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These rustically beautiful Morning Glory Muffins are moist and super delicious. They're also loaded with fiber - and lots of great nutrition!
Whenever I get a chance to visit a Whole Foods, I find myself wandering the aisles and checking out all the wonderful ingredients and prepared foods. I'm especially tempted when passing by the shelves laden with freshly baked muffins and the Morning Glory Muffins seem to always call my name.
They're sweet, moist and filled with wholesome ingredients including fresh carrots, shredded apples, raisins, coconut, walnuts and whole wheat flour. But they're quite pricey at Whole Foods, so a while back, I decided to do a little sleuthing and see if I could come up with a similar recipe. I found that Whole Foods actually has a recipe on their website for Morning Glory Muffins, but honestly, (don't tell anyone I said this) they look kind of flat and dry.
Upon looking a little farther, I found a delicious-looking recipe on the King Arthur website and decided to base my muffins on theirs as I know from experience that King Arthur recipes are very reliable.
A few adaptations
I adapted the recipe a bit by swapping out dried cranberries for the raisins, exchanging pecans for the walnuts and leaving the nutritious (and pretty) red skin on the apples.
And instead of adding the pecans to the batter, I used them for a "candied" topping. The topping is a simple combination of sunflower seeds, honey, salt and a few drops of oil. The topping adds a beautiful and delicious finishing touch to these wonderful muffins.
I serve these rustically beautiful Morning Glory Muffins frequently and it seems everyone always goes crazy over them. They disappear quickly and I love that they can be baked ahead and stored in the freezer. An overnight thaw or a quick stint in the microwave and they're just like fresh baked.
Keeps the hangrys away
I don't know about you but if I go too long without eating something nourishing, I can get a little hangry (a cross between hungry and angry). Because these muffins are loaded with fiber and lots of great nutrients, I find that one muffin keeps me satisfied all morning and keeps the hangrys away. I'm a happy camper when there's a stash of them in the freezer that we can enjoy for a quick, decently healthy breakfast.
Whip up a batch of these delicious, no-fail Morning Glory Muffins a soon as possible! I call it a "no fail" recipe, as every time I make them, they come out high-domed, beautifully golden, super moist and SO delicious. I think you'll agree and these muffins will go into your favorite recipe collection!
Café Tips for making these Morning Glory Muffins
- The recipe makes more than indicated on the King Arthur site. The instructions are to fill the muffin cups "almost to the top". I did fill them nice and high, but instead of 12, I was able to get 16 really nice-size muffins from the recipe.
- This recipe calls for whole wheat pastry flour. Whole wheat pastry flour is available at larger grocery stores, in bulk at Whole Foods and online.
- I've substituted white whole wheat flour for the whole wheat pastry flour with good results. White whole wheat flour has the same nutritional value as regular whole wheat flour but it's a little lighter. It's available at most larger grocery stores and online.
- Use a BIG bowl when stirring together these muffins. There are lots of ingredients!
- To make things super easy, I often purchase packaged shredded carrots for these Morning Glory Muffins.
- For the topping, I use a sprinkle of turbinado sugar. You could also use demerara sugar or raw sugar which are both similar. You'll find most of these specialty sugars at larger grocery stores in the baking aisle along with the regular sugar.
- I like to use sunflower oil when baking, but any neutral-flavored oil will work fine for these Morning Glory Muffins.
- If the muffins are getting too brown after 20 minutes, cover them lightly with foil for the remainder of the baking time.
- This recipe can be also made with zucchini and fresh pineapple. I love making these Zucchini Fresh Pineapple Morning Glory Muffins in the summer when zucchini is abundant.
Thought for the day:
The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 9:9-10What we're listening to for inspiration:
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and leave a star rating and review! It’s so helpful to other readers to hear your results, adaptations and ideas for variations.
This recipe was originally published back in 2015. There are so many new readers and this recipe is too good to be buried in the deep, dark Café archives. We've spruced it up a bit and are sharing it again for your baking pleasure!
This is one of those "never-fail" muffin recipes that everyone loves. They are delicious; but also loaded with healthy ingredients. The candied pecan topping is the crowning glory!
- For the candied pecan topping:
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- For the muffins:
- 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
- 1 cup brown sugar packed
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups shredded carrot
- ½ cup shredded coconut sweetened or unsweetened
- 1 large red, crisp apple cored and diced into small, approximate ¼-inch
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 3 large eggs
- ⅔ cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup orange juice
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Turbinado Sugar for topping
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Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease 16 muffin cups* or line them with papers. Line a sheet pan with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray or rub with a paper towel and a bit of oil.
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Combine pecans, sunflower seeds, honey and olive oil on the prepared sheet pan. Place pan in preheated oven and bake for 4 minutes. Stir to redistribute and bake another 2-3 minutes or until pecans are light golden brown. Remove from oven, spread apart and set aside to cool.
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In a large bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, spices, and salt. Stir well.
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Add the carrots and coconut, apples and dried cranberries. Stir and then run your hands through the mixture, breaking up any small clumps of brown sugar, coconut or cranberries that remain.
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In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, oil, orange juice and vanilla. Stir till smooth.
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Add egg mixture to the flour mixture, and stir until evenly moistened (mixture will be quite thick).
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Divide the batter among the cups of the prepared pans, filling almost to the top (about ⅞ full).
-
Divide the candied pecan mixture over the tops. Sprinkle each muffin with about ½ teaspoon of Demerara sugar.
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Bake the muffins for 25 to 28 minutes, until they're nicely domed and a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from the oven, cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then remove from pans and cool on a rack.
-
Wrap any leftovers in plastic wrap or a zippered storage bag, and store at room temperature for up to 24 hours. Freeze for longer storage.
See Café Tips above for detailed instructions and additional tips.
Adapted from King Arthur Flour.
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dorothy says
Hi Chris,
I want to make these muffins because as you said "a picture is worth a 1000 words". They look so good..
I have KA whole wheat flour, it does not say pastry flour.. Can I use this or do I need what the recipe calls for.
Thank you for your help.
Dorothy
Chris Scheuer says
You can use the whole wheat flour Dorothy but the muffins will be heavier. WW pastry flour is better. http://amzn.to/2h5mjRN
Sherry Thrasher says
It was such a pleasure meeting you at my cooking station at Whole Foods. The muffins look absolutely delicious! Can't wait to follow you in Paris.
best regards,
Sherry
Muna Kenny says
Perfect, healthy, and yummy breakfast 🙂
Linda says
Chris,
Just made these muffins for our breakfast tomorrow and I must say 6 are already gone. They are so delicious and this recipe definitely will be a keeper. Didn't have coconut so I chopped up crystallized ginger in its place and also had to sub pepitas (pumpkin seeds) for sunflower seeds. Next time I make these I will be sure to have all the original ingredients.
Thank you for sharing your great recipes! I always look forward to baking up something new from you blog.
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Morning Glory Muffins are such a classic! I'm so glad you were inspired by Whole Foods and love your twist with the candied pecans. Stunning photography here from Scott, too! 🙂 We visit our local WF store a couple times per week. But, I'm glad you selected the King Arthur Flour recipe. I cannot say enough about KAF! I enjoy ordering from them as well as using their recipe database. Thanks for sharing, Chris. Pinned!
Del's cooking twist says
Your muffins look irresistible! I simply love them!
Jennifer Farley says
These muffins look outstanding. That candied topping really sets them apart!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
Forget Morning Glory - I want this as "Morning, Darling!" where someone else makes these and brings one to my bedroom along with coffee. A woman can but dream.. 🙂
These are gorgeous!
TheKitchenLioness says
Dear Chris, the name of these beauties certainly fits them extremely well - these muffin treats of yours look absolutely glorious! Love the list of healthy ingredients and the picture perfect way you presented them in these pretty muffin liners on that even prettier cake stand!
Hope you are enjoying a wonderful Sunday, dear friend!
Andrea
Liz says
These are one of my favorite muffins, too! And yours rival any bakery version! And I, too, love that these use whole wheat flour. Time to get out my apron 🙂 Happy weekend, my friend.
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Wow Chris - it's hard to believe these are so healthy! The look like dessert! How wonderful they turn our with that nice top each time - that recipe is a keeper! Hope you're staying warm 🙂
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says
Well, Whole Foods doesn't have Scott to take fabulous photos! These are right up my alley, Chris. I can't wait to try them!
Catherine says
Dear Chris, That is so nice that you are in walking distance to many places.
I love muffins in the morning. with a cup of coffee or tea. These look perfect. King Arthur is always there when one needs a little inspirations. I love there flour too.
Beautiful pictures Chris. xoxo Catherine
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
These muffins look glorious indeed, Chris! Love that candied pecan topping!
Jo Anne T. says
These look totally amazing! Think I will whip up a batch this morning as a test for feeding our rally car racing team in April. I'm sure the guys will love these. We have Whole Foods coming to Bellingham in a year...cannot wait, wish it was sooner! Oh, thanks to you, I went shopping for the muffin papers on Amazon... 🙂
Charlotte Moore says
Not only do they good pretty they are DELICIOUS. I just made these and we LOVED them. I didn't have sunflower seeds that were good. Don't think we missed them either. I used scant in place of brown sugar and put a little orange zest. Love cranberries and orange. I did use unsweetened coconut. If they had been any better we would be in more trouble. I did use freshly ground.hard white wheat. This is a keeper recipe!!! Freezing some to take our son in Charlotte,NC.
Charlotte Moore says
OOPS! That should have said used sucanat. Now I know why it said scant. This crazy computer changed it and I didn't realize it. It did this time and I saw it.
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
I'm sharing these today Chris, what could be better for a chilly weekend morning?
Kim says
Love, love these muffins:)
Anne@FromMySweetHeart says
Wow Chris....your photos are a million times more enticing than WF or KA! (Maybe they should consider paying food bloggers to submit their finished recipes!). LOVE morning glory muffins. And yours, my dear, are the most gloriest I've ever seen! : )
Betty says
I live out in the sticks, and while that does have its advantages, being close to fancy grocery stores is not one of them. Sigh. Those muffins look absolutely gorgeous with that topping! I'm not a raisin person, so the substitution of cranberries is one I wholeheartedly agree with. 🙂
Helen says
I'm going to try this recipe as a coffee cake or two; one topped with pecans and one topped with walnuts. Also want to try the recipe in grab and go bars for road trips and hiking. Thanks for the recipe and great blog.
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
Oh how I'd love to come over and enjoy some of these muffins straight from the oven! Love that candied pecan topping!
Monique says
Oh they look just perfect Chris.
I should jut make a Chris folder on Pinterest.
Ginny Hartzler says
They are a whole breakfast in a muffin! Plus a multi vitamin!. They look better than the ones at Whole Foods, which really is a great store despite the higher prices.
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
Yours look even better than KA! They look beyond delicious and that candied pecan topping is killing me!
BarbaraWhite1960104@yahoo.com says
You said email wouldn't be published, I saw mine was, why I didn't see any one else's?
Chris Scheuer says
I'm not sure what you're talking about Barbara, sorry!