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!  

We have SO much to be Thankful For!

I can't believe it is already Thanksgiving and almost December! This year has been quite something and it is hard to believe it is almost over. I love Thanksgiving (and Pumpkin!) and get very excited every year to spend time with family and friends...and eat great food!

My mom throws the most amazing dinner parties and she is one of the few people I have met that actually cooks most of the food she serves! There is nothing better than a home cooked meal! I am so lucky to have spent Thanksgiving with my wonderful family, but also my husband's family and several great friends!

My mom's gorgeous flower arrangements in white pumpkins! Loved the fall colors and twinkling tea lights!

My sis finishing off the Sweet Potato Casserole

Cutest Idea my sister had! Her baked pumpkins that became bowls for soup

Blending the Tomato Soup

Lital's Pretty Appetizer

How gorgeous is this??? Tomato Soup in Roasted Pumpkins

Sweet Potato Casserole

Stuffing...most and savory

Kathy's Tasty Salad

Bread Basket with Chocolate Banana Bread, Bananas Foster Bread, Monkey Bread and Pumpkin Challa...whew!!

Sauteed Green Beans with Roasted Garlic

Roasted Vegetables

Bobby's Tofurky

My FAVORITE Pumpkin Dessert of all time!! Pumpkin Trifle. OMG. It is amazing.

The Banana Creme Pie that is wonderful, but it takes FOREVER to make...but worth every bite!

My very full plate! That red cranberry sauce you see was made by Kathy and was sooo good! Oh wow...looking at this is making me full. Ugh. Can't wait to go the gym tomorrow morning!


How was your Thanksgiving? What are you thankful for this year?

I LOVE Pumpkin!!

Warning! This recipe is not low in calories!

Every Thanksgiving I try to make a new recipe with pumpkin, because I looooove pumpkin! I am the wacko who waits all year till the yogurt shops start having pumpkin, the one who waits all year till I can get a pumpkin spice latte, and the nut who buys a pumpkin to roast in the oven and eat instead of carve and put on their doorstep. So, all year I look for new and different things to make with pumpkin! It also, oddly enough, is the only time of year that I am willing to bake over cook.

This year, one of my customers told me about this cake that Paula Deen makes called Gooey Butter Cake. I guess the original version is a yellow cake with a gooey center, but when I researched it, I found that she has a Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake!!

Mixing the Crust

I expected it to look more like packaged cake mix usually looks when you mix it, but it became more of a dough!

After the "dough" was pressed into the bottom of the baking dish

Mixing the Pumpkin Gooey Part

Baking Finished, was a little worried about how long to bake because she says, "40-50 minutes" and like I said, I am not a professional baker so I was unsure. I baked for 48 minutes, I think I should have taken it out 8 minutes earlier. I was worried though...there is always next time.

Finished Product! I made some homemade whipped cream (can not stand the kind in the can) and garnished with a little nutmeg

All in all, it turned out great, but unfortunately this is not the kind of eye appealing dessert that people are dying to try, you really need to plate it. Besides that it is really simple to make, and Paula lists other variations on the recipes so even if you don't like pumpkin, you will be able to find a version you like!

What is your favorite pumpkin dessert? What is your favorite Thanksgiving dessert?