Pumpkin Muffins

For the second day of Pumpkin week, I decided to turn to breakfast for inspiration.  These pumpkin muffins are from an Ellie Krieger recipe so not only are they delicious, but good for you as well.  A muffin and a little yogurt make the perfect quick breakfast for me and I love it when I know the muffin is as healthy as the yogurt.  It's a great way to start the day.

Pumpkin Muffins
Makes 1 dozen

Cooking spray
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup whole-grain pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons unsulphered molasses
1/4 cup canola oil
2 large eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup lowfat buttermilk
1/4 cup pumpkin or sunflower seeds (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose and whole-wheat flours, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger and cloves. 

In a large bowl, whisk the sugar, molasses, oil and 1 egg until combined.  Add the other egg and whisk well.  Whisk in the pumpkin and vanilla.  Whisk in the flour mixture in two batches, alternating with the buttermilk.  Whisk just until combined.

Pour the batter into the prepared muffin pan and sprinkle with the pumpkin or sunflower seeds, if using.  Tap the pan on the counter a few times to remove any air bubbles.  Bake for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center of one of the muffins comes out clean.

Let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.  Run a knife around the muffins to loosen them and unmold.  Cool completely on the rack.

Slightly adapted from Ellie Krieger

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