Fall on the Brain!

Plain and simple, we have FALL on the brain! And these pumpkin pie muffins are a hit! Have them with your lowfat skim latte (whatever it is you like) and do something good for yourself! 'Cause let's face it, B-fitter's, those chain coffee joints are not looking out for your waistline when it comes to pastries. So pack your own snack and off you go! ENJOY your weekend!~FoodieGIRL

Pumpkin Pie Muffins

Cooking spray
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 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
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons unsulfured molasses
1/4 cup canola oil
2 large eggs
1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
1/4 cup unsalted raw pumpkin seeds

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray.

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

In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, molasses, oil, and one of the eggs until combined. Add the other egg and whisk well. Whisk in the pumpkin and vanilla. Stir in the flour mixture in two batches, alternating with the buttermilk, just until combined. Pour the batter into the prepared muffin pan, filling each one about two-thirds full, and sprinkle the surface of each with the pumpkin seeds. Tap the pan on the counter a few times to remove any air bubbles. Bake until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center of one of the muffins comes out clean, about 20 minutes.

Let cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Run a knife around the muffins to loosen them and unmold. Enjoy warm or let cool completely before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Makes 12 muffins
Serving size: 1 muffin

Per Serving:
Calories 205; Total fat 7g (Sat fat 1g, Mono fat 3.5g, Poly fat 2 g); Protein 5g; Carb 32g; Fiber 2g; Cholesterol 36mg; Sodium 233mg

Excellent source of: thiamin, vitamin A
Good source of: manganese, vitamin K