Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups whole-wheat pastry flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 13 cup raw brown (turbinado) sugar
  • 13 cup canola oil
  • 1 13 cups buttermilk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 23 cup golden raisins tossed with 1 teaspoon unbleached all-purpose flour, or 2/3 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 1/2 cups grated carrots

Method

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees with the rack in the upper third of the space.
  • Oil or butter muffin tins.
  • Sift together the whole-wheat pastry flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt.
  • In a separate bowl, beat together the eggs, sugar, oil, buttermilk and vanilla.
  • Using a whisk or a spatula, stir in the dry ingredients and mix until well combined.
  • Do not beat; a few lumps are fine, but make sure there is no flour at the bottom of the bowl.
  • Fold in the raisins or pecans and the carrots.
  • Spoon into muffin cups, filling them to just below the top (about 4/5 full).
  • Place in the oven, and bake 25 minutes until lightly browned and well risen.