Vanilla Crunch Muffins.
I think I’ll let the batter do most of the talking.
I love vanilla. I love muffins. This is a recipe that brings the two together in perfect harmony.
I gave my muffins some “crunch” in two places. First, inside the muffin with pecans. Feel free to use the nut of your choice. Second, on top of the muffins with additional pecans, shredded coconut and course sugar. I adore course sugar.
It’s all about texture my friends.
I really enjoyed the muffins with the addition of the yogurt and applesauce. They were dense but moist. And super vanilla-y. They made me want to blast I’m Every Woman by Whitney Houston and dance around like a complete maniac.
But that’s just me.
inspired by Ina Garten
makes 12 muffins
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup vanilla greek yogurt
1/3 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
contents of one vanilla bean
1/2 cup chopped pecans + more for garnish
raw course sugar for garnish
coconut for garnish
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place muffin cups in muffin tins.
Mix sugar, applesauce, yogurt and egg until creamy and light yellow. Add vanilla beans and vanilla. Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Add milk. Stir until completely smooth. Fold in pecans. Spoon the batter into the muffin tins. Top with course sugar, coconut, pecans, or anything else to give it a “crunch.”
Bake for 20-25 minutes, until toothpick poked in center muffin comes out clean.
What is your idea of the perfect muffin? I think my next one must include bacon.
89 Comments on “Vanilla Crunch Muffins.”
Mmm, these sound amazing. I love muffins because they are like the little sister to cupcakes. This recipe will be made in the near future!
Vanilla bean AND vanilla? I love baking with vanilla extract (I use a powdered form – I think it’s imitation?) because afterwards my hands smell amazing. Even after washing. But sometimes I just wash them sloppily on purpose because I just love that smell.
Very yum. Great toppings- especially the coconut. I think these would make a tasty tasty snack or breakfast. Maybe with some coconut butter on top? Deliciousness. Happy weekend!
They look delicious! Ina Garten recipes are the best, aren’t they? I think I have said this before, but I love your round table, Jessica! :-)
looks like a good reason to buy actual vanilla beans!
These look amazing!
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I wanna munch me some of these crunch now!
YUM! My perfect muffin is a cupcake ;)
Does that count?
Yum! I am adding those to my breakfast recipe list! I love the pumpkin banana nut muffins I made last weekend…just finished the last one! Have a great weekend, Jess!
OMG. you had me at vanilla. i’m SO making these!!
I love Ina Garten, I wish I lived next door to her.
Love anything by Ina! (And you!)
I love muffins! I’m always looking for new recipes for the husband’s lunches. These are going on the list – I am all about texture as well :)
Uh…YUM. Love the pecans and coconut on top!!
Haha…”I’m Every Woman” is on one of my running playlists, and every time it comes up I sing along…it really motivates me :-)
These look like they would be awesome motivation as well!
This sounds delicious! I love vanilla and the combination of nuts! This must’ve made your home smell great!
Those look so freaking yummy. I love intensely vanilla flavored things. If I made these i could see myself dunking them in milk chocolate before every bite…cause I’m obsessed with chocolate as well. :)
Can I come live with you?
Yum, what about crumbled bacon instead of coconut on top?? It’s all about texture!! ;)
Sounds good to me!
My perfect muffin is one that gets confused for a cupcake. Like these. :)
Oh my gosh these look great! PS. I saw lots of your recipes on Pioneer Women. Love that blog:)
these sound amazing! I love anything vanilla, and I LOVE muffins.
my favorite is one with creme cheese in the middle. is that more of a cupcake? :D
HAPPY WEEKEND !
Must. Try. ASAP.
I just love your recipes! Happy Friday!
Yum!
Wow! Muffins have never made me salivate so much. :) Definitely saving this one.
These are a giant, mega, ultra win.
i love everything about these muffins…they look delicious!!
could i use banana (may overpower the other flavours!??) or almond milk instead of yogurt?
I really am not sure since I haven’t tried it that way, but I think it’s worth a try!
These muffins look healthy too! Hurray for the dynamic duo of taste and health!
omg these look so good!! i love the addition of vanilla greek yogurt! and pecans and coconut!!! as you know I am not the best baker, so you can come over and bring me one hehe :)
Thanks for the shoutout to the lesser recognized flavor (aka vanilla). I think vanilla rocks and love it as the main flavor in my baked goods!
I could just eat the batter! yum
mmmmmmm pecans…reminds me of home :)
These look great! Plain old vanilla is one of my favorite flavors!
Wow :)
Hmmmm . . . the perfect muffin . . . for me, it would have to be chock full of berries. Warm from the oven, and with just the right amount of butter spread on it. Oh, and accompanied by coffee–that’s a must. =)
i love ina. oh to spend just a day with her in her fabulous kitchen–i’d do all the dishes.
My husband takes a homemade muffin to work every morning, and I have been meaning to change up the recipe for a while now. These will be perfect! Thank you for sharing, Jessica. So glad I found your blog.
Glad you found me too! :)
Ina is always my go-to! I’ve never made anything that was less than heavenly from her recipe arsenal!
That looks incredible! I love a good vanilla cake!
-Amalia
http://buttersweetmelody.wordpress.com
That batter definitely is talking… it’s saying YOU CAN’T RESIST ME! And it’s right. These look SO good~!!
Have you not made a muffin recipe with bacon before? This slightly surprises me. :) Here’s a dare for you: banana bacon muffins. Ready….go!
I actually made some cheddar bacon muffins about 6 months ago, but the photos were too sad to even post about. That and I may have… ate them before they could really be photographed.
Perfect muffin? Hmmm… blueberries… I miss fresh blueberries so much!
My favorite muffins have cinnamon and maple and vanilla flavors all in one. That is my heaven.
This sounds pretty darn close to the perfect muffin! I love any and all things vanilla…obviously when in cake form ;)
Amazing! I think I found my baking project for the weekend. I’m a bit confused on whole wheat flour. When I go into the store, I’ve seen regular whole wheat flour and then I’ve seen white whole wheat flour. Then I’ve heard people mention pastry whole wheat flour that isn’t as grainy as regular whole wheat flour, although I’ve never been able to find that in stores. What do you use?
I always will say “pastry flour” in the recipe if I use it, and in this case I did. I use the Bob’s Red Mill brand and find it in my local grocery store (which never has ANYTHING) in the health/organic section. If you can’t find it I am pretty sure you can order it online? I really love it in baked goods.
Thanks for clearing up my confusion!! I’ll have to keep my eyes open for Red Mill!
You’re welcome! I am sure there are other brands out there too, I am just not aware of them.
These look GREAT! Vanilla is my favorite favorite flavor, so something like this would be my perfect muffin. Maybe with a nice streusel topping. Yeah.
Yum! I agree, your next muffin must include bacon. I’m in the mood for a savory muffin. ;-)
These look incredible! I’m all about crunch in my muffins. And my perfect muffin must include something banana . . . that’s my favorite!