Dean's Favorite Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

I make several batches of these every fall, and they are my son Dean's absolute favorite.  I started with a traditional pumpkin bread recipe, eliminated the oil, subbed in some whole grains, and added chocolate...what more could you need?

1/2-3/4 c sugar...if you are trying to use less, you can get away with it if adding mix-ins or a topping
1/2 c applesauce
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
3/4 heaping cup all purpose flour
3/4 heaping cup whole wheat flour
1 t baking soda
1 t salt
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t nutmeg
1/2 t cinnamon
1 t pumpkin pie spice
1/2 c water
1 c canned pumpkin
1/2 chocolate chips

Mix dry ingredients in one bowl.  Blend applesauce, eggs and vanilla (plus agave, if using) in a second bowl.  Add dry mixture to wet, alternating with water.  Mix in pumpkin. Stir in chocolate chips.

Pour into muffin tin prepared with nonstick spray.  Bake about 20 minutes at 350.  Let cool 5-10 minutes, then remove muffins and finish cooling on wire rack.

My daughter is having a couple of girlfriends over for a Halloween playdate.  As part of the themed brunch, I am making these without chocolate chips in the batter...instead will melt them and create a spider web pattern on top!  If they turn out well I will post a photo.

Sunday, 10/30: Not bad! Although they would be cuter with a little plastic spider if I had some...

Autumn Harvest Muffins

I am always trying to get veggies into my kids, not to mention meet my own five-a-day quota. Last week I rummaged through my freezer looking for inspiration, and came across a box of cooked winter squash puree.  Thus my Autumn Harvest Muffins were born...told the kids they taste like butterscotch, and ya know, they really kinda do.

3/4 c all purpose flour
3/4 c whole wheat flour
1/2 c oat bran (or really, whatever other finely ground grain you have on hand)
1/4 c brown sugar
1 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
2/3 c pureed cooked winter squash
1/2 c applesauce
1 egg
1 c buttermilk (scant cup milk with 1 T lemon juice; let sit 10 minutes)
1/2 t cinnamon

Mix dry ingredients in one bowl, wet in another, then blend till combined.  Pour into sprayed muffin tins* and bake about 20 minutes at 350.  Let cool 5-10 minutes, then remove muffins and finish cooling on wire rack.  Makes 12-14.

*Optional: cut 1.5 T butter with 1 T flour and 1.5 T brown sugar; sprinkle over batter for streusel-like topping.