Morning Glory Bread
A flavorful, moist bread packed with grated carrots, apples, raisins, nuts, and coconut, perfect for breakfast or snack, appealing to those who love fruity, nutty baked goods.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar ⓘ
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar ⓘ
- 1/2 cup margarine or butter, softened ⓘ
- 3 eggs ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons vanilla ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1/2 cup wheat bran ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons baking powder ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1 1/2 cups grated carrots ⓘ
- 1 cup peeled, cored and chopped apples ⓘ
- 1/2 cup golden raisins, softened in hot water and drained ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) ⓘ
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F and grease a 9-inch loaf pan.
- In a large bowl, cream together the sugars and margarine until smooth and light.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Stir in vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, combine flour, wheat bran, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add grated carrots, chopped apples, raisins, chopped nuts, and shredded coconut; toss to combine thoroughly.
- Stir the dry ingredients into the creamed mixture, blending well.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan.
- Bake for approximately 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider substituting half of the granulated sugar with maple syrup or honey. If you prefer a healthier twist, replace the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. Ensure your apples are tart, like Granny Smith, for a balanced sweetness. For added texture, you can use Oat Bran Blueberry Muffins as inspiration by incorporating oats into the batter.
Serving Suggestions
Morning Glory Bread is delightful on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a spread of cream cheese or butter. Serve it alongside a fresh fruit salad or a cup of yogurt for a fulfilling breakfast. It also makes a great snack or dessert option, especially when accompanied by a steaming cup of coffee or tea. Consider serving it with Pecan Pumpkin Cake for a charming dessert spread.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover Morning Glory Bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply slice off a piece and warm it in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or toast it for a few minutes until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Morning Glory Bread contains roughly 841 calories, with 7g protein, 113g carbohydrates, and 40g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (58% of the Daily Value), potassium (22% of the Daily Value), and calcium (21% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber and iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1415mg per serving (62% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure that the baking powder is also gluten-free. The texture may vary slightly, but the flavors will remain delicious. Be sure to check if your other ingredients, like the oats or nuts, are certified gluten-free as well.
What can I use instead of eggs?
For an egg substitute, you can use 1/4 cup of unsweetened applesauce or 1/4 cup of mashed banana per egg. This will maintain moisture and add a subtle sweetness. Alternatively, you can use flaxseed meal mixed with water (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water = 1 egg) for a vegan-friendly option.
How can I adjust the sweetness of the bread?
To adjust the sweetness, you can reduce the amount of granulated sugar by up to half and increase the amount of grated carrots or apples, which naturally add sweetness. For a more complex flavor, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or ginger, which can complement the sweetness without increasing sugar content.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).