Tropical Muffins Made with Crushed Pineapple, Shredded Coconut & Pecans

It does seem like I’m on a bit of a “baking kick” lately. I just realized why…. my dear friend and neighbor Frank recently returned from spending the summer at the mouth of the Connecticut River on his “boat”, which sleeps four and has more space than some apartments. (He’s always kind enough to have me as his guest several times each summer – maybe because I show up with food!)  And now he’s back. Frank is a Dessert Lover of The First Class – hence, my renewed interest in baking. So, without further ado – here’s the recipe for Tropical Muffins.

Tropical Muffins – Pineapple, Coconut & Chopped Pecans

Makes 12 Muffins

Grease a 12 unit muffin tin.     (You can also use cupcake liners…. but I, myself, am not crazy about them because, sometimes, the muffins stick to the liners. And I refuse to give up even a teeny, tiny bit of these muffins.)

++  Any leftover Tropical Muffins can be reheated the next morning in a toaster-oven. In fact, I’m enjoying two warmed-up muffins right now with a lovely cup of mocha coffee, which equals “Happy Tummy”!

Oven at 400 F     Bake for 20 – 25 minutes.       ++ Be sure to check at the 20 min. mark !!

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 TBS. baking POWDER
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• one can (8 oz.) crushed pineapple – drain & save the juice !
  
• ++ add enough water to the pineapple juice to make 3/4 cup liquid
• 1 egg
• 1/3 cup oil
• (The juice & water will be mixed with the egg & oil…)
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans – or walnuts
  
• 1/4 cup shredded coconut    (Desiccated coconut for my European etc. friends)
• 12 maraschino cherries – drained on paper towel (These will go on the top.)

Set aside the drained crushed pineapple, 1/4 cup chopped pecans & 1/4 cup shredded coconut

Mix 2 cups flour, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 TBS. baking POWDER & 3/4 tsp. salt In a large bowl.

In a small bowl, add the pineapple juice from the drained crushed pineapple ( plus enough water to bring the total liquid to 3/4 cup ) 1 egg and 1/3 cup oil – mix briefly.

Now place the pineapple juice/egg/oil mixture, and the 1/4 cup chopped pecans, 1/4 cup shredded coconut and crushed pineapple into the large bowl containing the flour/sugar/salt/baking powder. Mix gently – just until everything is combined. You don’t want to over-mix because you want your muffins light and fully!

Using a 1/4 cup measure, fill each muffin cup 3/4’s full. Place a maraschino cherry in the center of each. (Don’t poke down the cherry, or it’ll disappear as the muffin rises.

Bake at 400 F for 20 – 25 minutes. ++ Be sure to check after 20 minutes. My muffins were ready in 20 minutes.

To ensure your muffins are fully cooked, insert a toothpick or a sharp knife into the center. If it comes out clean – they’re ready! 

Share these, warm from the oven, slathered with butter, with your family & friends. That is… if you’re feeling generous. Enjoy !!