Morning Glory Muffins

Prep: 30 min., Bake 23 min., Cool: 50 min.

Yield: Makes 2 dozen muffins

Ingredients

• 1  cup  chopped pecans
• 3  cups  all-purpose flour
• 1  teaspoon  salt
• 1  teaspoon  baking soda
• 1  teaspoon  ground cinnamon
• 1/2  teaspoon  ground nutmeg
• 2  cups  sugar
• 3/4  cup  canola oil
• 3  large eggs
• 2 1/2  teaspoons  vanilla extract
• 1  (8-oz.) can crushed pineapple, undrained
• 2  large carrots, finely grated (1 cup)
• 1  cup  golden raisins

Preparation

1. 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 on a wire rack (about 15 minutes).

2. Meanwhile, combine flour, salt, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and nutmeg in a large bowl; make a well in center of mixture.

3. Whisk together sugar, canola oil, eggs, and vanilla extract; 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 two-thirds full.

4. Bake at 350° for 23 to 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans on wire rack 5 minutes. Remove from pans to wire rack, and cool completely (about 30 minutes).

Note: Muffins may be made ahead and frozen in a zip-top plastic freezer bag up to 1 month, if desired. Remove from bag, and let thaw at room temperature.