Description
These carrot muffins with pineapple are moist, tropical, and warmly spiced. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting and bits of pineapple, they’re perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Quick to make in just 30 minutes, and easily adaptable for different dietary needs.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup finely grated carrots
- 1/2 cup crushed pineapple, well drained
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut (optional)
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pineapple chunks for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- In a separate bowl, beat eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla until smooth.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients and mix just until combined. Do not overmix.
- Fold in grated carrots, crushed pineapple, coconut, and walnuts if using.
- Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each 3/4 full.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Cool in pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth and creamy.
- Frost cooled muffins and garnish with pineapple chunks if desired.
Notes
- Drain the pineapple well to prevent soggy muffins.
- Use freshly grated carrots for best texture and moisture.
- You can skip the frosting for a lower-sugar option.
- Store frosted muffins in the fridge and unfrosted at room temperature.
- Freeze unfrosted muffins for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snack, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin with frosting
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg