Autumn Baking

Every Autumn I experience a renewed enthusiasm for nesting. There is something about the chilly winds and the falling leaves that pushes me inward....back into the house with a desire to fill it with homey decor, delectable fragrances and comfort foods. There's nothing better than hot spiced cider and Pumpkin nut muffins to do just that!

Unable to find just the right recipe for the muffins, I decided to try my hand at concocting a recipe. I have to say, these are pretty darn good....and they filled the house with a wonderful Fall aroma.

Pumpkin Nut Muffins

1 cup flour

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup sugar

2 T. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 tsp. ginger

1/2 cup low fat buttermilk

1/4 cup light olive oil

1 egg

1 cup pumpkin (or more)

(I used a whole 15 oz can of pumpkin and they were a bit moist)

1 cup chopped walnuts

Crumb Topping

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup flour

1/2 stick butter, refrigerated

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Beat pumpkin, egg, buttermilk, oil. Add dry ingredients and mix well. Add nuts. Spoon into greased muffin pan and top with crumb topping. (To make crumb topping...use a pastry blender to mix butter with flour and sugar until it forms coarse crumbs. Add walnuts) Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

Tastes like pumpkin pie.....yummy!