Friday, October 23, 2009

Pumpkin-Cranberry Muffins



Unless you've lived in a hole over the last several weeks, you've noticed that there are a plethora of pumpkin recipes all over the foodie world. I have bookmarked more than my share and wish I had the time to bake every one of them. However, it would take me forever to bake and blog them all this Autumn season, so I'll try my darndest to get to as many as I can. *wink*

You all know that I have four kiddos that are incredibly crazy about anything muffin-y. Well, when you tell them that their favorite breakfast item has been baked up with pumpkin, they flip. Who knew that all I have to do to enjoy a few minutes of blissful peace is to serve up some pumpkin-y treats? So, when I was browsing through some of my fall baking magazines and saw these little treasures, I began fantasizing about what to do with my brief enjoyment of silence as my little wolves devoured their first taste of autumn.

These muffins were fantastically moist and flavorful and the addition of cranberries offers a nice tartness that offsets the sweetness of the pumpkin perfectly. I also chose to top each muffin with decorator sugar crystals that gave a nice added crunch to the tops.

If you've not jumped off the pumpkin baking wagon yet, you might want to consider baking these little gems for your breakfast table. Your family will definitely thank you!

From the heart of my kitchen to yours, may your experience be fun and the food always flavorful. Enjoy!


Pumpkin-Cranberry Muffins

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped pecans (I omitted)
Decorator sugar crystals

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 12 regular-size muffin cups with shortening or cooking spray or line with paper baking cups.

2. In large bowl, mix flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger and salt. Stir in pumpkin, oil, eggs, cranberries and pecans just until dry ingredients are moistened. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups. Sprinkle sugar crystals evenly over batter in each cup.

3. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove muffins from pan to cooling rack.

Source: Betty Crocker Fall baking 2008

Success Hint: Take care not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can result in tough muffins with peaked tops and tunnels inside.

18 comments:

Amber said...

These sound and look really good!

Heidi said...

Have you ever made the chili that has pumpkin in it? Since you are on a pumpkin kick I think you might like to try it out. Search on allrecipes. I've made it and it's really good.

CaSaundraLeigh said...

Lets just say I have SO many cans of pumpkin in my pantry--this looks like a good recipe to make a dent in my stash!! I love the cranberry/pumpkin combo.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the recipe and Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest! Hope you have a good day...
pk @ Room Remix

Flourchild said...

Thank you Christy for your kind words about my blog! I hope we both can keep up with the fitness and working out. I have a love for it but some days I get tired! I see your a mother of 4 and have a love for God...Beautiful! I have 3 children and a man who I love and fall in love with over and over again. We have been married 20 years! God Bless you and thanks for sharing your blog with me!

Ash said...

These sound really good. I am going to try these we are enjoying cranberry orange muffins this morning.

Cynthia said...

Oh my. These sound terrific. I just might have to make muffins this morning. I love anything pumpkin!

Queenie Jeannie said...

I love pumpkin-cranberry creations!!

teresa said...

oh how yummy! i think pumpkin and cranberry are a great combo!

Me and My Pink Mixer said...

Oh yum - these fit right in with my pumpkin craze I've been going through and I have all the ingredients! Your autumn cookies are adorable too! Thanks for your nice comments on my blog :)

Karine said...

Your muffins sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing :)

Krista said...

Very nice! These are lovely looking muffins and I bet that the sugar on top made them just perfect.

Spencer and Emily said...

These look really good! I am going to make them tonight!

CookiePie said...

Hi Christy - Thanks so much for visiting my blog, and for picking up "You Made That Dessert?"!! I hope you enjoy the book!

Those muffins look fantastic, love the cranberries in there! I have some cans of pumpkin lurking in my pantry, I'll have to try these!

JaelCustomDesigns said...

Popping in from SITS!

What a lovely blog, I must say the recipe looks delicious.

Your cookie bouquets are beyond adorable and that Mickey Mouse Cake was awesome!

Now following your blog...

Barbara said...

What a great combination! I just made some pumpkin muffins..and would have loved adding cranberries. Next time.

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Totally lovin' the plethora of pumpkin recipes!
~ingrid

Anonymous said...

I am not a huge pumpkin fan, so it is great to get ideas from fellow bloggers!

These look delicious!