Low Fat Pumpkin Muffins


October and April are the two best months in The South. The temperature is in the 70's, the leaves are ablaze with color and they don't fall off the trees in just a few short days like they seem to in The North.  Fall color in The South will linger until almost Thanksgiving!    

I'm happily working my way though my pantry full of pumpkin and tried this fairly guilt-free, light and flavorful pumpkin muffin recipe from Ellie Kreiger.  She's the cooking world's counterbalance to Paula Deen.


I love recipes with a bit of a surprise.  This recipe's unexpected element is pumpkin seeds!  The pumpkin seeds (or pepitas) are sprinkled on top of the batter before baking and tie in another element of the pumpkin, in addition to giving the muffin a bit of wholesome crunch.  Some of the benefits of pumpkin seeds include lowering cholesterol, decreasing arthritis inflammation and improving prostate health.


But you don't need pumpkin apologetics to justify eating these muffins.  
They're just plain good!



Pumpkin Muffins
Adapted from Ellie Kreiger, Food Network

Ingredients:

2 cups white whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cardamom (or ginger)
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoon agave nectar (or honey or molasses)
1/4 cup canola oil
2 large eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup lowfat buttermilk
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, and spices.

In a large bowl, whisk the sugar, agave nectar, oil, eggs, buttermilk, pumpkin and vanilla.  Whisk in the flour mixture 1/2 at a time.  Whisk until just combined.

Pour the batter into the prepared muffin and sprinkle with the pumpkin seeds.  Bake for about 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.

Let cook on a wire rack for 15 minutes.




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Comments

Visiting from Thrifty Thursday! Looks wonderful. I love the seeds on top. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Miz Helen said…
Hi Rachel,
Low fat and delicious that is a great combination! We would really enjoy your Muffins. Thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday. Hope you have a great week end and come back soon!
Miz Helen
Ann Kroeker said…
Fantastic idea to add the pepitas!

Delighted you linked this to Food on Fridays, because I love a good muffin, especially pumpkin, especially this time of year.
KB said…
Looks delish!

We'd love for you to share your recipes with us at

Simply Delish Saturday
I need to try these! They are beautiful and the recipe looks so much healthier thank so many I see. Thanks for sharing on Crazy Sweet Tuesday!
Mindie Hilton said…
featuring on Thursday at Bacon Time.
Anonymous said…
Thanks, always looking out for low fat muffins for my DH's lunch box and mine too. Thank-you these look pretty good!
Unknown said…
Low fat is a NICE option that is for sure!! Great recipe. Thanks for linking to Tea Party Tuesday - hope to see you again. ~ Trisha

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