Sunday, July 12, 2009

Glorious Morning Muffins


The "Glorious Morning" muffin is by far my favorite breakfast muffin. It's carrot cake with an attitude. It's a wake-up-and-throw-your-arms-open-to-the-rising-sun muffin. The "Glorious Morning" muffin is moist, packed full of goodness and flavor, is sweet and toothsome; it is in a class of its own.

Most folks refer to this muffin as Morning Glory, and indeed that's what I always called it until one wintry morning, it was renamed, "Glorious Morning."

When I had to go into the office everyday, I would take the commuter bus. Each work morning, a line of us would start queuing up for the bus at 5:57 a.m., shivering, sleepy, sometimes cold to the bone. The parking lot was unlit, dark woods were behind us, and we were left standing in the starlit dark, listening for the hum of the bus's tires as the bus exited the interstate. As we stood there, stomping our feet, clapping our hands against the cold, and breathing warm breath into our cupped hands, we all shared a common misery and friendships developed.

One of my fellow commuters, Kevin C., is a dear human being; the planet is made a better place because he is here. He is a loving and devoted family man, he volunteers at his church, is involved in the public school. He is funny and kind. Kevin and I both love food, so the first time I made these for my office mates, I also brought in a couple extra to share with him. They were still warm from that morning's baking and Kevin opened the little bag, took a deep whiff, and declared, "These are Glorious Morning muffins!" And that's what I've called them ever since. Well named, Kevin!

These muffins take a little work and you will mess up a couple of dishes in the process. To me, the work is worth the effort to have a Glorious Morning. There are a number of variations around the web as well as one in my Best of New England cookbook, but the one I use is found at Earthbound Food Organic.

Glorious Morning Muffins
(aka Morning Glory Muffins)

1 1/4 cups sugar
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup shredded, sweetened coconut
3/4 cup raisins (I use dried currants)
1 large apple, peeled and grated
1 cup (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained
2 cups carrots, peeled and grated
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
3 large eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Position a rack in the lower third of the oven and preheat to 350F. Prepare muffin tins by either using paper muffin cups in each cup or generously spraying with a baking spray. Set aside.
In a large bowl, sift or whisk together the sugar, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt. Add the coconut, raisins, apple, pineapple, carrots, and nuts'; stir to combine, breaking up any "clumps" or grated carrot or apple.
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with the oil and vanilla. Pour into the bowl with the dry ingredients and blend well. Batter will be heavy and thick.
Using a one-half cup measuring cup or spoon, equally divide the batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each to the brim. (I fill mine only 3/4 full as I don't like the muffins spilling out over the tops of the muffin cups and possibly burning to the pan.)
Bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean. Cool muffins in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a rack to finish cooling.
Some folks may want to frost these with cream cheese frosting, but personally I think that gilds the lily and is too much. These muffins are perfect on their own.
Wishing you a Glorious Morning!

39 comments:

  1. These would definitely make for one Glorious Morning!! They sound wonderful and have such a heart-felt story...they make me smile just thinking of them :D

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  2. These sound awesome! I am not a big fan of coconut, do you think adding extra carrot would change them too much?

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  3. A glorious morning to you too...or afternoon depending on when you read this.

    I love Morning Glory muffins. I put flaxseed in mine too.

    Very cute story. I like sharing my baked goods with friends too.

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  4. I can't imagine a more flavorful muffin...there are so many amazing ingredients packed in them! I'd love these every morning of every day!

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  5. These muffins would definitely lift my spirits on a chilly morning or even on a warm summer morning.

    Let's hope winter takes it's time getting here this year!

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  6. These are just full of goodies! How delicious for an early morning grab and go breakfast!

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  7. I don't care how big a mess they make they're definitely worth making!! Good one Katy!!

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  8. What an absolutely loaded with goodness muffin. I love all the add ins. Truly tasty and healthy breakfast!!

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  9. I made carrot muffins this morning too! Mine were not so glorious, a healthy version. I'll have to give yours a try when I want to splurge!

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  10. Love the back story on these muffins. Makes them even more special I think.

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  11. These look SO good with melting butter!! Oh yum.

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  12. These would definitely get me in the proper frame of mind in the morning. They do look glorious!

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  13. Lovely katy!!!This sounds inviting!!!
    Drop in sometime

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  14. Yummy muffins,liked the ingredients u used in this recipe,really fulfilling muffins...

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  15. I have baked these muffins often but as of now they will have a new name..glorious morning muffins..love it!
    Just checking..yep I have all the ingredients..hmm I can taste 'em already..
    Thanks Katy for the reminder!

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  16. Wow, these look incredible! Um, definitely insulin worthy for me! :D

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  17. the best thing about you sharing this recipe is the 'glorious morning' you make for me...just your description of the whole process and preamble alone...grin...makes it a glorious morning...let alone muffin. Good post today there Katy dear.

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  18. These will certainly make the morning more glorious. Very nice recipe.

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  19. What a sweet story! I have several friendships that are based off of food too, and they are wonderful ones!

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  20. Sorry, my husband distracted me lol! The muffins look incredible! I would have a glorious morning with these too!

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  21. Hi Katy, life has caught up with me a bit and I haven't been up to date on my blogs as I would like, but wanted to stop by yours tonight to catch up a bit - these muffins are something I will have to come back to to make!

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  22. Those sound nutritious and filling. Maybe that would help me get over my icky little McDonald's habit in the mornings.

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  23. These look so delicious. I love a muffin. I have made so many different kids this year. This one I haven't and I would embrace a muffin with an attitude too!

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  24. What wonderful muffins these are, Katy... love all the flavorful ingredients! They do sound glorious!

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  25. They look so good Katy...would love to have a warm one in the morning....

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  26. Oh, Katy, these look so good! My daughter is wanting to make all kinds of muffins during her summer break, so I'm printing your recipe off for her. She'll love these! (And I'll benefit from her cooking, too!!)

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  27. Oh Katy, "carrot cake with an attitude." Now, I have to make these. And they look scrumptious.

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  28. I bet these muffins are out of this world with the pineapple and coconut! Mmmmmm!

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  29. love the post.. m sure this wil taste like heaven
    cheers!!

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  30. Hello Katy! Thanks for encouragement and congratulations. I try to do everything as well as passion me and inspire me in my project. By the way, yours muffins looks delicious! I'm glad we met virtually!

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  31. I used to have a yellow house finch that came to my feeders (seed not sugar water).... I called him Sunshine. It's been 15 years ago though & I haven't seen one since.

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  32. Hi Katy...You hav to grind the rice in a blender to a smooth consistancy..batter should be smooth..Thanx for the comments..

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  33. Oh Katy...my husband is going to be SO excited!!! Not only does he love muffins, but carrot cake is his all-time favorite! Can't wait to try these!!!

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  34. You know how I love my muffins! Sounds like a stellar recipe! MMMMM!

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  35. I have always wanted to make these muffins but just never have. You inspire me to give it a try. I like the name change! ;)

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  36. :-) Looks Glorious so appropriate renaming!

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  37. How can I resist these!!!Look soooo...good!

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  38. These sound heavenly! I will definitely be making these soon. Thanks for the recipe!

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