How To Make Carrot And Walnut Muffins

Muffins are a pastry classic with which they always look good. In this case, the recipe for muffins with walnuts and carrots surprises with its way of combining flavors with the spongy texture of the sponge cake.

It is a recipe that you cannot miss when you want to prepare a quick sweet, but at the same time tasty and healthy. In addition, they provide us with many nutrients.

The carrot has antioxidant properties. It contains vitamins A and C, fiber, potassium and magnesium. It is ideal to incorporate as the main ingredient in desserts and cakes, as it gives them moisture, flavor and color. In addition, it combines perfectly with walnuts.

Walnuts are rich in essential fatty acids that promote the proper functioning of the cardiovascular system. They are very nutritious and give the preparations a sophisticated touch .

The following recipe for muffins with walnuts and carrots, in addition to being healthy, is delicious and will appeal to the whole family.

Recipe for muffins with walnuts and carrots

Ingredients for approximately 24 servings

• 1 cup of flour (150 g)
• 5 tablespoons of sugar (75 g)
• 3 carrots
• 1 egg
• 5 walnuts
• 1 tablespoon of virgin olive oil (15 ml) 1 teaspoon of baking powder (5 g)
• 1 teaspoon of ginger (5 g)
• ½ tablespoon of cinnamon, nutmeg (optional) (5 g)
• 1 handful of raisins (optional)
• A pinch of salt.
• Butter to spread the molds (amount needed)

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to a moderate temperature (180 ºC).
2. In a large bowl, place the oil along with the sugar. With a mixer or by hand, mix well until they are completely united and the sugar grains no longer sit.
3. Add the egg and beat again until all the ingredients are well integrated.
4. Wash, peel and grate the carrots to incorporate them into the mixture.
5. Besides,  sift the flour together with the baking powder, the pinch of salt, the ginger, the cinnamon and the nutmeg. If you prefer, skip the latter.
6. Add the sifted flour to the liquid preparation. Mix with enveloping movements until the dough is homogeneous.
7. Break the walnuts into small pieces and add to the rest of the ingredients. Mix well.
8. Spread the muffin tins with a little melted butter to prevent sticking.
9. Fill each mold to the level of the ¾ parts and bake for approximately 35 minutes.
10. Remove and cool to decorate.
11. To know if they are already cooked inside, press the surface of the dough a little. If you get back in shape, they’re done.
12. You can also insert a toothpick in the center and, if it comes out dry, they can be removed from the oven.

The carrot and walnut muffins are already delicious on their own or sprinkled with icing sugar. But they also go very well with different glazes that accentuate their flavor. For example, a white and orange cream cheese, a caramel or chocolate sauce, etc.

White and orange cheese frosting

This cream is light, rich and simple to make, and delicately accompanies these carrot and walnut muffins.

Ingredients

• ½ cup of light cream cheese (100 g)
• ¼ cup of fresh orange juice (50 ml)
• 1 teaspoon of orange zest (5 g)
• 1 tablespoon of icing sugar (15 g)
• ¼ teaspoon of vanilla essence (you can substitute these two ingredients for vanilla sugar) (1 g)
• Walnut halves to decorate.

Preparation

1. In a deep bowl, mix the cream cheese with the orange juice and the vanilla essence.
2. Add the zest and icing sugar. To integrate.
3. Beat all the ingredients very well until a smooth cream is left.
4. Reserve in the refrigerator covering the container with plastic wrap.
5. Decorate the muffins with a top of the cream cheese. Garnish with the walnut halves and serve.

Chocolate bath

Another more sweet option is to bathe the muffins with melted chocolate:

 Ingredients

• 150 g milk chocolate
• 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter (20 g)
• Walnut halves to decorate (amount needed)

preparation:

1. Chop the chocolate. Place it in a bowl along with the butter and microwave for two minutes and integrate the ingredients.
2. Bathe the muffins and, before the chocolate cools, decorate with the walnut halves. To serve.

The carrot and walnut muffins are perfect for breakfast, a snack or to accompany a coffee. They are healthy, rich and nutritious, so they should not be missing from the family recipe book.