I'm really glad that this week's Tuesdays with Dorie recipe was an easy one. Last week at work was very long (my boss was on vacation, leaving me as the only manager). And then this weekend I managed to catch the cold that Jamie had that Gillian had that now I have... I'm sure I'll live, but right now I'm quite miserable. I walked around work on Monday with a box of tissues in one hand and a bottle of hand-sanitizer in the other. My nose hurts. And I still can't breathe.
Thanks to Kelly of Sounding My Barbaric Gulp! for this week's Pumpkin Muffins. This one fit right in with my craving of all things fall. I made them for breakfast Sunday morning, making a couple of changes to the recipe. I've been trying to make our meals a bit healthier by adding some whole grains in ways that my kids won't complain about. So I substituted a cup of white whole wheat flour for one of the cups of all-purpose flour. I also increased the salt to half a teaspoon. I divided the batter in half so I could make a couple variations. To one half, I added a couple tablespoons of mini chocolate chips. To the other, I added a handful of raisins (maybe a third of a cup?). After scooping the batter into my muffin pan (with my handy-dandy #16 disher), I sprinkled some pepitas over the tops of the raisin ones. Apparently I can't read recipes correctly, because I could have sworn that it called for pepitas. But after reading a comment on the P&Q, I went back to the recipe and realized that it actually called for sunflower seeds. Oops. =) I baked the muffins at 400 degrees F, but only for 20 minutes, which was just right for my oven. (I really need to get an oven thermometer one of these days...)
The verdict? As I expected, Brianna loved the chocolate chip version. I think Gillian preferred the raisin one, but she mostly just picked the raisins out and ate them, leaving the rest of the muffin on her plate. I thought both versions were great. I really liked the addition of the pepitas on top--a bit of salty crunch to complement the moist texture of the muffin. Jamie liked them, too. I'll definitely be making these again.
Want to try some pumpkin muffins for yourself? Then get yourself a copy of the book, or head on over to Kelly's blog for the recipe.
Ooh, our muffins are twins! The whole wheat flour is really good in these, not that the flavor is detectable but it's good that it's there! Glad these were a hit at your house.
ReplyDeleteNancy
Pepitas, raisins or chocolate, and whole wheat flour? I think I need to bake more with you, all of that sounds and looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteThese look gorgeous, Di! I think that using pepitas instead of sunflower seeds was a mistake that made your muffins even better! I used half whole wheat flour in one of my batches, and I don't think I'll go back -- it doesn't change the flavor, but it is makes the muffins a wee bit healthier. I'm glad your kids liked these! Mine did as well, and I know they'll love them even more if I add chocolate chips next time! Hope you feel better soon!
ReplyDeleteOh, thanks for all the lovely suggestions of ways to interpret this recipe with other ingredients...I am not creative enough to think of them on my own, that's for sure! Yours look so wonderful...all your photos are just wonderful, too. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLooks great!
ReplyDeleteI need to get me a #16 disher.
i love the changes you made - healthier is always good! i'm making notes in my cookbook in case i ever make these again.
ReplyDeleteI love that you healthied yours up. I never think to do that. I'm going to have to try these with chocolate chips. I loved the craisens in mine though. I just love pumpkin in anything! Your muffins look fantastic.
ReplyDeletethey look really tasty! the whole wheat flour was a great idea. hope you feel better soon :)
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better SOON! That colds does sound quite nasty. The muffins, however, look wonderful.
ReplyDeleteYour muffins look delicious! I have to start going healthier with my baking it is so hard to get whole grain goodness into little ones! I hope you feel better!
ReplyDeleteSorry about your cold. The muffins should help with anything that ails you. They look so yummy and I'd love one with pepita and chocolate.
ReplyDeleteYour muffins look good and moist. Yummy! Great texture. Hope you feel better. In case you couldn't smell them baking, they smelled like fall.
ReplyDeletehope you feel better soon! your muffins look delicious!
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic! (I think the temp is too high it's probably not your oven). Hope you feel better!!!
ReplyDeleteI think the pepitas are great and makes more sense for a pumpkin muffin. ;) Glad you and that fam liked the muffins! Get well soon...
ReplyDeleteClara @ iheartfood4thought
These look delicious! Your pictures are great!
ReplyDeleteGreat job! I love both combos!
ReplyDeleteI hope those gorgeous muffins made you feel a little bit better! I like the pepitas addition on top - it sounds like a good mistake!! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry it too me almost a week to get over here! Your muffins look fabulous! I'm adding you to my blogroll :)
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to thank you for your sweet comment about my mom. I'm sorry about yours too. Until it happens to you, you just can't know the pain of it all. At least we have good memories! Our moms would be proud of us cooking, wouldn't they? :)
ReplyDeletei was glad to have a simple recipe, too. your muffins look so fluffy! i don't think mine rose quite so much
ReplyDelete