Pumpkin Muffins

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There's more to bake with pumpkin puree than just pumpkin pie.   Oh, you knew this already?  Yeah, but have you tried doing anything with pumpkin puree besides pie?  Up until that experimental batch of Pumpkin cookies, me neither.

Yesterday, I baked up a double batch of Pumpkin Cookies to give away to friends and family.  I had just over a cup of pumpkin puree left in the can.  What to do? What to do?

I went over to VeryBestBaking.com and found Pumpkin Apple Streusel Muffins.  I didn't have everything it called for, so I naturally improvised.  The pumpkin muffins turned out beautifully!  They were full of flavor, not too sweet, moist and tender.  Leave off the streusel topping and they would make great breakfast muffins.

HERE'S WHAT TO DO

• 2 1/2 cups flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 1/4 cups pumpkin puree
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup cinnamon applesauce
• STREUSEL TOPPING
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons butter

Preheat oven 350F degrees.  Use non-stick cooking spray on the muffin pans, or use paper liners.  (The muffin batter is too heavy for stand alone foil muffin liners.  For a prettier muffin, use a muffin pan.)

Sift all the dry ingredients into a large bowl.  In a separate medium bowl, mix well the wet ingredients.  Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients.  Stir together just until moistened.  Using an ice cream scoop or large spoon, spoon batter into muffin cups, filling 3/4 full.

For streusel topping: put sugar, flour, cinnamon and butter into a one cup mini processor and pulse until crumbly, 2-4 times.  Sprinkle over muffin batter.

Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool in pans for 5 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool slightly.

Just like the Pumpkin cookies, my picky eater loved these pumpkin muffins and asked for MORE! Don't hesitate to try these yummy delights for breakfast or as a snack.  They're awesome!