Review and Giveaway: Tropical Traditions Coconut Flour

I may be a kitchen enigma but while I could do without cooking, I actually do enjoy baking. Of course, who doesn't love some warm, straight-out-of-the-oven goodies? I can always count on Tropical Traditions to add a delicious, seasonal flair to my baked goods. From their virgin coconut oil and coconut cream concentrate to their coconut flakes and organic raw honey, I'm always impressed with the quality and taste of their products. So, naturally, I was excited to try out their Organic Coconut Flour.

Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Flour is derived from the fiber of the coconut meat after most of the oil has been extracted to make Virgin Coconut Oil. It is certified organic, gluten-free, unsweetened and untreated. It is high in dietary fiber and protein, making it a great substitute for traditional grains or wheat-based recipes. And because is contains natural sugar from the coconut meat, you'll need less sugar added to your recipes!

After perusing a number of recipes, I decided to make some fruit-filled muffins as a breakfast treat for Nate and I.

Gluten Free Strawberry Coconut Muffins

Servings: 6-12 muffins
Preparation: 10 minutes

• 1/2 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 tsp Himalayan salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 6 eggs
• 1/3 cup raw honey
• 1/3 cup coconut oil
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup strawberries, fresh or frozen, chopped

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a small bowl, combine coconut flour, salt and baking soda.

In a large bowl mix the eggs, honey, coconut oil and vanilla until well blended. Mix dry ingredients into the wet, blending with a hand mixer or by hand. Gently fold in strawberries.

Place batter in paper lined muffin tins and pour batter in about 1/2 - 3/4 full.

Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. Take them out and let them cool and serve topped with Strawberry Cream Cheese (optional).

These muffins were mmm...mmm...good! Spongy texture and just a very mild coconut flavor, which accented the strawberry beautifully. They were awfully pretty to look at too:

Even Nate gobbled them up and we know how picky he can be!

I didn't have the ingredients for it on hand but their optional cream cheese topping sounds fab. I'll definitely have to give that a go next time!

Cream Cheese Topping

• 1 cup homemade or store bought cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup chopped strawberries, fresh or frozen
• 1 - 3 tbsp raw honey, to taste

Place everything in a blender or food processor and blend till smooth. Store in an airtight container in the fridge. When muffins are ready, generously top each muffin and enjoy!

I bet they'd also taste great with some lightly toasted coconut flakes on top or even a warm honey glaze. *drool*

I can't wait to do more baking with my Organic Coconut Flour. I think I may attempt the Grapefruit Pound Cake or Lime in the Coconut Cookies. (Can you tell I'm on a fruit kick?) I love that it is versatile, gluten-free and all-natural. I may even use it to thicken up my smoothies.

BUY IT: Want to try some for yourself? I know you do! Visit www.tropicaltraditions.com to purchase the Coconut Flour (ARV $10.95) or browse their vast variety of organic products.

DELECTABLE DEAL: When you place your order, make sure you choose "referred by friend" from the "How did you hear about us?" drop-down box and reference my ID #5429861 to receive a complimentary copy of the book Virgin Coconut Oil: How it has changed people's lives, and how it can change yours! by Brian and Marianita Jader Shilhavy!

WIN IT: One lucky reader is going to win their own 2 lb. bag of Tropical Traditions Organic Coconut Flour!

MAIN COURSE (MANDATORY ENTRY): Visit Tropical Traditions and tell me another product you'd love to try. Remember to please leave your email address in your comment if it isn't visible on your profile to prevent disqualification!

SUGAR ON TOP (BONUS ENTRIES): To maximize your chances of winning, you may do any or all of the following. Be sure to complete the above mandatory entry or your bonus entries will not count!

1.) Follow my blog and/or subscribe via reader or email. Comment telling me which method you chose. If you already follow or subscribe, that counts! (1 entry each)

2.) Follow me and Tropical Traditions on Twitter and tweet about this contest. You can do this daily! You may use the following tweet or come up with one of your own:

Win a 2lb. bag of organic coconut flour from @troptraditions and @kris10chumley! Ends 9/9 http://bit.ly/aZMwYd

Just leave me a comment with your tweet link. (1 entry per day max)

3.) Subscribe to the Tropical Traditions newsletter. (2 entries!)

4.) Become a fan of Tropical Traditions on Facebook. (1 entry)

5.) "Like" Goodie Goodie Gumdrops on Facebook. (1 entry)

6.) Add my button to your site and comment with a link where I can find it. (1 entry)

Giveaway will end on September 9, 2010 at 11:59pm EST. Open to U.S. and Canada. Winner will be chosen via Random.org and will have 48 hours to respond to congratulatory email or prize will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen.

Disclaimer: As mentioned above, I was sent a bag of Organic Coconut Flour from Tropical Traditions to facilitate my candid review. I was in no other way compensated for this post. I was under no obligation to write a positive review or sponsor a product giveaway in return for the free product. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review and mine and mine alone. Your experience may differ.