find that the aroma of cinnamon and toasted nuts instantly makes the whole house feel warmer and more welcoming.
My Morning Glory Muffins are the ultimate breakfast treat because they pack so many wholesome ingredients into one tender package. You get the sweetness of carrots and apples mixed with the crunch of walnuts, making every bite interesting and satisfying.
What Sets These Morning Glory Muffins Apart

You will appreciate how incredibly moist these muffins stay, even days after you first bake them. The combination of grated fruits and vegetables ensures they never dry out, which is often a problem with other breakfast bakes.
I love that this recipe is flexible enough to handle different mix-ins depending on what you have in your pantry. It is forgiving and reliable, which gives me peace of mind when I am baking for a crowd.
These hearty treats are substantial enough to keep you full until lunch thanks to the whole wheat flour and nuts. It feels good to serve something that tastes like a treat but is actually full of nutritious ingredients.
If you enjoyed this wholesome bake, I recommend trying my Savory Lemon Blueberry Tart for a fresh fruit option, or the Cozy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies for another hearty treat.
Your Morning Glory Muffins Shopping List

Here are the simple pantry staples and fresh produce you will need to gather for this recipe:
- Carrots: Freshly grated carrots provide essential moisture and natural sweetness.
- Apple: Use a crisp variety like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best texture.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the muffin structure.
- Whole wheat flour: Adds a nutty flavor and hearty texture to the crumb.
- Sugar: Sweetens the muffins and helps with browning.
- Brown sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of molasses flavor.
- Baking soda: Helps the muffins rise and become fluffy.
- Baking powder: Works with the soda to ensure a good lift.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the spices.
- Cinnamon: Provides that classic warm spice flavor.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness.
- Applesauce: Keeps the muffins tender without needing excessive oil.
- Vegetable oil: Ensures the crumb stays soft for days.
- Vanilla extract: Adds depth and warmth to the flavor profile.
- Raisins: Offer chewy bursts of sweetness throughout.
- Walnuts: Add a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor.
- Shredded coconut: contributes texture and a subtle tropical note.
My Method for Morning Glory Muffins

Let’s get baking with this simple step-by-step process:
- Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit so it is hot and ready when your batter is done. Line a 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper liners to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. If you prefer not to use liners, generously grease the wells with non-stick spray or butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Make sure you break up any clumps of brown sugar with your whisk or fingers so the dry mixture is completely uniform.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk the eggs, oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract until they are fully combined and emulsified. This step ensures that the fat is evenly distributed, which is crucial for the texture of your Morning Glory Muffins.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir gently with a spatula just until they are barely combined. It is important not to overmix at this stage, as you still need to fold in the heavy ingredients.
- Add the grated carrots, grated apple, raisins, walnuts, and shredded coconut to the batter. Fold them in gently until they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture, being careful to stop mixing as soon as no streaks of flour remain.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling them almost to the top to get that bakery-style dome. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the tops are golden brown.
- Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set their structure. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, which prevents the bottoms from becoming soggy from the steam.
My Morning Glory Muffins Secrets

I always recommend grating your carrots and apples by hand on a box grater rather than buying pre-shredded options. The pre-shredded kind tends to be too dry and thick, whereas fresh grating releases the juices that make these Morning Glory Muffins so tender.
Be careful not to overmix the batter once you add the dry ingredients to the wet ones. Overmixing develops the gluten too much and will result in a tough, rubbery texture instead of a soft, tender crumb.
If you want your muffins to have high, domed tops, try baking them at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for the first 5 minutes. Then, without opening the oven door, reduce the heat to 375 degrees for the remainder of the baking time.
Best Ways to Enjoy Morning Glory Muffins
These muffins are fantastic when served slightly warm with a smear of salted butter or cream cheese. The saltiness contrasts beautifully with the sweet spices and fruits inside the Morning Glory Muffins.
I also like to pair them with a bowl of Greek yogurt and honey for a balanced breakfast. It makes for a filling meal that feels special enough for a weekend but quick enough for a busy weekday.
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Morning Glory Muffins
- Total Time: 43 min
- Yield: 12 muffins
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These wholesome Morning Glory Muffins are packed with fresh carrots, apples, and walnuts for a hearty start to your day. They are moist, spiced, and easy to make.
Ingredients
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup carrots, finely grated
- 1 apple, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit so it is hot and ready when your batter is done. Line a 12-cup standard muffin tin with paper liners to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier. If you prefer not to use liners, generously grease the wells with non-stick spray or butter.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Make sure you break up any clumps of brown sugar with your whisk or fingers so the dry mixture is completely uniform.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk the eggs, oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract until they are fully combined and emulsified. This step ensures that the fat is evenly distributed, which is crucial for the texture of your Morning Glory Muffins.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir gently with a spatula just until they are barely combined. It is important not to overmix at this stage, as you still need to fold in the heavy ingredients.
- Add the grated carrots, grated apple, raisins, walnuts, and shredded coconut to the batter. Fold them in gently until they are evenly distributed throughout the mixture, being careful to stop mixing as soon as no streaks of flour remain.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling them almost to the top to get that bakery-style dome. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the tops are golden brown.
- Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set their structure. Transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, which prevents the bottoms from becoming soggy from the steam.
Notes
For a dairy-free version, ensure your sugar is vegan and serve without butter. You can substitute the walnuts with pecans if preferred.
- Prep Time: 25 min
- Cooling Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 18 min
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 230mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Morning Glory Muffins, healthy breakfast muffins, carrot apple muffins, homemade bakery muffins
