Pumpkin and apple muffins - like pumpkin scones in muffin form. They'll warm you kitchen with the lovely spicy aroma of cinnamon. Whenever you eat them they're sure to delight.
The humble pumpkin seems to be one of the only vegetables that's consistently a decent price at the moment and means I always have some in the fridge.
Pumpkin scones or pumpkin and feta loaf would have to be two of my favourite ways to bake with it but they're both slightly on the savoury side.
I needed a pumpkin recipe for something sweet - enter pumpkin apple muffins.
It was a good thing I made up my mind.
If I'd waited much longer I think the pumpkin might have grown legs and walked out the door.
I've never seen anything like it before.
You can probably guess what I did with the insides of the pumpkin.
Yes quite a few little sprouts are now buried in the garden.
I may have done a little sneaky seed planting in other ares too.
I'm just spreading the pumpkin love.
How to prepare pumpkin
To get him ready for baking, I sliced it in half, dug out the babies and placed the two halves face-down on a baking sheet.
I baked them at 180C fan-forced for about an hour (til a knife went through them easily).
Then let them cool, scooped out the flesh and pureed it in the blender (I froze the leftovers in ½ or 1 cup bags).
The other reason I chose muffins was so I'd have an excuse to use the cute pink and white cases mum gave me a few months ago (see I really am digging into my supply).
Aren't they pretty?
They're actually not hard to make.
Here's how to make your own cafe style muffin case.
I'm a sucker for anything with cinnamon and other warming spices like cardamom and ginger so I was practically drooling as these were baking.
The smell drifting from the oven would warm any winter day or fit well with the wet weather we've been having recently.
I could barely wait for them to cool before biting into them.
Actually that's another good thing about muffins, you don't have to wait for them to be totally cool before you dig in.
These babies were dense and sweet but the spices made them so homely while the apples gave them little bursts of crunch.
Can you freeze them?
Muffins are best eaten on the day of baking.
I wrapped them up and popped them in the freezer ready for quick breakfasts and slightly naughty snacks.
Enjoy!
What about you?
Have you ever cut into a fruit to see it has sprouted?
Do you like to bake with pumpkin?
Recipe
Pumpkin and apple muffins
Ingredients
- 2 cups plain flour
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 3 tbs honey
- 1 tbs pumpkin pie spice
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 eggs lightly beaten
- 1 cup pumpkin not pumpkin pie filling
- ½ cup olive oil
- 2 medium apples cored, and sliced into small chunks
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 160C fan-forced and line a 12-hole muffin tray with muffin liners.
- Line another one with 6 (18 total).
- In one large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients.
- In another bowl, stir the eggs, pumpkin puree and olive oil together.
- Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients then fold in the apple.
- Divide the batter between the muffin cases.
- Bake the muffins for 35-40 minutes or until a cake tester comes out clean.
- Leave them to cool on a wire rack for a little before devouring.
Nicole @ Daily Dish Recipes says
You had me at pumpkin and just kept me hooked with apple and muffins. Look how yummy those look! Fantastic!
Anne @Authentic Simplicity says
Mmmm, pumpkin and apple together, sounds delicious! And wow about the sprouting pumpkin. Didn't even know that could happen lol.
Lesa @ Edesia's Notebook says
These muffins sound delish!
Camilla @ Culinary Adventures says
I am mad about pumpkin, but usually reserve it for the Fall. You've inspired me to put it in some Spring culinary creations. Thanks! Nice pick for the SRC.
Claire says
I think it works for any season!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I LOVE pumpkin but I've never made pumpkin and apple muffins. It's Autumn in one bite!
Claire says
It is very Autumn isn't it?!
sarah k @ the pajama chef says
oh man, i am a sucker for anything pumpkin. these muffins sound amazing! great SRC recipe!!!
Kate says
These sound wonderful! I adore pumpkin and apples.....such a great combination. I wonder if you could use a butternut squash....I haven't seen any pumpkins in the stores here...I am pinning this one! I am from Group B, just happening by for a quick look! Great SRC share.
Claire says
I can't see why not Kate!
Hotly Spiced says
The paper cases are really gorgeous. I love pumpkin with spices - it just works so well. I love the idea of this secret club xx
Claire says
You should apply Charlie!
Jess says
HAha - that pumpkin really does seem to have a mind of its own, doesn't it!? Glad you saved him AND the many future pumpkins you'll have in your garden. I don't think I've ever had anything with both pumpkin and apple, but I love the idea - it's like two perfect fall pies smooshed into one perfect bite-sized breakfast treat.
Claire says
Doesn't it? It actually gave me a little fright when I first opened it!
Katherine Martinelli says
The combination of pumpkin and apple is awesome and one I don't think I've had often - great pick! And beautiful photos too.
Claire says
Thanks Katherine!
Kirstin says
Yum! Great choice. I love the cupcake liners you used. I'm a fellow SRC member, group D
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
Wow I've never seen a pumpkin do that before and we eat a lot of it! What cute lil muffins! :D
Sarah says
Yumo!! I'll have to make some miniones these will be perfect for the girls morning teas!!
Claire says
They would love them!
Jennifer (Delicieux) says
Pumpkin and apple sounds like such an unusual combination, but they sure do look divine! And that pumpkin of yours is amazing! I've never seen a pumpkin sprout before. I had something similar happen to me a few weeks ago though, I cut into some tomatoes and inside the seeds had sprouted. Was amazing and kind of freaky. Anyway, I planted them and they are doing well so far. Fingers crossed!
Claire says
Isn't it? Actually the same thing happened to me with a tomato a few days before. My kitchen must be prime breeding ground for them. I still haven't seen any action from the pumpkin seeds but I haven't lost hope yet.
Stephanie @ henry happened says
I loooove pumpkin! Maybe it's b/c my birthday is in October but I have always had a thing for all things pumpkin. So these look amazing - and I love your wraps too. It adds the perfect amount of pizzazz! :)
Claire says
Thanks Stephanie! I think they're rather fancy.