Oh My My Pumpkin Muffins

My baby turned 5 last month. FIVE. FIVE. As in 5 years old.

He came to my room in the morning. We snuggled, per usual. Then I surprised him with presents.

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We brought healthy treats to school. Pumpkin Muffins sporting dirt lovin’ diggers.

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These are to die for. Seriously.

Moist. Flavorful. Tasty. Yummy. Fun.

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Each muffin had exactly 4 chocolate chips or white chocolate chips tucked inside. To create the “dirt” we crumpled up classic cream cookies.

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You must know by now that I have denied my son of life’s typical pleasures that many-a-child knows and loves (and possibly takes for granted). He knows not that a person can eat a handful of m&ms. Seriously. To this day we count out jelly beans. This started during potty training (despite all the articles I read warning this would likely result in an inevitable eating disorder). I confess, he's never had m&m's, at least not while I was standing around, and the jelly beans I get for him are naturally flavored and colored. He's never had a Snicker's bar or any other check-out lane last minute treat. He was taught, from an early age, the words chemical and organic. He recognizes the organic label on products which thrills me. :)  I know. I’m mean.

We do not have many things in our pantry that are made with unnatural ingredients. In fact, most everything we eat is organic. I make exceptions when it comes to beef — grass-fed works with our budget. I’m not over-the-top about it, so if you'd like to invite us over for dinner, we make no fuss over what we are graciously served. I know a good deal when I see it, and any time I do not have to cook is a serious treat for me. :)

Eating this way is a personal choice for us.

I’m over-explaining for the fact that my son has been denied cookies that are not name brand. He will need therapy for this when he's older.

Back to the cookies.

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They taste delicious too!

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(In case you are wondering, the cereal you see in the background is this.)

OK, down to the gritty. Please, make these. They are so yummy, and they are light on spice. If you LOVE pumpkin spice, by all means, add more. I prefer the delicate taste of naked pumpkin myself.

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Pumpkin Muffins 

(all organic ingredients except for leavening agents)

INGREDIENTS
  • 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 15 ounces solid-pack pumpkin (from a can or box)
  • 1/3 cup safflower oil (or canola oil)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 ¼ cups sugar
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • Topping: 2 classic cream cookies with the cream scraped off

DIRECTIONS
  • Sift flour and baking powder in a small bowl
  • Mix pumpkin, oil, eggs, cinnamon, sugar, baking soda, and salt until smooth
  • Whisk in flour mixture until just combined
  • Fill muffin cups 3/4 full
  • Top with crumbled cookie
  • Bake at 350F for 25 minutes until puffed and golden brown and a wooden pick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean

YIELD

12 muffins

Adapted from Gourmet November 2006

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