whole grain spiced pumpkin muffins and a GIVEAWAY

I love pumpkins baked goods. Although they remind me of fall, they are still comforting to me anytime of year. These are not vegan or gluten-free, but they are healthier than any store-bought version you are likely to find; and they are delicious. A great trick with muffins is to freeze them individually and then stick them in pack lunches to keep the other items cool as they thaw.

whole grain spiced pumpkin muffins

• 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• 4 prunes
• 1 tablespoons unsulphered molasses
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 2 cup whole-grain pastry flour or whole wheat flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray.
2. In the food processor with the blade attachment, combine the apple sauce, honey, prunes, and molasses. Pulse until combined and the prunes are finely chopped.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs and add the mixture from the food processor. Add the vanilla, canned pumpkin, and buttermilk.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose and whole-wheat flours, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
5. Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and stir just until combined.
6. Divide the batter into the prepared muffin pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center of 1 of the muffins comes out clean.
7. Let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Run a knife around the muffins to loosen them and unmold. Cool completely on the rack.

I had a great time shopping and mingling at Apricot Lane Boutique last week. They have a cute store with fun affordable women’s clothes and accessories. To follow them on FB, click here.  AND they provided me with a fun giveaway for all of you: $20 to spend at Apricot Lane (it’s in Provo, UT) and a Good Works Make a Difference Bracelet ($44 value).

These bracelets are quite popular in Hollywood right now, but I think they are great because of the message and the good they are trying to do.

To enter to win, leave a comment below by midnight on Monday, May 7th. Good luck!