Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

I came across this in my box of recipe clippings. It is a lightened-up version of a favourite.

• Ready In: 24 mins
• Serves: 12
• Yields: 12 muffins

Ingredients

• 1 3⁄4 cups flour
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 3  teaspoons baking powder
• 1  teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 3⁄4 cup canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
• 1⁄2 cup skim milk
• 1⁄4 cup  oil
• 2  egg whites
• 4  ounces cream cheese, cut into 12 cubes
• 2  tablespoons brown sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400*. Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt in a large bowl.
2. Mix pumpkin, milk, oil and egg whites together, blending well. Add to dry ingredients and stir until moistened.
3. Pour into 12 greased muffin tins (I use cooking spray).
4. Put one cube of cream cheese into the center of each muffin. Top each muffin with 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar.
5. Bake @ 400* for 14-18 minutes.