A Teaspoon of Chance

This recipe I tried while looking for a new muffin recipe for a friend of mine.  They were really delicious, baked up pretty and came out of the pan well without muffin papers.  They can also be made ahead and frozen up to 1 month.  My oldest daughter loved them and took a bunch back to college with her.  This recipe is from the 2009 Southern Living Annual Recipe book, page 69.

Morning Glory Muffins

1 c chopped pecans                                    

3 c all-purpose flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

2 c sugar

3/4 c canola oil

3 large eggs

2-1/2  tsp vanilla

1 (8oz.) can crushed pineapple, undrained

2 large carrots, finely grated (1 cup)

1 cup golden raisins (optional)

Preheat oven to 350,  Bake pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet 5 to 7 minutes or until lightly toasted and fragrant.  Cool completely.

Meanwhile, combine flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture.  Whisk together sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla; fold in crushed pineapple and carrots.  Add to flour mixture, stirring just until dry ingredients are moistened.  Fold in toasted pecans and raisins. Spoon into lightly greased muffin pans, filling 2/3 full.  Bake at 350 for 23 to 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted comes out clean.  Cool in pans on wire rack 5 minutes.  Remove from pans and cool completely.  Makes 2 dozen muffins.

* Batter can be poured into 2 greased and floured 8x4 inch loaf pans and baked at 350 for 55 to 60 minutes.  Makes 2 loaves.