When I’m trying to curb a craving, generally the only thing that soothes my sugary soul is to bake. I call it Be-good Baking because I make an effort to keep the recipe as clean and low in calories/sugar as possible. The challenging part is trying not to sacrifice taste in the process. I’ve thrown away more ruined concoctions than I care to admit (food that my dogs will sniff but refuse to eat) but I’ve been able to sacrifice a few recipes as well.
I know that we just had our first day of Spring not too long ago but is there really an off-season when it comes to pumpkin? I think not. I eat it all year round. I use it in my brownie mix; add a little to my hot morning cereal; put it into my pancake batter and yesterday, into my muffins. With family coming into town this weekend I’ve been busy playing homemaker and wanted to have a little comfort food on the counter after their long day’s journey.
I’ve had the base recipe since my Weight Watcher days and tweak it here and there depending on what I’m in the mood for. The outcome is great every time I hope you like it.
1 cup all purpose flour (or 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup wheat flour)
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 cup oats
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup pumpkin
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup fat free sour cream or Greek yogurt
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup cranberries
Blend wet ingredients. Blend dry ingredients in a separate, larger bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in wet ingredients. Add cranberries. Mix until just blended. Divide evenly into a 12 muffin pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 17 minutes or until middle springs back when you gently press on the center of a muffin.
* I chopped my cranberries and added them to the tops of my muffins (see above pic) but honestly they’re better left whole and mixed into the batter. It gives just the right amount of added sweetness. You can also add or substitute nuts, mini chocolate chips, even a ripe banana. Give your imagination some exercise with this recipe and have fun with it.
Have a great weekend, everyone.
XO,
~Ellen
I prefer subbing pumpkin instead of apple sauce (when cutting down on fat). The color looks richer and the texture is a little better. Plus it is more earthy-ish tasting. And don’t your muffins look lovely. Your family will love them. Wrap yourself up in a lofat muffin of love!
I don’t know why more people don’t substitute pumpkin instead of applesauce. You’re right. Definitely has a different flavor but not enough to be overpowering. The only plus to adding applesauce in my opinion is that it gives a slightly sweeter flavor than pumpkin does, but I still like pumpkin better.
Hey, I am gonna use pumpkin to jigger with a oat/blueberry muff recipe this weekend. I like the idea of less sweet than the applesauce.
Did the family love them? I am so glad I checked back on this because I was RACKING my brain this morning trying to remember what your family was supposed to be enjoying. But I was too darn braindead.
So now I hope to know. LOL
Bookmarked! Thank you, Ellen!
I hope you can work some magic and make these even better, Cammy. I love it when people expand on recipes!
Can’t wait to try this one. Bought a boatload of cranberries when they were on sale and have been looking for a variety of ways to use them. Perfect!!
I’m starting to use cranberries instead of raisins. They taste so much better, to me. I hope you get a lot of baking enjoyment from those, Sharon.
These look great!!! I’ve had a lot of luck just substituting regular flour with Pamela’s Baking and Pancake mix (gluten free flour) and it often turns out so good you don’t notice a difference. I get it on Amazon. I’ve heard that Bob’s redmill gluten free mix is also really good.
Just a thought! I’m totally into muffins for the family. I even tried using coconut oil instead of vegetable oil and it was really good.
We love cranberriese, but I haven’t done much with pumpkin. I have to stock up!
I’ve never heard of Pamela’s baking/pancake mix. Amazon is becoming a great place to shop – I do get Bob’s Redmill here. Great alternative idea, tree!
MMMmmmmMMM! Thank you!
You’re welcome! BTW, they go perfect with a cup of tea