Oregon Morning Muffins

     My friend, Nancy, (Nancy of the Thrift Store adventures) lives in Montana.  Before she became "Montana Nancy" she was "California Nancy" and taught Home Ec at the same High School where I worked.  Nancy is an amazing cook and taught me how to make sushi and biscotti among other taste bud delites.  I've continued in the biscotti making (almost every week) but my sushi skills are another story.  Best to leave the sushi making to the pros.
     Nancy is also a published cookbook author and today I would like to share her recipe for Oregon Morning Muffins.  Don't ask me where the name came from.  Maybe an Oregon pioneer woman who lived on a mountain woke up one morning and decided to make some muffins.  All I know is that these muffins are amazing.  Here is the recipe:

2 cups flour                                                                           1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 1/4 cup sugar                                                                     1/2 cup shredded coconut
2 tsp. baking soda                                                                 1/2 cup carrots, grated (1 large carrot)
2 tsp. ground cinnamon                                                          3 eggs
1/2 tsp. salt                                                                            1 cup vegetable oil*
2 cups grated apples (about 2 apples)                                     2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup raisins, dried blueberries or Craisins

* You can substitute 3/4 cup of either plain or vanilla Greek Yogurt for the oil.

In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, making soda, cinnamon and salt.

Stir in apples, berries, nuts, coconut and carrots.  Mix well.

Beat eggs with oil (or Greek yogurt) and vanilla; stir into flour mixture just until combined.  Spoon batter (I like to use and ice cream scoop.  Much easier than a spoon.) into greased muffin tins or use cupcake liners, filling 3/4 full.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until springy to the touch.  Cool in tins on a cooling rack for 5 minutes.  Remove from tins and serve warm.

I hope you will try these delicious muffins.  Betcha can't eat just one.

Until next time...