If you’ve been searching for a delightful treat that bursts with flavor, texture, and a hint of wholesome goodness, you’ve just found your new favorite: the Morning Glory Muffins Recipe. This muffin is a beautiful blend of shredded carrots, apples, coconut, nuts, and warm spices, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and heartiness in every bite. Whether you want a comforting breakfast, an energizing snack, or a crowd-pleasing addition to your brunch table, these muffins bring a homemade charm that will make you smile with each mouthful.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for this Morning Glory Muffins Recipe are wonderfully simple yet carefully chosen to deliver that perfect combination of moistness, crunch, and natural sweetness. Each item plays a crucial role, from the oats that add subtle texture to the cinnamon and ginger that warm up every bite.
- Old-fashioned oats (½ cup): Adds a hearty texture that’s nutty and satisfying without overpowering the muffin’s softness.
- Salted butter (2 tbsp, melted): Enhances richness and helps carry the flavors smoothly.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): The base that gives structure and stability to the muffins.
- Granulated sugar (1¼ cups): Provides just enough sweetness to highlight the natural sugars in the fruits and veggies.
- Baking soda (2 tsp): Makes sure the muffins rise nicely with a perfect crumb.
- Ground cinnamon (2 tsp): Brings a warm spiciness that complements the carrots and apples beautifully.
- Ground ginger (1 tsp): Adds a zesty hint that livens up the overall flavor profile.
- Kosher salt (½ tsp): Balances all the sweetness and enhances other flavors.
- Shredded carrots (2 cups): The star veggie that makes these muffins moist and naturally sweet.
- Golden raisins (½ cup): Little bursts of fruity sweetness to keep things interesting.
- Chopped honey-roasted pecans (½ cup): Delightful crunch with a subtle honey flavor – a perfect textural contrast.
- Sweetened flaked coconut (½ cup): Adds a chewy and tropical twist to every bite.
- Shredded apple (½ cup): Brings fresh juiciness and balances moisture levels wonderfully.
- Orange zest (1 tsp): A bright citrus note that lifts the flavor to a new level.
- Large eggs (3): Binds everything together and contributes to a tender crumb.
- Vegetable oil (1 cup): Keeps the muffins incredibly moist and soft.
- Pure vanilla extract (2 tsp): Adds warm, sweet aroma that rounds out the spice and fruitiness.
How to Make Morning Glory Muffins Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Dry Ingredients
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, oats, granulated sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and kosher salt. Mixing these dry ingredients well ensures that every muffin has an even flavor and proper rise.
Step 2: Combine the Fresh Ingredients
In a separate bowl, gently toss together the shredded carrots, shredded apple, golden raisins, honey-roasted pecans, flaked coconut, and orange zest. Make sure the shredded carrots have excess moisture squeezed out to avoid overly wet batter. This blend is what makes these muffins uniquely delicious and vibrant.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
Beat the eggs in another bowl, then stir in the melted butter, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract. These wet ingredients bring richness and help meld all the flavors together for a tender muffin texture.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry
Pour the wet mixture into the bowl with dry ingredients and stir gently to combine until just moistened. Avoid overmixing to keep the muffins tender and light.
Step 5: Fold in the Fresh Mix
Carefully fold the carrot, apple, raisin, pecan, coconut, and zest mixture into the batter until evenly distributed. This ensures every bite has a perfect balance of texture and flavor.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Divide the batter evenly among a muffin tin lined with paper liners or greased well. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Once baked, allow muffins to cool for a few minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.
How to Serve Morning Glory Muffins Recipe
Garnishes
A light dusting of powdered sugar or a thin spread of cream cheese frosting can elevate your Morning Glory Muffins Recipe into a decadent treat. Freshly grated orange zest on top adds an appealing pop of color and brightness.
Side Dishes
These muffins shine alongside a cup of hot coffee or tea for breakfast. Pair them with fresh fruit or a dollop of yogurt to keep the morning vibrant and wholesome. They also work wonderfully with smoothies or fresh-squeezed juices.
Creative Ways to Present
Try slicing the muffins in half, then layering with cream cheese or almond butter and a drizzle of honey for an extra special snack. You can also serve mini versions at brunch or package them individually for grab-and-go mornings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store your Morning Glory Muffins Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay fresh for up to three days, making it easy to enjoy your homemade goodness without any rush.
Freezing
For longer storage, freeze muffins individually wrapped in plastic wrap and then placed in a freezer-friendly bag. This method preserves their fresh flavor and texture for up to three months.
Reheating
To enjoy frozen muffins, thaw them at room temperature or microwave for about 20-30 seconds. Reheating makes them just as delightful as freshly baked, warm, and inviting.
FAQs
Can I substitute the sugar in the Morning Glory Muffins Recipe?
Absolutely! You can replace granulated sugar with brown sugar for a richer caramel flavor or use natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey, but you might need to adjust the liquid ratios slightly to keep the batter balanced.
Are there any alternatives to all-purpose flour?
Yes, whole wheat flour can be used for a nuttier taste and more fiber, but the muffins might be a bit denser. A gluten-free flour blend also works well if you prefer gluten-free baking.
Can I omit the nuts in this muffin recipe?
Definitely! If you have nut allergies or just prefer no nuts, simply leave out the pecans or replace them with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds for crunch.
How do I keep these muffins moist?
The combination of oil and shredded veggies helps these muffins stay moist. Just be careful not to overbake—check them a few minutes early to ensure they don’t dry out.
Can I make this recipe vegan?
You can substitute eggs with flax eggs or chia eggs and use a plant-based oil and vanilla extract. Keep in mind the texture may be slightly different, but still delicious!
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to fill your kitchen with the warm, inviting aroma of freshly baked goods, give this Morning Glory Muffins Recipe a try. It’s a comforting, flavorful way to start your day or treat yourself anytime. Once you taste the delightful combination of textures and those cozy spices, you’ll understand why this recipe has such a devoted following. Happy baking!
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Morning Glory Muffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these moist and flavorful Morning Glory Muffins, packed with wholesome ingredients like shredded carrots, apples, oats, raisins, pecans, and a medley of warm spices. Perfect for a nutritious breakfast or a satisfying snack, these muffins combine a perfect balance of sweetness and texture, with a hint of citrus from fresh orange zest.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- ½ cup old-fashioned oats (15g), divided
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (240g)
- 1¼ cups granulated sugar (250g)
- 2 tsp baking soda (12g)
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon (6g)
- 1 tsp ground ginger (3g)
- ½ tsp kosher salt (3g)
Fruits and Nuts
- 2 cups shredded carrots (180g), excess moisture squeezed out (from about 6 carrots)
- ½ cup golden raisins (85g)
- ½ cup chopped honey-roasted pecans (57g)
- ½ cup sweetened flaked coconut (30g)
- ½ cup shredded apple (57g), core and peel discarded
- 1 tsp orange zest (2g)
Wet Ingredients
- 2 tbsp salted butter (28g, melted)
- 3 large eggs (150g)
- 1 cup vegetable oil (200g)
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract (8g)
- ¼ cup old-fashioned oats (remaining from the ½ cup), for topping or mixing as preferred
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, kosher salt, and half of the oats. Whisk these ingredients together thoroughly to ensure an even distribution of the leavening agents and spices.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted salted butter, vegetable oil, eggs, and pure vanilla extract until smooth and well incorporated.
- Combine Fruits, Nuts, and Zest: Gently fold into the dry mixture the shredded carrots, shredded apple, golden raisins, chopped honey-roasted pecans, sweetened flaked coconut, and orange zest, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Add Wet to Dry Mixture: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir carefully until just combined. Avoid overmixing to ensure the muffins remain tender. The batter should be moist and chunky with fruit and nut pieces.
- Prepare Muffin Tin: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease the cups lightly. Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full to allow for rising.
- Bake the Muffins: Bake the muffins in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. The tops should be golden brown and spring back lightly when touched.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature for a delightful start to your day.
Notes
- You can substitute the honey-roasted pecans with walnuts or regular pecans for a different nutty flavor.
- For a lower fat version, reduce the vegetable oil by half and use unsweetened applesauce for the other half.
- Grate the carrots and apples finely to ensure even moisture distribution.
- Ensure the shredded carrots are well-drained to avoid soggy muffins.
- These muffins freeze well; store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2 months.
