Carrot-Zucchini Muffins with Candied Ginger
When I saw this recipe entitled with carrots, zucchini and ginger I immediately thought…BINGO! I’ve been looking for a good zucchini bread recipe and I like some versions of carrot cake. These muffins have great flavors that just brim up to the delicately textured crowns. There’s a slight saltiness and the delicate flavor of ginger. The muffins are a different and tasty treat to serve for brunch or grab on your way out the door to work or school. If you’re sharing these tasty quick breads with vegetable-phobic, picky eaters, just tell them these are “ginger” muffins while feeling good that you got carrots and zucchini in their diet!
These are delicious alternatives to muffins that have sugary toppings and including vegetables instead of fruit in your bread. This recipe is a keeper!
- Used 1 cup of whole wheat flour in place of one of the three cups of all purpose flour.
- Added 1/2 cup chopped walnuts.
- Used 1 tablespoon of crystallized ginger in place of the 1/2 cup called for (Note crystallized and candied ginger are the same thing).
- Used vegetable oil instead of canola oil. (I didn’t do it with this batch, but I would also try substituting some of the oil content with applesauce).
- The recipe is originally for 2 loaves of carrot-zucchini bread. I found it makes 12 healthy-sized muffins (teenie cakes!).
by Janet FletcherMakes two 8-inch loaves or 12 muffins
Nonstick cooking spray, for preparing pans
2 cups sifted unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon crystallized ginger, minced
3 large eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 3/4 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup carrots, peeled and grated on the large holes of a box grater
1 cup zucchini, grated on the large holes of a box grater
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)
Preheat oven to 325 degrees for loaf pans OR 350 degrees for muffins. Coat two 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 by 2 3/4-inch loaf pans OR muffin pan(s) for 12 muffins with nonstick cooking spray.
Sift together the flours, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, and baking powder into a medium bowl. Stir in the salt and candied/crystallized ginger.
In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until light and foamy. Add the vegetable oil, sugar, and vanilla, whisking vigorously until the sugar dissolves. Whisk in the carrots and zucchini and walnuts.
Add the dry ingredients to the egg mixture all at once and stir with a wooden spoon just until blended. Divide the batter evenly between the 2 prepared pans OR 12 muffin cups.
Bake until the breads or muffins are well risen and firm to the touch, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Bread: 1 hour baking time at 325 degrees.
Muffins: about 20-22 minutes at 350 degrees.
Let cool in pans or rack for 10 minutes before inverting or removing from pans.
Spices!
Carrot-Zucchini Muffins with Candied Ginger
Note: TeenieCakes.com is not affiliated with the McCormick company other than purchasing their consumer products.
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Just made these and they’re delicious! I used 1/4 cup of candied ginger and only 1 tsp of ground ginger. I also replaced half the oil with applesauce and used only 1 1/2 cups of sugar. They turned out great! Nice and moist, and lots of flavour!
Hi Jess: I’m so glad you liked these muffins too. Good modifications you made, especially subbing some of the oil for the applesauce. That’s a good way to cut down on the oil without sacrificing the moistness (plus you can’t even taste the applesauce).
These are one of my favorite muffins – such great flavor and luv the ginger. There’s another one that’s really good too – the “Carrot-Oat Spice Muffins” I’ve posted here on TC. Good stuff too!
Thanks for your feedback! :)
Oops, my little boy just pushed the enter button before I was done writing.. he he These muffins look so great.
Oh these muffins loo
Love the flavors you’ve combined and I’m such a sucker for candied ginger! :P
It’s impossible not to succumb to that heavenly goodness. The muffins look so rich and inviting :)
Cheers,
Gera
These muffins are simply wonderful! I think children love them, good idea!
Great way to disguise veggies!
These muffins look amazing! I love the addition of crystallized ginger! Yum!
Sounds like a fantastic combination of flavours! I have to admit that I’m not a huge fan of zucchini in baked goods, but I do love me some carrot cake (especially with ginger), so I might just have to try these out to see if they can win me over. :)
Love how you bring all these different flavours together.
I love anything that has crystalized ginger. Plus, the slivers of orange from the carrot make it look really neat. :)
I really like the combination of ingredients you’ve used here. Carrots, zucchini and ginger. I love the spice of the ginger.
The thing I like about your recipes is that I know I can indulge without too much guilt! I need to try this – one more step closer to overcoming my aversion to cooked carrots LOL I love zucchini and the candied ginger is a stroke of genius! Love the pics, as always :)
These look delicious and they are pretty healthy. I will give these a try!
you have the best ingredients in this cupcakes and I’m just loving them
I’m almost smacking myself in the head with this one — carrot cakes, yes, zucchini bread, yes, but together? Duh, Liren! Wonderful muffins – I’m sure they taste lovely! And they’re healthy!
Good girl, using your new cookbook! It does look like it has some wonderful recipes to make good use of our beautiful Farmers’ Market fruits and veggies! The muffins sound perfect with a morning cup of coffee or afternoon snack.
I’ve made both carrot muffin and zucchini bread before, but have never come up with the idea of adding ginger in!
i believe it’s such a great combination.
These muffins look great, Great photos!
Ooh…I like the addition of the crystallized ginger. Must be really tasty with all the carrots and zucchinis. I’ll have to try this the next time I make another zucchini loaf.
Oh those are just gorgeous! I love the combination of carrots and zucchini, I’m sure the addition of ginger give those muffins a very special touch.