pumpkin muffins & variation

...because so many of you commented on them and asked for the recipe, here it is! Just a word about the strange measurements: the original recipe called for 2 cups of pumpkin puree. So, what do you do with the remaining cup and a bit in the 796 ml can? Adjust the recipe and add it all in! (Rachel L. this is actually your mom's recipe from the 97/98 Calvinette cookbook.) Skip to the bottom for a variation that Carter and I tried yesterday when Carter requested chocolate cupcakes: Chocolate Banana Muffins! oh, yeah! (say it like the Kool-Aid Man)

Pumpkin Muffins
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Whisk together:
3 1/4 cups, plus 2 tbsp flour (substitute up to 25% with ground flax!)
1 1/2 tbsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp allspice
1 1\2 cups chocolate chips, raisins, dates; you pick!

In separate bowl, beat 5 eggs and add:
3 cups/can of pumpkin puree
3/4 cup each brown sugar and granulated sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

Mix wet ingredients into dry, fill muffin cups 3/4 full (but you're using your handy-dandy ice cream scoop that scrapes the inside when you squeeze the trigger so all the muffins are the same size, right?!), bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes. (my oven does it right in 16 minutes). Makes 3 dozen.


Chocolate Banana Muffins (cuz you've always got tonnes of bananas waiting in your freezer)
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Whisk together:
1 3/4 cups, flour (substitute up to 25% with ground flax!)
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips

In separate bowl, beat 4 eggs and add:
2 cups mashed bananas
1/2 cup each brown sugar and granulated sugar
1/2cup vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla

Mix wet ingredients into dry, fill muffin cups 3/4 full (and you're using your handy-dandy ice cream dipper/scoop so all the muffins are consistent size, right?!), bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes. (my oven does it right in 16 minutes). Makes 2 dozen.

To try next: Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Muffins? replace the cocoa with flour, sprinkle the tops with toasted chopped walnuts or pecans before baking...

HAPPY BAKING EVERYONE!