Saturday, February 11, 2012

Pumpkin Oat Bran Muffins

"It's just a little something I threw together" has turned out to be a standard go-to recipe. Because I wrote it down this time. If you cook like me, experimental and hap-hazard, messy and fearless, you probably don't keep notes as you go. This time I did and I am so glad because Baking is a bitch who doesn't play around. She's not gonna give you perfection unless you play by her rules, which are actually pretty simple.
1. Read.
2. Measure.
Even simpler is this recipe, because there's no sifting. Enjoy.

Preheat oven to 350f.
Using a hand or stand mixer combine in large bowl:
1/2 c. melted butter
1 c. packed brown sugar
1/4 c. milk
3 eggs
1 15 oz. can pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract (optional, but So Yummy)
In separate bowl gently whisk together:
1 c. all purpose flour
1 c. oat bran
1 1/2 Tbs. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. allspice (optional, but So Yummy)
Topping: combine 1/4 cup white sugar & 1 Tbs. cinnamon
Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
Line muffin tin with paper muffin cups and fill cups 3/4 full. The fuller they are increases the possibility for those coveted muffin tops.
Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and bake at 350f. for approx. 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Makes 12-15 muffins