Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Delicious muffins, with or without the walnuts. From "Crazy Plates".

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Yields: 12 muffins

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1⁄2 cup  wheat bran
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 2  teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1  teaspoon baking soda
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling)
• 1⁄2 cup  grated carrot
• 1⁄2 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 1⁄2 cup honey
• 1⁄4 cup butter or 1⁄4 cup margarine, melted
• 1  egg
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1  teaspoon  grated orange zest
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Set aside.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin, carrots, buttermilk, honey, butter or margarine, egg, vanilla, and orange zest.
5. Add to flour mixture, stirring just until moistened.
6. This is a thick batter.
7. Fold walnuts (if using) into batter, gently.
8. Spoon batter into 12-cup muffin pan (lightly greased or sprayed with nonstick spray).
9. Bake for 20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
10. Remove from pan and cool on a wire rack.