Pumpkin Muffins

Nothing says October like something pumpkin baking in the oven.   I have had this recipe for Pumpkin Muffins for many years.   I found it in a booklet I sent for from a Gold Medal flour bag.  Not saying how long ago, but I think I had to tape a quarter to the form to purchase it.   Well worth it - and I have been making these ever since.  

 Pumpkin Muffin Recipe

3 cups all purpose or whole wheat flour

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup coarsely chopped nuts

1/2 cup raisins, if desired

2/3 cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon of salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon of baking powder

4 eggs

1 can ( 16oz.) pumpkin

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Put liners in muffin tins.  Beat all ingredients in a large bowl on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping the bowl constantly.  Beat on medium speed, still scraping bowl, for 45 seconds.  Put mixture into muffin cups ( I use an ice cream scoop sprayed with non-stick spray).  Bake for 20-25 minutes.

You can also pour into 2 loaf pans and back for 50-60 minutes.

Cool completely.  These keep at room temperature for 4 days, refrigerated for 10 days, or...I make a double batch and freeze them.  They freeze beautifully and defrost quickly!

I found these great baking cups on...you guessed it - AMAZON!  They are neutral Fall colors and work great

You can see how easy these are...you just put everything in at once and mix it up.  As with all muffins, don't over-mix or the muffins will be tough.

I don't use raisins...they are full of sugar.  Heck, if I am going to have sugar I want it to be CHOCOLATE!  These mini morsels add a great touch to the pumpkin.

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I put these in at the end of the mixing and just give them a quick mix.

Once everything is mixed I  use an ice cream scooper to put them in the liners....this makes sure they are mostly the same size and gives them a nice, rounded top.

Before popping in the oven I give the muffin tops a light sprinkle with "Demerara Baking Sugar".  You can find it on, you guessed it, Amazon - but I buy it in a big bag at Costco and then put it in this repurposed creamer container.  This makes it easy to sprinkle on top of muffins.

I found these fall leaves sprinkles at JoAnn Fabrics and thought they would be a nice touch...

Just a few on each muffin top look great!

Here is the finished product.  The little leaf sprinkles really held their shape and look so darn cute.

Once they are cool I like to share with my neighbors here in our apartment building.  I often tuck in some fall napkins and a tea bag or two to make a Fall treat.  A little bit of kindness goes a long way during these stressful times.

The rest of the muffins are put in a freezer bag and tucked away for another day.   We like to enjoy them with a bit a cream cheese spread on top - YUM!

Do you like to burn Fall scented candles?  I usually have a candle burning all the time.  I put them on my stove top so that any soot goes into the hood...don't want any marks on my walls.  Even though I use one of those candle topper things I still only burn candles under the hood.  This one smells DELICIOUS !  Sometimes you get a candle that does not really fill your space with the scent, but this one is amazing.

All that baking made me want a simple dinner.  Do you have a Wegmans near you ?  I always buy the crab cakes when we stop by - I cooked these in the air fryer.  Sprayed the fryer with olive oil and then put a little bit of panko crumbs on the crab cakes....so good.  And because we had a salad and the dinner was "healthy"...we had a Pumpkin Muffin for dessert!

I realized today that due to the Covid 19 pandemic this is the longest we have gone without having company.  I miss having guests in our home for dinner, brunch, coffee...how about you ?  We are being VERY careful and not having anyone in for any kind of socializing.  I think it is going to be that way for a long time. Until then, we visit with friends - with masks - on the rooftop deck of our apartment building.  Hoping for better days ahead.   

Thank you so much for stopping by Our New Vista - please leave a comment below and let me know if you have a pumpkin recipe you love, or what you have been baking.  Take care, stay healthy and BE SAFE!