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CARROT APPLE ZUCCHINI MUFFINS WITH CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

Sana Umer
These Carrot Apple Zucchini Muffins are soft, moist, and packed with fresh veggies and fruit for natural sweetness. Topped with a rich cream cheese frosting, they make the perfect breakfast treat or dessert!
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 12 people
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

For the Muffins:

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup brown sugar packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • ⅓ cup vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • ½ cup grated carrot
  • ½ cup grated zucchini squeezed dry
  • ½ cup grated apple peeled and squeezed dry
  • ¼ cup chopped walnuts or pecans optional

For the Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 4 oz cream cheese softened
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar

Instructions
 

Step No.1: Preheat Oven

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or grease with cooking spray.

Step No.2: Mix Dry Ingredients

  • In a large bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.

Step No.3: Mix Wet Ingredients

  • In another bowl, whisk brown sugar, eggs, oil, vanilla, and applesauce until smooth.

Step No.4: Combine and Add Veggies

  • Slowly mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Gently fold in carrot, zucchini, apple, and nuts.

Step No.5: Bake Muffins

  • Divide batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling about ¾ full. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step No.6: Cool and Frost

  • Let muffins cool completely before frosting.

Step No.7: Make Cream Cheese Frosting

  • Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add vanilla and powdered sugar, mixing until fluffy. Spread or pipe onto muffins.

Notes

  • Squeeze the zucchini and apple well to remove excess moisture for fluffy muffins.
  • Make them healthier: Swap half the oil for Greek yogurt or more applesauce.
  • Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • No Frosting? Sprinkle with powdered sugar instead!
  • Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
  • Raisin Muffins: Add ¼ cup raisins for extra sweetness.
Keyword apple muffins, Carrot muffins, healthy muffins, vegetable muffins, zucchini muffins