You can find some pretty awesome things at TJ Maxx or Home Goods…
They have a beautiful selection of dishware, and I’ve even seen Artisana coconut butter on their shelves for as low a $6 a jar! A few weeks ago, I stumbled upon another great find at the Home Goods in Georgetown:
Pure vanilla bean paste—usually retailing for around $13.99—well within its expiration date and yet on sale for the shockingly low price of just five dollars.
Whenever you bring home a new toy, the first thing you want to do is play, right??
That was me with the vanilla bean paste. I threw my keys down and immediately set to work, simultaneously making Homemade Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and the beautiful blackberry muffin recipe you will find below. It’s blackberry season, so now is a great time to indulge.
I know this recipe won’t get anywhere near as popular of a reception as a chocolate or peanut butter recipe (usually the most-popular-flavored recipes I post), but it’s definitely just as blogworthy! And if you can’t find vanilla bean paste at Marshalls, TJ Maxx, or Home Goods (or Williams Sonoma, Whole Foods, or online at full price), you can substitute pure vanilla extract. The flavor will change, but both options are fine.
Vanilla Bean Blackberry Muffins
(adapted from healthy blueberry muffins)
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar or white vinegar (15g)
- 1 cup milk of choice (240g)
- 2 tsp vanilla bean paste (pure vanilla extract will also work)
- 3 tbsp vegetable or coconut oil (30g)
- 2 cups spelt, white, or Bob’s gf flour flour (250g)
- 1/2 tsp plus 1/8 tsp salt
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar of choice or xylitol (100g)
- only if using Bob’s, add 1 tsp xanthan gum
- pinch pure stevia, or 2 more tbsp sugar of choice
- 1 cup fresh blackberries, crushed (150g)
- optional 1/2 cup shredded coconut
Preheat your oven to 350 F. Line a muffin tin with muffin liners. In a mixing bowl, whisk together first 4 ingredients. In a separate bowl, stir together all other ingredients except blackberries. Pour wet into dry, stir until just evenly mixed, then add the blackberries. Gently stir, but only until evenly mixed. It’s very important to not over-stir. Pour batter evenly into the muffin tins and bake 19 minutes. Muffins should look domed when you take them out of the oven. Allow to sit 10 minutes before removing from the tins (and 20-30 minutes if you wish to remove the liners without sticking). Optional, ice muffins with Healthy Glaze Icing. Makes 14-15 muffins.
View Blackberry Muffins Nutrition Facts
Â
Question of the Day:
Do you ever shop at Home Goods or TJ Maxx or Marshalls?
Link of the Day: No-Bake Chocolate Brownie Bites
I shop at Marshalls and TJMaxx all the time. I am always finding wonderful gourmet foods there. I love the Tazo Chocolate rounds that I chop up and make the best hot chocolate on the planet. I also find Charmbars, a protein bar, gluten free with no GMOs , etc. You never know what you will find, but perhaps that is part of the fun of it.
Wait, whoa, you’ve found Tazo chocolate at TJ Maxx?! Where do you live so I can plan my next vacation
Loaded with blackberries, full of flavors and textures, I love it.
Ha, I go to those stores solely to find vanilla bean paste. Generally, when my dad or I find it we buy every jar on the shelves. That and dutch processed cocoa powder.
As much as I salivate at the thought of chocolate or peanut butter, vanilla is actually my favorite flavor. Berry things, ehhh….but these look so damn good that I might have to take the plunge! I’m sure the delicious vanilla will cancel out the sweetness of the berries for a perfect balance.
I used to get all of my clothing from TJ Maxx and Marshall’s, but I feel like they’ve went WAY downhill in the past year and a half. Such a shame; I finally have my own apartment and NOW HomeGoods decides to suck?!
Yum! I need to go and get some vanilla bean paste; I keep on hearing good things about it!
I love checking out all the kitchen things at TJ Maxx and Home Goods! There are always some fun little surprises.
Wow Katie – that looks absolutely delicious…
Regards from Denmark,
Anne // http://www.thecopenhagendiary.com
These seam amazing!! I will need to make them soon..
I have a wish about a blog post that I would love to see. I find it very interesting how you come up with your recipes. What do you change in non-vegan recipes to make them vegan?
I sometimes change the applesauce in your recipes for oil for example. Is that ok to do? What does the apple cider vinager bring to the recipe? Is it to get the acidness for the baking soda to work, or is it for some other reason? How do you chose what kind of sweetener to use for what recipe?
Love
Malin
Those muffins look delicious! I am going to have to give that recipe a try. I shop at Marshalls and TJ Maxx from time to time and have found some great finds there and at home goods. I got two cute dogs beds for under $20, I’ve also found some unique food and kitchen items. But I always find that they are hit or miss!
I love Home Goods! I buy chia seeds and cacao there. They have the most random stuff but always some good finds!