CEimB: Pumpkin Pie Muffins

This weeks Ellie recipe was chosen by Hap and Fappy at Oddball Oven Mitt.  The choice was perfect in many ways:  It recognizes the seasonal flavors; It was basic and easy; It was the best pumpkin muffin I’ve ever tasted.  Seriously…the name is perfect for this muffin, “PUMPKIN PIE MUFFIN“.   The sweet aroma of pumpkin, molasses and brown sugar that filled the kitchen should have been captured in a spray bottle so I could keep squirting it all year long (less fattening that way). 

The recipe is found on page 21 of The Food You Crave by Ellie Krieger or HERE at foodnetwork. 

I made a few changes as follows:

• Instead of using 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ground ginger, 1/4 tsp cloves, and 1/8 tsp nutmeg, I simply used 1 3/4 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice.

• Instead of using 3/4 cups dark brown sugar, I used 2/3 cups simply because I keep a 1/3 scoop in with my dark brown sugar and it was a handy grab.
• Instead of using 3 TBS unsulfured molasses, I used 4 TBS Blackstrap Unsulfured Molasses.

• Instead of using 3/4 cup low fat buttermilk, I used 3/4 cup powdered buttermilk (reconstituted). This was a better option for me because I keep this powdered buttermilk on hand rather than wasting a container of fresh buttermilk.

As I was whisking the sugar, molasses, oil, eggs, then adding the pumpkin and vanilla, I was inhaling with such force, I could have passed out.   It smelled SO GOOD!

I poured the batter into my 12 prepared muffin cups and to my complete delight, I had some batter left over. Into the cupboard I went, quickly grabbing a mini loaf pan.  I mixed a handful of golden raisins into the remaining batter and poured it into the mini loaf pan. All filled cups and pans were sprinkled with pumpkin seeds and into the oven they went.  

As the timer approached the 15 minute mark, the aroma was hypnotizing.  “Oh glorious, glorious muffins..hurry up!”   Unfortunately for Ted, he missed all this since he had a bad sinus back up.  He kept checking the liquor cabinet since he couldn’t understand my intoxication. 

Obviously by now you know I had more than one.  Teddy came over for dinner and after he left, I noticed 3 were missing.  These little beauties won’t last long in this house.

Standing ovation for Oddball Oven Mitt! Great – Super – No… TERRIFIC choice.

BAKE FOR THE CURE:  Visit http://www.bakeforthecure.com.  You can post a recipe that has special meaning to you or a loved one affected by breast cancer.  Behind every recipe is a story of love, hope, courage and inspiration.  This was issued in the Observer-Dispatch in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.   If you love to bake, BAKE FOR THE CURE.

Joanne