Muffins made with cooked carrot and studded with pistachios
Do you ever just want to kick yourself for your baking decisions? Well, I’ve been doing a lot of that this past week.
It all started when I didn’t get an item on my weekly grocery trip. Then the next day, I was freaking out thinking I wouldn’t be able to bake the rest of the week. Don’t worry though – I still managed to whip up some treats.
However, one of them (well, I take that back) TWO of them, didn’t go as planned.
The first was a carrot cake cookie. I wanted all the typical carrot cake flavors, without sacrificing my favorite cookie texture. So, I was extra careful to keep the liquids to a minimum. I even pressed out extra moisture from the carrots. The dough looked perfect – these were going to be extraordinary cookies – & then – I under baked them. I mean who does that? They were still delicious, but the appearance was only so, so.
On to the next dream bake – Creme de Menthe Pie. I have a record when making pie to have little cornstarch clumps throughout. Now, probably most of my taste testers don’t pick up on the clumps – and they don’t taste bad, but for me it’s just disappointing. So, I researched how to avoid this – the answer, a slurry. Every thing was ready, but – I didn’t use enough cornstarch! I was pretty sure it wouldn’t set, but I took my chances anyway. & – yep it was soup, but a delicious soup at that π
Then on to yesterday’s treat (who’s success or failure is unknown at this time.) I really didn’t know what to make. I wanted to make an Easter related treat, but I didn’t know if I should retry cookies, try a loaf or what. I settled for a carrot inspired loaf. I whipped it all up and threw it in the oven. As soon as I did, I thought – I shoulda topped it with some of the mix-ins for presentation. Then, while it was baking, I thought I should of used the leftover coconut milk I had (I hate wasting things!)
Well, regardless of all those poor baking choices, these Carrot Pistachio Muffins turned out beautifully. While watching The Great British Baking Show and The Great Holiday Baking Show, the contestants kept baking with carrot. First, Ruby baked a carrot and pistachio cake. I was obsessed with this flavor combo! Then Ainslie baked with cooked carrot and I thought, I have to try that. So, these muffins are an ode to Ruby and Ainslie π
These would be perfect to prep your tastebuds for Easter – I can’t believe it’s only a month away!
Ingredients
- 1.75 cups all purpose flour
- 1.25 cups sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp cloves
- 1.33 cups cooked, mashed carrots
- 1/2 cup cashew milk
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1/2 cup chopped pistachios, divided
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease a muffin tin.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. In a medium bowl, combine carrots, cashew milk, and canola oil. Pour liquids into dry and mix until combined. Fold in a 1/4 cup of chopped pistachios and 2 tbsp dark chocolate chips.
- Divide batter among muffin tin, should yield about 18 muffins. Top with extra pistachios/chocolate.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Note: About 1 lb of carrots should yield 1.33 cups mashed, cooked carrots. To cook carrots, cut in 1 inch pieces and place in saucepan. Cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until carrots are tender. Then remove from water and mash with a fork or potato masher.
More Carrot Treats:
Well, these look like a total win Megan! Perfect little treat for the Easter dessert table!
Aww – thanks Mary Ann! I agree π
I CAN SO RELATE – it’s usually when I have walked in the door and taken in all the bags that it dawns on me that I have forgotten one dang thing, and then it’s all I can think about. Meantime, these muffins look AMAZING. Pinning!
Thanks so much, Kate! I wish I could let it go, but I just can’t! & can you believe it happened this week too?!?!
These muffins definitely turned out beautifully, Megan! I love the carrot and pistachio mashup, Megan! I wish I had this for breakfast right now. Looks so fluffy and delicious!
They would be the perfect breakfast treat! Thanks Gayle π
Baking fails happen to all of us, Megan, so don’t fret! And carrot cake cookies? OMG, can’t wait to see those!! LOVING these muffins! I’m addicted to pistachios and love adding them to all the things, so these muffins are totally calling my name! Plus I love that these babies are relatively healthy, totally means I can eat at least 5 in one sitting. Winning! Cheers, girl!
Oh yea, Cheyanne – 5 is totally acceptable π Thanks!
We all have our fail days. Don’t worry about it. All it means is that your next baking time will be so much more incredible! These look delicious, too.
Aww – thanks Mir π
This sounds very special, and I am a great fan of carrot cakes. The addition of pistachio looks outrageously tempting!
Thanks so much, Rahul. The pistachios were the perfect complement π
I never think to use pistachios in baking…I usually just snack on them. These muffins look delicious!
I hadn’t either, Kathy. I hope to bake with them more often!
We all have baking (and cooking) fails all the time. That’s how we grow and learn! You know I’m a muffin fanatic so these look awesome!
aww – thanks Eva π
Ugh I hate when things just are a little off. Like probably only I notice but the perfectionist in me just can’t let it go!! haha So we try try again!! π
These muffins look and sound amazinggg. I adore pistachios … must pick up more soon!
I know, Ashley! Most of the things I mentioned no one else would have noticed it just really bugged me! Thank you π
Pistachios in muffins? Brilliant!
The Old Fat Guy
Thank you π
Oh, yum! I bet the addition of the pistachios is SO good in these muffins! These are great for spring!
You’re right, Blair! Thanks π
This sounds delicious, my daughter is a great fan of muffins. π
You should make her a batch π Thanks Puja!
It’s always sad when baking doesn’t go as planned! These muffins look wonderful though! π
aww – thank you, Laura π
Love these flavors! Wish I had one to go with my coffee!
Thanks Jessica! They would be perfect for breakfast π
I’ll be making a batch of these soon! I love the big chunks of chocolate and pistachios. These are a great twist on a classic carrot muffin.
You should, Ashley! If you do try a batch, please let me know how you like them π
Boo for baking fails, but I’m so glad these muffins turned out for you! They look like such a splendid combo!!
They were a great combo! Thanks Aimee π
Baking mishaps are so frustrating, but they happen! I can tell just by looking at these muffins that they’re just perfect, and I love that you added pistachios to the mix! These look so delicious. π
Thanks Marcie!
Recipe fails are a total buzzkill. It looks like you knocked it out of the park with these muffins though! I love pistachios!
Me too! Thanks Rachelle π
Megan, I know EXACTLY what you mean. You forget one ingredient (of course the most essential one) and you have to change up your entire week of baking plans. But it’s really awesome when you end up whipping up some of your best ideas. Looks like you just won at EVERYTHING with these carrot pistachio muffins. They look so delicious! Pinning right now. π
Aww – thanks so much, Demeter π
I could eat pistachios by the bag! What a great way to enjoy them for breakfast!
Me too! Thanks Julie π
These look awesome, Megan! I think I have everything for these too!
Thanks Christina! You should definitely give them a try!