Tuesday, October 27, 2009

It's All About the Pumpkins . . . and the Pumpkin Raisin Muffins . . .

If I received a cupcake for every single time within just this past week that I've either heard, read, or spoken the word "pumpkin," I think I'd have enough inventory to open a bakery. Halloween week really seems to be all about the pumpkins. In light of this fact, how could I not jump on the big, round, bright-orange band wagon? I just had to do it. I jumped right on up there, and the view's very nice, very colorful.

I don't think I have ever made pumpkin muffins of any kind before (either that or I just blanked it out of my memory for some reason that's been lost to history), so I was really pleased with the way these turned out. On a whim, I made them in mini-bundt pans, and dog-gone if they don't look even more pumpkin-like than I'd anticipated.

You might say these muffins are kind of two-faced. Put them bundt side up and they look like, well, little bundt cakes masquerading as pumpkins. Flip them over and they look pretty much like a nicely convex traditional muffin, with that beautiful golden glow that just seems to scream "October! Falling leaves! Goblins and ghosts! Get out the rake!" (You know the glow I mean? . . . it's a pretty hue, isn't it?).

The recipe I used is one I adapted from Elizabeth Alston's little book called, appropriately, Muffins. It's one of at least two books she wrote that focus on a nice sampling of breakfast foods, especially breakfast breads (scones, biscuits, etc.). I altered the formula for her pumpkin chocolate-chip muffins. I used raisins instead of chocolate chips, and I changed the spices, leaving out her recommended pumpkin-pie spice entirely. (I don't have any of that, and what's in it anyway? One just never knows.) I used cinnamon, ginger, fresh nutmeg, and a pinch of ground cloves instead--not too much of any one spice. Her recipe also called for almonds, which I've omitted. Oh, and I doubled her recipe and rewrote her instructions.

Anyway, it's a really good recipe and I'd definitely use it again. So, without further ado, I offer my own contribution to the ever-enlarging family of pumpkin muffins. Happy Halloween!

Pumpkin Raisin Muffins

(For a printable version of this recipe, click here!)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use baking spray to coat two mini-bundt pans that produce 6 minis each. Or, use a couple of regular muffin pans (for approximately 16 regular size muffins). Use paper or foil muffins cups, or grease the muffin cups well. No mixer is needed for this recipe.

3 and 1/3 cups All Purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
4 large eggs
2 cups canned plain pumpkin
1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 and 1/2 cups raisins
1 tsp. ground ginger
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1 pinch of ground cloves
Scant 1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and soda, spices, and salt.

Break the eggs into another bowl and lightly stir them to break them up. Add into that the melted butter, pumpkin, and the raisins. Stir well to completely combine.

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients in the large bowl. Fold together until everything is just moistened. Don't overmix.

Scoop the batter evenly into your pans.

Bake for about 20 minutes or so, until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Turn out onto a rack to cool.

Aren't they cute? See, I told you so. Okay, now take a bite of one . . . yummy, yes? Enjoy!


(To comment on this post or to read any existing comments, just click on the purple COMMENTS below!)

19 comments:

Irene said...

These look so wonderful!!!! How I love mini bundts!

Monica H said...

Hi Jane,

Your muffins look really tasty. I sure could use one or three right now! and I like that you baked them into a mini bundt then flipped them over for muffins- cute.

I wanted to thank you for stopping by both by blogs and for leaving the sweet comments that you did. I truly appreciate them.

xoxo, Monica

Allison said...

I heard the other day that there is a legitimate pumpkin shortage this year. I immediately went out and stocked up. So glad you were abel to get you hands on some as well. These muffins look delicious!

Snooky doodle said...

oh these look delicious . I m so tempted to try these beauties

Rylan said...

Hi Jane,

Your creations looks super appetizing. I'd love to try these one day. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Karine said...

Great combo of spices in your muffins! Thanks for sharing :)

lisaiscooking said...

Pumpkin and raisin sounds fantastic, and I love the look of the mini bundts!

Jane said...

Hi Irene -- I love mini bundts too! Have you been following the Food Librarian's bundt month posts? Very funny and innovative!

Thanks!
Jane

Hi Monica, So glad you like the muffins! :) You're very welcome, re your blogs. I will be dropping in on you again very soon!

Warmly,
Jane

Hi Allison--
Yes, I've heard that too about the pumpkin shortage, but so far have seen no real evidence of it in Michigan. (Hmmm, then again, I was just at the grocery store and only saw canned pumpkin pie "mix" vs. regular plain pumpkin . . . perhaps that means something sinister!
;) Happy Halloween!
--Jane

Hey there Snooky --
Thanks very much! They were indeed tempting muffins. . . but, alas, they are all gone from my house now! -- Jane

Hello Rylan--
I visited your blog yesterday and the cake you posted just recently is really very beautiful. You must have a lot of cake decorating experience. Do you do it professionally?
-- Jane

Hi Karine--
Thanks very much! Hope you have a fun and spooky Halloween! :) Best,
Jane

Hi Lisa--
Many thanks for stopping by! Pumpkin baked goods sure can handle a lot of spice, that's for sure. I'm glad you visited!

Warmly,
Jane

Rylan @ Art and Appetite said...

Those look soo divine. I just want to grab it from my computer screen.

My Casa Bella said...

They look amazing. I bet they'd be good with craisins and nuts as well...MMMMM. I make a pumpkin muffin with a sweet surprise in the middle, a creamcheese filling, its incredible!! I should make them and post them huh??!!
My Casa Bella

Unknown said...

Jane--your muffins look wonderful! Thanks for sharing this one! Love your mini-bundt pans--those are perfect! BTW--have loved the Food Librarian's bundt posts this month. Very funny, indeed!

Marysol said...

Oh, they look adorable, not to mention, delicious.
I'm suddenly craving pumpkin muffins, so I know what I'll be making this week.

Erika from The Pastry Chef At Home said...

Hi Jane,

Cute mini bundts/muffins! Anything pumpkin is good in my book. I read your About Me - so nice what you wrote about your Aunt Lydia and how she inspired you. I wish you the best of luck in your sweet journey!

Jane said...

Hi Rylan-- Thanks again! Your blog "Art & Appetite" has a lovely format. Very nice!
:) Jane

Hi Arlene -- Your surprise-in-the-middle pumpkin muffins sound extremely tempting . . . I love cream cheese anything! I am sure THAT comes as no surprise!
;) Jane

Hello Nina, Thank you! Yep, those little mini-bundt pans are good for something, which is a good thing because those babies weren't cheap! :) Jane

Marysol -- In another message you mentioned that you're from Michigan! Where do you live? I tried to surmise this from your "about me" in your blog, but no luck! I am dying of curiousity and would love to know.
Warmly,
Jane

Dear Erika,
Thanks so much for that nice comment. I appreciate it very much. Your blog, by the way, is wonderful!
Please visit again,
Jane

Anonymous said...

Hi, Jane. Beautiful blog! And those muffins are out of this world! They look so appealing, that one has an urge to grab them from the screen and run.
I have a question where did you get those muffin pans. Thanks.

Audrey said...

Hi, Jane!
thank you for linking to me...I like your blog, and I have a feeling I'll be bookmarking a lot of your recipes...:)
Audrey

CeeBee said...

We cant buy canned pumpkin in Australia, so i guess fresh cooked mashed pumpkin will do? But these look so nice, cooking with pumpkins always reminds me of my lovely grandma.

Unknown said...

I had a recipe similar to this years ago & lost it. Am so thankful I found your website. These look just the same as mine and the bundts, how creative! I can now make them because of you. Thank you!!

Tammie R said...

Made these tonight and they are amazing! Best recipe I've ever used! This is "pinworthy" and def added to my board!!