The Easiest Barefoot Contessa Morning Glory Muffins Recipe

These Morning Glory Muffins burst with wholesome ingredients that transform an ordinary breakfast into a delightful culinary experience.

Barefoot Contessa recipes always promise something special and unexpectedly delicious.

Rich tropical and garden-fresh flavors dance together in every single bite of these extraordinary muffins.

The medley of fruits, nuts, and spices creates a harmonious symphony that tingles your taste buds.

Warm and hearty, these muffins feel like a loving embrace from your favorite home baker.

Each ingredient contributes its unique personality, crafting a complex yet comforting morning treat.

Soft, moist, and packed with nutrition, they elevate your breakfast from routine to remarkable: savor every crumb!

How to Make Ina’s Muffins at Home

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Muffin Pans

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Position two oven racks evenly. Line two muffin pans with paper muffin liners.

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

• Eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Vanilla extract
• Crushed pineapple
• Chopped pecans
• Shredded coconut
• Grated carrots
• Raisins

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Baking soda
• Salt

Step 4: Create Muffin Batter

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. Mix until just combined, being careful not to overmix.

Step 5: Fill Muffin Cups

Use an ice cream scoop to distribute batter evenly into the prepared muffin liners. Fill each cup with rounded scoops.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let the muffins cool on a baking rack. Serve warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.

Muffin-Making Tips That Help You Win

• Boost Moisture Magic: Incorporate applesauce or extra oil to keep these muffins incredibly soft and tender, preventing dryness that can sometimes occur with fruit and vegetable-packed recipes.
• Customize Mix-Ins: Experiment with different nuts, seeds, or dried fruits like pecans, sunflower seeds, or dried cranberries to personalize the flavor profile and add delightful texture contrasts.
• Prep Ahead Brilliance: Grate carrots and apples in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator to streamline your morning baking process and save precious time.
• Storage Savvy: Wrap individual muffins in plastic wrap or store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, or freeze for up to a month for long-lasting enjoyment.
• Baking Perfection Trick: Use a light-colored muffin pan to prevent over-browning and ensure even baking, creating perfectly golden-brown muffins every single time.

Storing Muffins for Maximum Moisture

• Freezer Method: Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn and maintain maximum moisture. Separate muffins with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal when you're ready to enjoy.
• Refrigeration Method: Transfer muffins to an airtight container with a tight-sealing lid to preserve freshness and prevent absorbing other food odors. Stack muffins carefully, placing a sheet of paper towel between layers to absorb excess moisture and keep the texture intact.
• Counter Storage Method: Keep muffins in a sealed ceramic or glass container with a loose-fitting lid to allow slight air circulation. Place the container in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight to maintain optimal taste and prevent rapid staleness.

Muffin Flavor Variations You’ll Love

• Tropical Fruit Fusion: Replace pineapple with diced mangoes and add a handful of chopped macadamia nuts for a Hawaiian-inspired tropical flavor profile.
• Chocolate Chip Carrot Edition: Fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips and reduce raisins by half to create a decadent chocolate-studded version that kids will love.
• Autumn Spice Blend: Swap pecans for toasted walnuts and incorporate diced apples alongside the carrots, then sprinkle extra cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg for a cozy fall-inspired muffin.
• Gluten-Free Health Boost: Use almond flour instead of traditional flour, add chia seeds, and include a mix of pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds for extra nutrition and a protein-packed alternative.

Muffin Wrap-Up: Morning Glory Edition

Barefoot Contessa Morning Glory Muffins offer sweet nostalgia with Caribbean-inspired ingredients that dance across taste buds.

Hearty carrots, tropical pineapple, and crunchy pecans create remarkable depth in each delectable bite.

Home bakers can craft these sensational breakfast treats without complicated techniques.

Complex spices like cinnamon weave warmth through classic muffin textures.

California chef Ina Garten perfected this recipe with professional precision and welcoming charm.

Passionate culinary adventurers might find these muffins irresistible – so scroll, snap a photo, share this recipe, and let deliciousness spark conversation among friends!

Bon appétit!

What Makes These Muffins Morning-Ready

• Pack Powerful Nutrition: These morning glory muffins deliver a serious health punch with carrots, coconut, pecans, and raisins delivering fiber, vitamins, and natural sweetness in every delightful bite.
• Effortlessly Bake Deliciousness: The recipe offers simple mixing techniques that make baking feel like a breeze, allowing even novice bakers to create professional-quality muffins with minimal kitchen skills.
• Versatile Breakfast or Snack Champion: These muffins work perfectly as a grab-and-go breakfast, mid-morning energy boost, or afternoon treat that satisfies sweet cravings without overwhelming sugar content.
• Texture Adventure in Every Mouthful: Combining crunchy pecans, soft carrots, chewy raisins, and tender muffin base creates a delightful textural experience that keeps taste buds excited and engaged throughout each bite.

Everything in the Morning Glory Muffins

• Eggs: Rich protein base that binds all ingredients together, fresh eggs provide best texture and flavor.
• Vegetable Oil: Helps create moist and tender muffins, neutral flavor works best.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, sweet undertone to enhance overall flavor profile.
• Pineapple: Provides natural sweetness and moisture to the muffin texture.
• Raisins: Sweet dried fruit that adds concentrated fruity flavor and chewy texture.

• All-Purpose Flour: Main structural component of muffins, provides necessary framework for baking.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning and caramelization.
• Ground Cinnamon: Warm spice that adds depth and classic morning glory flavor.
• Baking Soda: Crucial leavening agent that helps muffins rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.

• Pecans: Adds crunch and nutty flavor, toasted nuts provide deeper taste.
• Coconut: Provides tropical sweetness and interesting textural element.
• Carrots: Adds moisture, natural sweetness, and nutritional value to muffins.

Barefoot Contessa Morning Glory Muffins Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Morning Glory Muffins showcase Ina Garten’s beloved breakfast treat packed with carrots, apples, coconut, and walnuts. Hearty whole wheat flour and warm spices make these muffins a satisfying start to any day you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients:

• 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ¼ cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 cup vegetable oil (240 milliliters)
• 3 extra-large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
• 2 cups grated carrots, unpeeled and grated on a box grater
• 1 Granny Smith apple, unpeeled and grated on a box grater

Mix-ins:

• ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped
• ½ cup sweetened shredded coconut
• ½ cup raisins

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and arrange two oven racks at equal distances. Line two 12-cup muffin pans with paper liners, ensuring even coverage.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together whole eggs, vegetable oil, and pure vanilla extract until well blended. Gently fold in crushed pineapple, chopped pecans, shredded coconut, grated carrots, and plump raisins.
3. Sift together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, baking soda, and kosher salt in a separate medium bowl. Create a well in the center and pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients.
4. Stir the batter gently with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, mixing just until the ingredients are combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender muffin texture.
5. Use a standard 2 1/4-inch (5.7 centimeters) ice cream scoop to distribute the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each approximately two-thirds full.
6. Place the muffin pans in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a clean toothpick into the center of a muffin – it should come out completely clean.
7. Remove the muffin pans from the oven and transfer to a wire cooling rack. Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them directly onto the rack to cool completely.
8. Serve the carrot cake muffins warm or at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

• Get creative with mix-ins like chopped walnuts, shredded coconut, or dried cranberries to customize the muffin’s flavor profile and add delightful texture.
• Moistness matters most when working with vegetable-based batters, so don’t overmix the ingredients to maintain a tender crumb and prevent tough muffins.
• Leftover muffins stay fresh for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature, or freeze them individually wrapped for up to 2 months for longer preservation.
• Room temperature eggs and butter blend more smoothly, creating a more uniform batter that results in softer, more consistent muffins with better rise and texture.
• Spice variations like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger can elevate the warmth and depth of these carrot apple muffins, transforming them from simple to spectacular.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 275 kcal
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg