Hearty, wholesome, and brimming with flavor, these Morning Glory muffins are the perfect start to the day. These rustic little gems are packed to the brim with good-for-you ingredients. Each bite is a surprise of texture and taste: juicy raisins, crunchy pecans, and playful pops of millet tucked into a tender crumb that’s naturally sweetened with brown sugar, carrots, zucchini, and apples. Pure maple syrup gives just the right touch of caramel richness, making every bite feel cozy yet nourishing. Warm spices tie everything together, filling the kitchen with the cozy aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg as the muffins bake.
For some extra sweet fun add a streusel topping
The optional addition of streusel topping makes these muffins just a little indulgent. There’s something so comforting about a muffin that feels both nourishing and indulgent, and these Morning Glory muffins strike that perfect balance. Morning Glory Muffins aren’t fancy, but just simple, honest food — perfect with a cup of coffee, tucked into a lunchbox, or enjoyed as an afternoon pick-me-up. These muffins live up to their name—they’re a glorious way to start the day.
Nostalgic, comforting, and delicious
Some recipes just feel like they’ve been around forever—handwritten on an old recipe card, tucked into a well-worn cookbook, or passed along by a friend who swears by them. These Morning Glory muffins are one of those timeless bakes that I very recently rediscovered in my old recipe card file. Every bite carries that cozy, homemade charm that feels both hearty and nostalgic.
What we love about these muffins …
What I love most about these muffins is their versatility—they feel rustic and homey, yet nutrient-rich and nourishing. You can switch the pecans for walnuts, or any nut of your choice, and the same with the fruits. Try them with pineapple, or craisins in place of the apple and raisins. These are also versatile as a breakfast treat or a late afternoon snack. They’re just as welcome at a leisurely weekend brunch as they are grabbed on the way out the door. Whether you enjoy them fresh from the oven with a little smear of butter or pack them for a mid-afternoon snack, Morning Glory Muffins live up to their name. They’re a celebration of simple, wholesome ingredients baked into a muffin that truly makes mornings brighter.
Prepare the ingredients before diving into the batter
These muffins admittedly have a lot of ingredients, so when making them, it’s a great idea to prepare the fruits and veggies before you begin to assemble the batter. Once you have this part done, it’s so easy to put it together. We like to grate the carrots and zucchini, chop the apple and the pecans, and pour boiling water over the raisins to plump them up a little before making the muffin batter.
Morning Glory Muffins
Equipment
- regular muffin tin
Ingredients
Morning Glory Muffins
- 3/4 cup wheat bran
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp. cardamom
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup grated zucchini
- 1/4 cup grated carrots
- 1 large apple, peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup raisins, reconstituted
- 2 tbsp. millet
- 1/2 cup pecans, chopped
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
Streusel Crumb Topping
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granlulated sugar
- 4 oz. unsalted butter, chilled, grated and chilled again
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. cardamom
- 1/4 tsp. salt
Instructions
Morning Glory Muffins
- Prepare a regular muffin tin with paper liners. Spray liners with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 ℉.
- Prepare veggies, fruits and nuts. Grate zucchini and squeeze out any excess liquid. Grate carrots. Peel, core and chop apples. Coarsely chop pecans. Place raisins in a small bowl and pour 1/2 cup boiling water over them. Allow them to sit for about 15 minutes. Drain water thoroughly using a sieve. Set all aside until ready to add to batter.
- Combine bran, flour, baking powder, salt, spices in a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine well.
- Add fruits, veggies, millet, and nuts and stir to combine.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, oil, and maple syrup. Stir into dry ingredients. Stir until completely blended.
- Spoon batter into prepared muffin tins. Bake for approximately 12-14 minutes, or until done.
