The warming spices of autumn make baking a dream – little permeates the kitchen so thoroughly as the wafting scents of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Each of those aromatic seasonings combine to lend these pumpkin spice muffins a distinct fall essence. Oatmeal and whole-wheat flour add a touch of heartiness, and the addictive maple-cinnamon topping makes these muffins irresistible. Looking for a way to use up the remaining can of pumpkin? Whip up a batch of pillowy glazed pumpkin cookies for dessert!
Pumpkin Spice Muffins
Topping
1/3 cup rolled oats
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/2 Tbsp brown sugar
1 Tbsp maple syrup
1 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Muffins
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup flour
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice*
1 cup canned pure pumpkin
1/2 cup lowfat milk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 Tbsp maple syrup
Preheat oven to 375°F and line a 12-cup standard muffin pan with baking cups; coat baking cups with cooking spray. For the topping, whisk together oats, cinnamon, and brown sugar in a small bowl; add maple syrup and melted butter, then toss mixture with a fork. Set aside.
Whisk together oats, flours, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice in a large bowl. Combine pumpkin, milk, eggs, oil, vanilla, brown sugar, and maple syrup in a medium bowl; add to flour mixture and stir just until combined.
Fill each baking cup 3/4 full of batter and sprinkle evenly with topping, tapping gently. Bake for 15 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let muffins cool in pan on a wire rack for 2 minutes before removing from pan to serve warm or cool completely. Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 days.
*Make your own pumpkin pie spice: mix 1/4 cup cinnamon with one tablespoon each of ground ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Store extra in an airtight container.
Yield – 16 muffins (serving size: 1 muffin)
Calories – 145
Carbs – 25
