Pumpkin-Cranberry Muffins

Sydney Mike's Note:

This recipe comes from the 2009 Betty Crocker cookbooklet, Fall Baking, & has been changed slightly to include a few more of those delicious tart red berries!

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 12

Yield: 12.0 muffins

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup canned pumpkin (NOT pie filling)
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 ½ cups dried cranberries
• ½ cup pecans , chopped
• ¼ cup coarse sugar (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F, then grease 12 standard size muffin cups with shortening OR line them with paper baking cups.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger & salt.
3. Stir in pumpkin, oil, eggs, cranberries & pecans, just until moistened.
4. Divide batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, & if desired, sprinkle coarse sugar evenly over each.
5. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, then remove muffins from the baking pan to a wire rack for cooling slightly before serving.

Reviews

[HokiesLady]

Nice moist muffins that are full of flavor! They are dense in texture but that makes them perfect with a cup of coffee! Loved the blend of the pumpkin flavor with the dried cranberries. I used a cinnamon/sugar mix for the topping of the muffins. I did omit the nuts as a personal preference. Made for the special event in Healthy Choices tag game.

[HomeFryMama]

I made this with the following modifications: whole wheat pastry flour instead of all-purpose; 1/2 cup maple syrup and 1/4 cup brown sugar instead of 3/4 cup granulated; 1 cup dried cranberries soaked in boiling water (to make them less chewy) instead of 1 1/2; omitted the nuts. I topped them with a simple streusel (flour, brown sugar, butter, oats). They were moist, light, and flavorful. I let them rise for a few minutes in the cups before putting in the oven and they were not very dense.

[Tanya Pants]

Really really really good - just pulled them out of the oven and tried one, the perfect treat for a cool fall afternoon! Loving the pecans...