There’s a special kind of muffin that feels like a complete, nourishing breakfast all on its own.
It’s the legendary Morning Glory muffin—a classic packed with everything good, from shredded carrots and apples to nuts and raisins.
It’s hearty, wholesome, and delicious. But what happens when you take that beloved classic and give it a cozy, autumnal twist? You get something truly magical.
Imagine a quiet fall morning, the air just crisp enough to make you crave something warm from the oven.
You grab a freshly baked muffin, its top a beautiful golden-brown, studded with crunchy pecans and sweet coconut.
As you peel back the paper liner, the most incredible aroma fills the air—a perfect harmony of warm pumpkin spice, sweet apple, and earthy carrot.
That first bite is a revelation: unbelievably moist, packed with texture, and bursting with flavor. These are pumpkin morning glory muffins, and they are the ultimate way to start a fall day.
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The Ultimate Breakfast Muffin Gets a Fall Makeover
The original Morning Glory muffin was created in the 1970s and quickly became a bakery staple, beloved for being a “kitchen sink” muffin that was both healthy and delicious.
It’s famous for its complex texture and flavor, thanks to a long list of wholesome ingredients.
This recipe for pumpkin morning glory muffins honors that tradition while infusing it with the unmistakable comfort of the fall season.
We’ve taken the classic base and swapped some of the moisture-providing ingredients for pure pumpkin puree.
The result is an even more tender and flavorful muffin, with the pumpkin providing a beautiful, subtle sweetness and a deep, earthy note that pairs perfectly with the traditional carrot and apple.
The spices are amped up to a classic pumpkin spice blend, creating a muffin that is the perfect marriage of two iconic breakfast treats.
It’s everything you love about a classic Morning Glory, wrapped in a warm, pumpkin-spiced hug.
Why This Will Be Your New Favorite Fall Muffin
In a season filled with pumpkin-flavored everything, these pumpkin morning glory muffins truly stand out.
They are more than just a sweet treat; they are a hearty, satisfying, and incredibly flavorful breakfast that will keep you going all morning long.
Here’s why you’ll be making this recipe on repeat:
- Incredibly Moist & Textured: The combination of pumpkin, apple, and carrot creates a wonderfully soft crumb, while nuts, seeds, and coconut provide delightful texture in every bite.
- Packed with Wholesome Goodness: Loaded with fruits, vegetables, and nuts, these muffins are a treat you can feel good about eating.
- The Perfect Blend of Flavors: The warm pumpkin spices beautifully complement the natural sweetness of the apple, carrot, and coconut.
- A Truly Satisfying Breakfast: These aren’t light, airy cupcakes; they are hearty, substantial muffins that make for a complete and nourishing start to your day.
Gathering Your “Everything-But-the-Kitchen-Sink” Ingredients
One of the things that makes a Morning Glory muffin so special is its wonderfully long and varied ingredient list.
While it might look like a lot, each component plays a crucial role in creating the final, complex flavor and texture.
Think of it as assembling a beautiful mosaic of flavors. Clear your counter, pull out your grater and your favorite mixing bowl, and let’s get ready to create something truly spectacular.
For the Muffins:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup pumpkin puree (100% pure pumpkin, not pie filling)
- 3 large eggs
- ⅔ cup vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup grated carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
- 1 medium apple, peeled and grated (about 1 cup)
- ½ cup shredded coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
- ½ cup raisins (or dried cranberries)
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts
A Step-by-Step Guide to Your New Favorite Breakfast
Let’s walk through this fun and rewarding recipe together. The process is straightforward, and the result is a batch of warm, fragrant pumpkin morning glory muffins that will make your kitchen the coziest place to be.
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
First, position a rack in the center of your oven and preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
Because these muffins are so moist and packed with ingredients, liners are highly recommended for easy removal.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, add the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, and salt.
Use a whisk to combine them thoroughly. This is an important step to ensure the spices and leavening are evenly distributed, which leads to muffins that rise beautifully and have consistent flavor.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a separate medium-sized bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth, glossy, and well-combined. The mixture will be a beautiful, vibrant orange.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Pour the bowl of wet ingredients into the large bowl containing the dry ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the two mixtures together until they are about halfway combined. Don’t worry about getting it perfectly smooth yet.
Step 5: Fold in All the Goodies
Now for the best part! Add the grated carrots, grated apple, shredded coconut, raisins, and chopped pecans to the bowl. Continue to gently fold everything together until all the ingredients are evenly distributed and just combined.
The golden rule for tender muffins is not to overmix. A thick, lumpy batter is exactly what you want here. Overmixing will lead to tough muffins, and we are aiming for a soft, tender texture.
Step 6: Fill the Muffin Tin
The batter will be very thick and full of texture. Using a large cookie scoop or two spoons, divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups.
The cups will be very full, which is what helps them bake up into big, beautiful, hearty muffins.
Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection
Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The pumpkin morning glory muffins are done when the tops are a deep golden brown and a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
Step 8: The Cooling Process
Carefully remove the muffin tin from the oven and place it on a wire cooling rack. The aroma will be absolutely intoxicating! Let the muffins cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. This allows them to set up a bit, so they are easier to handle and won’t fall apart.
After 10 minutes, gently transfer the muffins from the pan directly to the wire rack to finish cooling completely. They are delicious warm, but their complex flavors will meld and deepen as they cool.
Serving and Storing Your Wholesome Treats
These pumpkin morning glory muffins are a complete breakfast in a paper liner. They are so packed with flavor, texture, and wholesome ingredients that they are absolutely perfect just as they are.
They make a fantastic, satisfying breakfast for busy mornings or a wonderful, nourishing snack to get you through an afternoon slump. Enjoy one with a hot cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk for a truly perfect fall moment.
If you want to add a little something extra, a smear of cream cheese or a pat of salted butter melting into a warm muffin is a simple and heavenly pleasure.
To store your muffins, make sure they have cooled completely. Place them in an airtight container lined with a paper towel to help absorb any excess moisture and keep them fresh.
Because they are so moist, they are best stored in the refrigerator, where they will stay fresh and delicious for up to a week.
These muffins also freeze wonderfully for up to 3 months—they are a fantastic treat to have on hand for a quick and hearty breakfast.
A Final Thought on the Joy of a Hearty Breakfast
There is something deeply comforting about starting your day with a meal that is both delicious and genuinely nourishing.
It sets a positive, grounded tone for whatever lies ahead. Baking, especially something as wonderfully textured and aromatic as this, is an act of care—for yourself and for those you share your kitchen with.
This recipe for pumpkin morning glory muffins is an invitation to embrace that feeling.
I hope you find a quiet morning to fill your home with the incredible scent of these muffins baking, to enjoy the simple pleasure of creating something wonderful from a bounty of good ingredients, and to start your day with a small, perfect moment of warmth and satisfaction.
May your autumn be filled with cozy mornings and many delicious, hearty treats.
