Maple-Chai Pumpkin Muffins

The Halloween pumpkin that I decorated with a stick-on mustache, google eyes, and a crooked drawn-on smile yielded lots of pumpkin purée.

This pumpkin purée came in handy this weekend as I baked and prepared for a houseful of guests which will start descending in waves on our abode starting Tuesday.

Maple-Chai Pumpkin Muffins from Eliot's Eats

Maple-Chai Pumpkin Muffins

 

Maple-Chai Pumpkin Muffins
based on Healthy Maple Pumpkin Muffins

1¾ c.  finely ground whole wheat flour*
1 t.  baking soda
½ t. fine sea salt
1 ½ t. homemade chai spice (See recipe below.)*
⅓ c. melted coconut oil
½ c. maple syrup
2 farm fresh eggs, at room temperature
1 c.  pumpkin purée
¼ c. 2 %  milk
1 t. pure vanilla extract
⅓ c. plus 1 T. pepitas, divided*

Preheat oven to 325 F. Line muffin tins with muffin cups or spray with cooking spray.  (I used one regular size muffin tin and one mini-muffin tin.)

In a medium mixing bowl, add flour, baking soda, salt and spice.   Whisk together to incorporate.  Set aside.

In a bowl of a stand mixer or large bowl, whisk the oil, maple syrup and eggs.    Mix in the pumpkin purée, milk, and vanilla.    Remove bowl and stir in dry ingredients and pepitas.  Mix with a wooden spoon until just incorporated.    Do not overmix.

Scoop batter into prepared muffin tins.    Divide the remaining tablespoon of pepitas and sprinkle on top of each muffin.    Bake muffins for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Cool pans on racks.   Wait until cool to serve.

*See notes.

Maple-Chai Pumpkin Muffins from Eliot's Eats

Now, for the promised bonus recipe:  Chai Spice.

Chai Spice

3 T. ground cardamom
1 T. ground cinnamon
½ t. ground cloves
½ t. ground nutmeg

Combine spices.  Store in an air-tight container.

How to use:

  1. Use instead of pumpkin pie spice in recipes.
  2. Use instead of apple pie spice in recipes.
  3. Add to waffles, pancakes, or muffins that call for cinnamon for a spicy breakfast.
  4. Stir into coffee.
  5. Add a bit to hot apple cider.
Chai Spice from Eliot's Eats

Chai Spice: This smells divine.

 

NOTES:

  • You may substitute  1 cup white flour + ¾ cup whole wheat flour.
  • If you do not want to make homemade chai spice, you can substitute pumpkin pie spice.
  • If you prefer, you may substitute old-fashioned rolled oats, pecans, walnuts or even white chocolate chips for the pepitas.

Although these are “healthified” with whole-wheat flour, coconut oil and 2% milk, The Hubs offered the following advice:  “These could use a sweet drizzle on top.”  I do imagine they would be a bit more attractive with a drizzle of white chocolate, cream cheese frosting or even a simple stream of powdered sugar/milk glaze.

I, however, think these are just sweet enough.

Enjoy your baking, menu development, grocery shopping, and house cleaning if you are hosting this year’s Thanksgiving shindig.

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