Chadya's Kitchen Dramas: Pumpkin Muffins

Monday, January 18, 2010

Pumpkin Muffins

By Andrea

2 1/2 c Sugar
1 c oil
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract

3 1/2 c flour (I used whole wheat)
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
grated nutmeg

2/3 c water
29 oz Can pumpkin

1 c Chopped nuts (optional)
3/4 Raisins or cranberries (optional)

Raw sugar (or other coarse-crystal sugar) for sprinkling on top.

Preheat oven to 350 F

In a large mixing bowl, beat Sugar, oil, eggs and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Alternately add water and pumpkin to wet ingredients. Then beat in Pumpkin on low. If using, fold in nuts and/or dried fruit with spatula.

Grease muffin cups, fill 3/4 full, and sprinkle tops with raw sugar. Bake at 350 F for about 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. You may have to do 2-3 batches depending on how many muffins your tins will cook. I got about 2 1/2 dozen.

Personal notes:

the original recipe only called for half as much pumpkin, but I had a larger can so I used that and the muffins turned out moist and delicious.

I can not tell at all that I used whole wheat flour, probably because of the sugar and how moist everything is.

I did my first dozen with no nuts and raisins for my son, and it was easy to just add them to the second batch.

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About This Blog

I am here because my Facebook account is overwhelmingly dominated by food and recipe postings. Being that I love to share new ideas, and I love to invent new recipes, I am here. typing little letters on a page. little letters that add up to my version of art, when my life is too chaotic and busy to paint a painting, or anythings else. I am a mom and I work full time. I find that, in order to get my creativity fix, I must combine my household duties with my artwork. Thus my kitchen dramas.

I appreciate the critique of my Toddler, who loves his food. A design is nothing if not given his seal of approval, big wide eyes and an MMMMMMM. (this is emphasized especially in the case of COOKIE DOUGH!)

I also would like to point out that some ingredients used, while they can be expensive, can be found more reasonably priced if you are careful. i will include shopping tips when these cases arise. I often need the services of my local asian, mexican, and arabian markets for ingredients. Know where yours is.

With the shift in emphasis on organic and more healthful ingredients, remember that substitutions can be made for white sugar, white flour, butter, and so on. The best thing about cooking is that a recipe can be simply a template, and like this blog can be customized. Most of my recipes are my interpretations on a classic, or a general formula. like a quick bread or a cookie can be made from anything, if you know the ratios.

And so, without further ado, I will introduce my blog, where pungent and spicy ingredients like vinegar, capers, smoked fish, anchovies, bleu cheese, curry, and peppers take center stage. Where a great cookie can be inspired by a great cocktail, or a simple peppercorn. where bread is never ever made in a food processor, and rarely is a box used, as getting your hands dirty is almost a requirement.