Carrot Cake Muffins

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

1. Preheat oven to 375°F with rack in upper third. Oil or butter muffin tins.

2. Sift together whole-wheat pastry flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt.

3. In separate bowl, beat together eggs, sugar, oil, buttermilk and vanilla.

4. Using whisk or spatula, stir in dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Do not beat; a few lumps are fine, but make sure there is no flour at bottom of bowl.

5. Fold in raisins or pecans and carrots. Spoon into muffin cups, filling them to just below the top (about 4/5 full).

6. Place in oven, and bake 25 minutes until lightly browned and well risen.

Martha Rose Shulman advises that these keep for a couple of days out of the refrigerator, for a few more days in the refrigerator and for a few months in the freezer.