. Add butter, almond meal, icing sugar and flours, pineapple and coconut, and stir until well combined.
3. Divide among friand pan, top with a little extra shredded coconut.
4. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
5. Allow friands to stand in the pan for 5 minutes before turning out on a wire rack to cool.

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Day 20 - MOVE it, TONE it, DRINK it

*20 days down – and 10 to go! Still going strong, although getting enough water in each day is continuing to be a struggle for me?!

• MOVE it – Body Step (1hr)
• TONE it – Sit ups 150
• DRINK it – 1.5L

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What about you? Do you have a favourite group fitness class? What about a favourite friand flavour?

Happy Baking :)