Saturday, November 5, 2011

Baked Sunday Mornings: Pumpkin Cheddar Muffins

LOOK AT THAT MELTED CHEESE--HOT OUT OF THE OVEN
JUST OUT OF THE OVEN

I LOVE good, moist muffins, in all their wonderful varieties, and I really LOVE pumpkin...especially during October and November.  I usually choose versions of both muffins and pumpkin that are on the sweet side and I love lots of good flavor.  Even though the Pumpkin Cheddar Muffins have brown sugar, it is not pronounced, making this variety a nice change for me...I immediately ate 4 right out of the oven, before they had a chance to cool even slightly.



THESE PUMPKIN CHEDDAR MUFFINS ARE GOOD ENOUGH FOR THANKSGIVING DINNER
HOT AND DELICIOUS WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS AND TRADITIONAL PUMPKIN SPICES
Just to compare, and because I had made fresh pumpkin puree (and because I expect company to help eat them) which gave me about 4 cups of pumpkin for today’s baking, I decided to double the recipe and to also make a double batch of my usual pumpkin with chocolate chips muffins...LOVE pumpkin and chocolate together; it’s happiness.

There was nothing unusual about the pumpkin cheddar recipe except for a pretty before-baking garnish of grated cheese, which browned nicely and is an appealing touch.

I baked my muffins...and I got 18 per batch...for 18 minutes and they were perfect with nicely browned bottoms and a perfectly browned top.

MY USUAL VARIETY
Next time, I’ll use pepper jack cheese for a more spicy flavor; my taste buds in my brain tell me it would be really good in this recipe.

My Usual Moist Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
1 C Flour
2 t Baking Powder
2 t Cinnamon
½ t Nutmeg
½ t Ginger
½ t Salt

Sift above together.

In a mixer bowl, whisk together:
½ C sugar
1 C pumpkin
4 T Butter, room temperature
½ C Evaporated Milk
1 Egg
1 ½ t Vanilla

Remove bowl from mixer, add dry ingredients and fold together just until combined.

Makes 12 muffins.  Bake 400^ for 18-20 minutes in the middle of oven.  For no mess, use cupcake papers.

(For a different variety, use golden raisins instead of chocolate chips)

MY MUFFIN--COULDN'T WAIT FOR IT TO COOL, BUT LOVE THAT GOOEY MELTED CHOCOLATE
Hope you are all keeping warm!  Phoenix went from 110 a month ago to 60 today...I think I may need to go into hibernation...I'm not ready for this!  But it does actually really feel like November.


I had planned to add pumpkin seeds to the top of my Pumpkin Cheddar Muffin, however, someone cute ate them all...but these are good enough to bake again, so next time I'll add them.

9 comments:

  1. We loved these, too Kris! I'm definitely going to try yours since I have leftover pumpkin puree - and agree Chocolate & Pumpkin is a great combination!

    I passed on the Duck for FFWD, but am going to try the Lamb since my husband thinks it sounds good. I was a little surprised at how expensive Lamb is, but I've never bought it before.

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

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  2. Your muffins look delicious!

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  3. I loved these too and agree that they are special enough for Thanksgiving! I'm going to have to try your pumpkin chocolate chip muffins - they look yummy!

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  4. Both versions look so good and I love pumpkin and chocolate together. I like your idea of trying the muffins with pepper jack cheese. Hope you are having a good weekend and even though it is a drastic change in temps there I am glad that you are experiencing fall-like weather.

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  5. I totally agree that these are perfect for T-Day dinner. Great post, and they look delicious.

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  6. cute muffins! and your chocolate chip version looks delish!

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  7. Love the pepper jack suggestion - I will have to try that! Impressed you made the puree (test) too! They look fantastic. Pumpkin / chocolate - a true winner!

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  8. Hi, Kris,

    This is the best website I've found for hints on food photography: http://www.foodportfolio.com/food_photography/index.html

    He has tutorials, too. You know, we can all improve - when I look at my posts from almost 2 years ago, I'm almost embarrassed! LOL!

    The other thing my brother & I learned at a photo class is not to center everything in the middle of the frame.

    However, I don't think your photos of your grandkids could be any cuter!

    xoxo

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  9. I love the idea of using pepper jack. I've already got a request to make them for Christmas dinner (we usually make chili!).

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