Thursday 7 February 2013

Pineapple Orange Coconut Muffins

My baking friends, Zoe of Bake for Happy Kids and Doreen of My Little Favourite DIY are hosting the Little Thumbs Up event and the theme for the month is Pineapple. It's a great theme for February as this is Chinese New Year month and pineapples are an auspicious fruit to have during this time. 


I am getting a little tired of making CNY cookies so instead of pineapple tarts, I decided to try out other pineapple recipes and came across a easy to make pineapple muffin. The original recipe uses lemon zest but I thought lemons and pineapples seem a little weird together and it may be too tart . 


I wanted a refreshing but lighter flavour as well as tropical touch to these muffins so I substituted the lemon for orange and added in some dessicated coconut bits.  The result was a light and fluffy muffins full of tropical flavours - the bites of  pineapple was refreshing while the coconut added a little crunch. 


I only used half the amount of sugar recommended below and the muffin was not very sweet - just the way I prefer it. I also made a glaze using a little orange juice and icing sugar to make it look more attractive and give it a little more texture. It was delicious warm with a little butter spread over it - made me feel like I was holidaying on a little tropical island far far away. My kids and friends gave the thumbs up for it!


Wishing all my friends a Happy and Prosperous year ahead! 

Pineapple Orange Coconut Muffins (9 muffins)
Recipe adapted from My Gourmet Connection

Ingredients
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 6 tablespoons milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract (I used orange extract)
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
  • Zest of 1/2 lemon (1 orange)
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup of dessicated coconut (optional)

Method
  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) . Prepare muffin tins by lightly greasing each cup
  • Sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. In a separate bowl, beat the egg, milk and lemon extract until frothy. Add the butter and lemon zest, combine well and stir in the pineapple. Add the mixture to the dry ingredients, combine thoroughly, but don't over mix.
  • Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tins (approximately 1/3 cup each) and bake for 14 to 16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
I am submitting this post to Chinese New Year Delights 2013 hosted by Sonia aka Nasi Lemak Lover.


38 comments:

  1. I wish I will still have time to bake some cakes before CNY.

    Happy Chinese New Year to you and your family.

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  2. Mich, they look yummy and they sound yummy! Definitely a thumbs up!

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  3. Hi Mich
    I am sure these muffins definitely looks yummy....what could I asked for more...pineapple, orange, coconut ooh...yummy yum yum...
    Happy new year to you....have a properous year! Gong Xi Fa Cai!

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  4. How nice, Mich. LOve the citrusy flavours of these muffins. Would love to have some for supper tonight, with a hot cuppa :)

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  5. They look absolutely mouthwatering with the filling! Perfectly made Mich!

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  6. I bet your kitchen must have smelled wonderful while baking these pineapple muffins.

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  7. Oooh I bet the pinapple and coconut are lovely together!

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  8. Hi Mich! Still going strong with your baking and not taking a break? This can also be considered as CNY cake... submit it to Sonia's event too! :)

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  9. Delicious dessert!
    If you have a minute, please check out my blog and follow me if you liked it. I'll appreciate it so much! Thanks!
    www.francescainthekitchen.blogspot.com

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  10. I love these muffins, definitely will try to make it one day.

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  11. Look delicious!!! I love muffins with fruits inside and love pineapple

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  12. This are wonderful muffins Mich. Those tropical flavours are perfect for this time of year when we are desperate for a bit of sunshine and warmth. I always prefer not to add to much sugar either. You get used to it.

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  13. Your muffins look yummy. The combination of flavors sound wonderful!

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  14. Hi Mich,

    You are always very supportive for our baking events... I think we can't "bake" without you...LOL!

    Your muffins look great with these tropical combination... Your family and you must be feeling lucky too eating these "Ong Lai" muffins for CNY!

    Happy CNY... May the snake year bring you lots of luck and happiness :)

    Zoe

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  15. today i just finished my last batch of CNY peanut cookies,,really have no time to bake a cake, last time i usually bake a butter cake before re-union dinner..your muffin looks good!
    I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a Happy CNY and Gong Xi Fa Cai !

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  16. These looks very festive for the CNY festival...wish I have more time to do my baking! Gong Xi Fa Cai!

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  17. Mich , just love the flavor of these muffins :D They look pretty fantastic as well !

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  18. Looks yummy... pineapples in bakes are really good. I loved it the last time we made a pienapple loaf.

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  19. wow..this looks absolutely yummy. I love to have surprise goodies inside it. Makes it even special when you take a bite and discover the filling.

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  20. Delicious pineapple orange coconut muffins, Mich.

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  21. These muffins are lovely twist from the pineapple tart and still perfect for the CNY. They are so gorgeous! :) Wish you and your family a wonderful CNY and a prosperous year of snake.

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  22. Hi Mich, hmm... like this muffin esp. when you say it isn't that sweet. Hopefully to make them after CNY......
    Happy CNY.

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  23. Hope you are enjoying the CNY festivities. I just love pineapples - they are just so succulent and fragrant When I have fruit for breakfast in Hong Kong I have fresh pineapple and mango (in UK - the fruit tends to lack flavour). Great to see them in muffins - I also like the fact that the recipe does not use too much better - Perfect!

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  24. pineapple and coconut is a match made in heaven!
    Gong Xi Fa Cai to u and family, Mich :)

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  25. good choice for making some tropical muffins for cny with pineapple and coconut, they do sound lovely. Happy Chinese new year to you, gong xi fa cai!

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  26. Your food always looks so appetising. I am still trying to think of something to make with pineapple. Happy Chinese New Year to you and your family.

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  27. Happy Chinese New Year to you Mich and all your family :)
    These muffins look sooooooooooo inviting !:)

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  28. Hi Mich, wishing you and family a very happy new year. Gong Xi Fa Cai.

    Delicious muffin, look so good. Yummy!

    Have a nice day ahead.

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  29. eileen, hundred eighty degrees10 February 2013 at 17:32

    Hi Mich, wishing you and your family a happy new year. Gong Xi Fa Cai.: )

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  30. These are gorgeous little muffins. I love the combination of coconut and pineapple and the orange glaze must add an extra dimension too...lovely! :-)

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  31. Happy Chinese New Year! These look delicious, I love a tropical and citrusy twist in muffins!

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  32. This is a very good combination of flavours...I am so used to the classic lemon and orange cake recipes that I forget tropical fruits like pineapple and coconut!! Yum!

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  33. What lovely combo! Love the addition of orange glaze topping & I'm sure these muffins must be very flavorful ! Gong Xi Faa Chai , Mich!

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  34. I love pineapple, and these muffins look like the perfect taste of summer. Thank you for sharing this sweet post. I hope you are having a wonderful week of good food, love, and laughter.

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  35. Oh I just so love those glaze. Xin Nian kuai le.

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  36. First picture of the icing and the second picture of the butter made me crave for these muffins! I'm drinking coffee without anything on the side. Totally wish I have this right now.

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  37. I love Zoe's blog too :) These look so good!

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  38. Hi Mich,
    Pineapple and coconut in a muffin sound yummy yummy.
    I would love to have this with a cuppa of hot tea.

    I am glad to have you linking with our event.. Thanks for your support\(^^)/.
    mui

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