Spicy Pumpkin Carrot Muffins
From http://www.fancypantsfoodie.com Don’t be afraid. It really is yummy. Today is my mom’s birthday. By the way, did you know that October 5 is the U.S.’ most common birthday? One would logically surmise this is because of New Year’s Eve. Hmmmm. Anyway, mom didn’t want a super-sweet cake, so I decided to make something seasonal and just sorta sweet. Started reading through various cookbooks’ versions of pumpkin bread, pumpkin cake, pumpkin muffins. Muffins seemed my best bet, but the recipes were making me yawn. So, I put on my Fancy Pants hat and got creative. Hence the following recipe. Whenever I cook with my daughter, I tell her that, whenever possible, to use a “secret” or “surprise” ingredient, something nobody would try on their own, or are hard pressed to pick out exactly what “that something” might be. She was at school today while I made the muffins, but I think she would have gone the same direction. Cayenne. And baby food. ************************************* In my original batch, I only put the cayenne on three of the muffins, as an experiment. I should have done them all! Well, kids probably wouldn’t like it, so maybe you could go half-and-half. And in case you didn’t see my earlier tweets, they get two “noms” up! They smell incredible, aren’t too sweet, and have a great depth of flavor, even without the cayenne. The carrot puree keeps the whole thing moist. And you don’t have to tell anyone it’s baby food, or even that it has carrots at all. Maybe next time I’ll come up with a lower-fat version with applesauce rather than the butter. We’ll see. Let me know if you try it…these are great!
Total Steps
9
Ingredients
14
Tools Needed
5
Ingredients
- 2 sticks unsalted butter
- 2 cups dark brown sugar, packed
- 2/3 cup molasses, unsulphured
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 14 ounces canned pumpkin (or cooked, pureed pumpkin)
- 3.5 ounces carrot baby food (or cooked, pureed carrot)
- 3.5 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, raisins or currants
- 1/4 cup almond slivers, walnut halves or pieces, or pecan halves or pieces
- 1/8 teaspoon chipotle or cayenne powder(optional)
Instructions
Step 1
<a href="/H3S4YV46">Preheat oven </a>to 400 degrees. If using fresh, cooked pumpkin, <a href="/KXN5X3J8">strain </a><a href="/HGX4TB7D">puree </a>for at least 30 minutes in cheesecloth or a wire sieve.
Step 2
In a standing mixer, <a href="/R3P5MM3Z">cream </a>the butter at medium-high speed until soft and lightened in <a href="/HT4RHHGB">color. </a>Add molasses and 1 1/2 c. of the <a href="/D434P8MH">brown </a>sugar, <a href="/3CYMY2D7">beating </a>until combined and light in texture.
Step 3
Add the eggs, pumpkin and <a href="/VYSXFJY6">carrot,</a> and <a href="/7S3QCKWK">mix </a>on medium speed until <a href="/S6W4FR7F">blended.</a>
Step 4
In a <a href="/WRFN6T6X">separate </a>bowl or on a flexible <a href="/XZBDDD5G">cutting </a>board, sift together the flour, <a href="/DPSVTKVY">salt,</a> <a href="/RNT367Z2">baking </a>soda, cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour into wet ingredients and gently <a href="/8M4FMXQ6">fold </a>together, being careful not to overmix.
Step 5
<a href="/8M4FMXQ6">Fold </a>in the cranberries, raisins or currants.
Step 6
Using a <a href="/NX588QBK">spoon </a>or large disher (what I used), fill muffin cups three-quarters full. Place three almond slivers in the middle of each muffin <a href="/R34ZSY3M">top,</a> pointing up slightly in a radiating pattern. (If using walnut or pecan <a href="/JXYLJGZ5">halves,</a> place one at an upward angle in the middle of each muffin. If using pieces, sprinkle a small amount on each muffin.)
Step 7
In a small bowl, <a href="/7S3QCKWK">mix </a>remaining 1/2 c. <a href="/D434P8MH">brown </a>sugar with chipotle or cayenne powder. Sprinkle liberally on <a href="/R34ZSY3M">top </a>of muffins.
Step 8
<a href="/RNT367Z2">Bake </a>for 12 – 15 minutes.
Step 9
Best if <a href="/Y6MVNCHX">served </a>immediately, so the <a href="/R34ZSY3M">topping </a>remains <a href="/8J3RJ3MF">crisp.</a>