Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins

I had house guests this weekend so I thought it would be nice to make some baked goods for the morning in case someone was hungry and I wasn't around to make breakfast yet.  Also, a can of pumpkin has been sitting in my cabinet since Thanksgiving and I have been wanting to use it.  Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins seemed like the perfect thing!

Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins

Courtesy of Cooking Light

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups flour, about 6 3/4 ounces

1 teaspoon baking soda

3/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1 cup sugar

1 cup canned pumpkin

1/2 cup low fat buttermilk

1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

2 tablespoons canola oil

1 large egg

2/3 cup dried sweetened cranberries, chopped

cooking spray

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  

Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife.  Combine flour, baking soda, and next 5 ingredents through cloves.  Stir well with a whisk.

Combine granulated sugar and next 5 ingredients (through egg) in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended.  Add flour mixture to sugar mixture; beat at low speed until just combined.  Fold in cranberries.

Place 12 paper muffin cup liners in muffin cups; coat liners with cooking spray.  Spoon batter into prepared cups.  Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes or until muffins spring back with touched lightly in center.  Remove muffins from pan immediately; place on wire rack.

The best part is they are only 190 calories each and for a quick breakfast they are very moist and lovely.  I topped each of mine with 3 dried cranberries for a little garnish.  Unfortunately, the my kitchen light went out on Saturday so it was a little dark in there when I took this picture!  

Christmas Brunch

Christmas morning I woke up at around 2 pm, yes 2 pm, feeling very rested and hungry! I could not wait to get out of bed, put on my new slippers and get to work making our special breakfast! Every morning I make breakfast for Brian and I, but it never contains this much sugar! I saw the recipe for these pancakes in my new cookbook and I had to try them. I love carrot cake so Carrot Cake Pancakes sounded like something right up my alley.

Brian did not like the smaller size pancakes the recipe instructed to make, so I had to make him one very large one so he would stop whining. There is something mentioned about Honey Butter, but I am not a fan of butter, so I just used Maple Syrup and Powdered Sugar.
Mmmmm!! Top Scores for this one!

Giant Pancake!

Carrot Cake Heart Pancake with Walnuts and Powdered Sugar

I love lots of syrup, no dry pancakes for me. I also "fried" up some Turkey Bacon in Cooking Spray. What a wonderful relaxing afternoon spent on Christmas Morning!

How did you spend Christmas Day?

ps. I know it has been awhile since my last post, things are going to go back to normal now after the holidays! Keep with me! I will be updating all this week!

Brooke's Birthday Brunch

The theme of this weekend was Brian and I driving up to and back home from LA twice as well as driving back to OC from the desert. Needless to say, I was EXHAUSTED.

Not to tired though to go to Brooke's 30th Birthday Brunch downtown at the very different J Restaurant and Lounge. Located right in the heart of the Fashion District on South Olive, you would never think this kind of place exists downtown. It was a beautiful day, 79 degrees and sunny in the middle of December! After you walked through the restaurant, there was a large open outside area with a view of the cityscape. It was perfect for a Sunday Brunch in the city...well, or whatever you call downtown LA.

The Birthday Girl...and her sunglasses!

Love the Cupcake Tower

Menu...what looks good to you?

My Egg White Omelet with Spinach, Raisins and Goat Cheese

Birthday Girl's Crepes

Brian's HUGE Breakfast Sandwich. I told him he wouldn't like it and shouldn't order it, but he did anyways and was sorry!! The baked French Fries were excellent though!

Excellent Cupcakes! The Red Velvet was my favorite...really put Sprinkles to shame!


What a fun afternoon visiting with Brooke's friends and family. I also got to see some long lost high school friends which was really nice. I am sure some of Brooke's guests thought I was ridiculous taking pictures of all the food instead of the people! Oh well...had fun anyways!

Then...we got to go SHOPPING on 3rd Street!! Woo Hoo!! Got my pink slippers (the ones I needed) and a very cute new dress!