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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast & Brunch » Muffins

    Old School Morning Glory Muffins with Coconut

    Published: Apr 18, 2024 by Barbara Curry

    Jump to Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

    A morning glory muffin with cinnamon butter.
    A morning glory muffin with cinnamon butter.

    Filled with yummy ingredients like carrots, apples, and coconut, these hearty muffins are easy to eat on the go with a cup of coffee or as part of a balanced breakfast alongside some bacon and eggs. Moist and fluffy, they take just 20 minutes to bake in the oven and will keep for days. 



     

    Carrot Apple Muffins for an On The Go Breakfast

    Thanks to the raisins, nuts, and coconut flakes, these delicious muffins have an amazing texture throughout—no need to throw these muffin bottoms away! What I love most about these muffins is how adjustable and forgiving the recipe is. You can play around with the type of flour you use, try subbing unsweetened applesauce for the vegetable oil, and a ton of other options! 

    This was my go-to breakfast muffin when I started my first job after college. I had to be there at 0 dark 30 and these were perfect to grab on the way. The grated carrots and apples add so much moisture and some natural sweetness. Another favorite for a grab-and-go are lemon poppy seed muffins.

    These apple carrot muffins are made with wholesome ingredients, which means they’ll keep you full and satisfied for longer! Not only are they filling, but they’re a little on the sweet side with a flavor that carrot cake and apple spice cake lovers will die for. For the real deal, try my apple spice cake or switch it up with this carrot cake cheesecake bars.

    A muffin tin of baked morning glory muffins.

    They’d be perfect for a brunch spread or for a morning meeting at the office, there’s no sticky icing to worry about.

    But, what really sells these morning glories as a breakfast star is pairing them with creamy cinnamon butter. Trust me on this one.

    One last thing! I recommend using a box grater to shred your own carrots at home instead of purchasing pre-shredded carrots from the grocery store for this morning glory muffin recipe. The premade ones aren’t thin enough to melt into the batter, which is what you want for these carrot and apple muffins! 

    Carrots shredded with a box grater next to pre-shredded carrots.
    Grated carrots on the left, pre-grated carrots on the right.

    Why These Are The Best Morning Glory Muffins

    • Breakfast on the go – They say it’s the most important meal of the day for a reason. How many of us have been guilty of rushing out the door without taking the time to eat something at all? Thanks to the carrots, apples, raisins and nuts, these will keep you satisfied until lunch.
    • First Time Baker Friendly – Since these muffins are meant to be hearty and packed with additions like raisins and nuts, it means you don’t have to worry too much about following specific rules or getting a specific texture.
    • Not too Sweet – It’s nice to have a delicious muffin that’s not overly sweet.

    Ingredients For Morning Glory Muffins

    The ingredients to make muffins.
    Gather the ingredients for the muffins.
    The additions to morning glory muffins.
    Gather the fillings.

    Pantry Staples – For dry ingredients, you’ll need flour, brown sugar, and baking soda. For wet ingredients, you’ll need vegetable oil and eggs. 

    Spices – Nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla extract. 

    Fruit – You’ll need three carrots, an apple, shredded sweetened coconut, and raisins. 

    Nuts – I used chopped pecans but you can substitute walnuts.

    Let’s Make Some Muffins

    Step One: Prep

    Raisins in a bowl of hot water.
    Soak the raisins.

    Add raisins to a small bowl and cover with hot water, let them sit and get plump while making the muffin batter. Shred the carrots and apple.

    Step Two: Mix Batter

    In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Add the shredded carrots, apple, coconut, pecans, and drained raisins, then stir to combine. 

    The dry ingredients with a whisk in a mixing bowl.
    Whisk the dry ingredients.
    A bowl of shredded ingredients for morning glory muffins.
    Combine the shredded ingredients.

    Step Three: Whisk Wet Ingredients

    In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with the vegetable oil and vanilla. Pour into the flour mixture, folding it in until just combined. Be careful to not over-mix. 

    The batter for morning glory muffins in a bowl.
    Barely mix the rest of the ingredients.

    Step Four: Fill Muffin Tin 

    Scoop into the muffin cups filling to the top. Sprinkle with extra coconut if desired. (I’m always up for more coconut)

    Muffin tins filled with carrot apple muffin batter.
    Fill the muffin tins.

    Step Five: Bake and Cool

    Bake for 5 minutes, then turn down the heat and cook an additional 17-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in the muffin tin for 10 minutes before removing.

    Make These Carrot Muffins Your Own

    • The original recipe calls for all purpose flour, but you can up the fiber content by using a combination of all purpose and whole wheat flour. 
    • Instead of pecans, you can try adding walnuts, cashews, roasted almonds, or any other of your favorite nuts!
    • Add a sprinkle of lemon or orange zest on top with the shredded coconut for extra brightness. 

    How to Store Muffins

    On The Counter: I recommend storing these muffins in an airtight container. If you store in the refrigerator it will dry them out. Freeze any that can’t be eaten , that will keep them from drying out.


    If you loved this recipe, give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! Also, snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #butterandbaggage and tagging me @butterandbaggage.

    A morning glory muffin split apart with cinnamon butter.

    Old School Morning Glory Muffins with Coconut

    Author: Barbara Curry
    Filled with yummy ingredients like carrots, apples, and coconut, these hearty muffins are easy to eat on the go with a cup of coffee or as part of a balanced breakfast alongside some bacon and eggs. Moist and fluffy, they take just 20 minutes to bake in the oven and will keep for days. 
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin
    Servings: 12

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 cups flour
    • 1 cup dark brown sugar
    • 2 tsp baking soda
    • 1 tsp nutmeg
    • 1 tsp cinnamon
    • 1 tsp salt
    • 3 eggs
    • ⅔ cup vegetable oil
    • 2 tsp vanilla
    • ½ cup raisins soaked in hot water and drained
    • 2 cups grated carrots about 3 carrots
    • 1 cup grated apple about 1 apple
    • ½ cup shredded sweetened coconut plus more for topping
    • ½ cup pecans chopped

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 425º and line or spray 12 muffin cups. 
    • Add raisins to a small bowl and cover with hot water. Let sit while making the muffins.
    • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, soda, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt. Add the shredded carrots, apple, coconut,  pecans, and drained raisins. Stir to combine. 
    • In a separate bowl whisk the eggs with the vegetable oil and vanilla and add to the flour mixture, folding it in just until combined. Do not over-mix. 
    • Scoop into the muffin cups filling to the top. Sprinkle with extra coconut if desired. 
    • Bake for 5 minutes, then turn down the heat to 350º and cook an additional 17-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.  Let cool in the muffin tin for 10 minutes before removing.
    Barbara’s Tips + Notes
    • For the best texture, grate the carrots rather than buying pre-grated carrots, they will be too thick. 
    • You can leave out the nuts and coconut.
    • If you want them less sweet, use unsweetened coconut.
    • Serve with Cinnamon Butter. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 352kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 415mg | Potassium: 220mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 3626IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 39mg | Iron: 2mg
    Follow Me On SocialDid you make this recipe? Mention @ButterandBaggage or tag #ButterandBaggage on Instagram!

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    Comments

      5 from 2 votes

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Karen says

      April 23, 2024 at 3:04 pm

      5 stars
      This muffin is my new favorite! I did not alter recipe. Recipe yielded more than 12 regular muffins.

      Reply
      • Barbara Curry says

        April 24, 2024 at 9:45 am

        It’s one of my favorites too, so glad you liked it.

        Reply
    2. Karen says

      May 30, 2024 at 6:32 pm

      5 stars
      Excellent! Made recipe without changes…scrumptious! This recipe is a keeper!

      Reply
      • Barbara Curry says

        June 02, 2024 at 7:11 am

        They’re one of my favorite muffins, glad you liked them.

        Reply
    3. Marsha says

      November 24, 2024 at 1:55 pm

      How much flour? Lol

      Reply
      • Barbara Curry says

        November 24, 2024 at 1:57 pm

        The measurements are in the recipe card, it takes 2 cups of flour. Hope you like them, they’re one of my favorites.

        Reply

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    Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen.

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