Thursday, October 23, 2008

TWD: Pumpkin Muffins

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I can't believe it's been almost two weeks since my last post, since I've been checking other super cool blogs and since I've last baked!! I missed Tuesday, so I guess Thursday will count as my TWD. It has definitely been a crazy two weeks with test after test and assignment after assignment. The year always starts off slow and then bam! you're hit with a million things to do and wishing for just one more hour... then I would be able cram a whole new chapter in... haha. I've pretty much been loading up my brain for each test and then letting it all out after to make room for the next round of stuff. Today, I ended my day with my 6-9pm lab after having finished 4 tests and 3 assigments since last Thursday and even though I didn't get home until 10, I just had to bake. Nothing could stop me, not even a very sleep deprived brain and body. Other than chocolate chip cookies, I couldn't think of anything easier to whip up. Maybe it's been a little too long, but something did not turn out right with my chocolate chip cookies, the dough was definitely stiffer than usual.. where did all the liquid go? I only poured 3/4 cups of melted butter with the flour, surely it didn't all get absorbed! Anyway.. maybe I'll save the rest for a chocolate chip cookie post, back to the pumpkin muffins!!

I actually made these on the Friday before the real TWD so technically I haven't been 2 weeks without baking, but it sure feels like it. I've never had pumpkin in any dessert other than pumpkin pie and honestly, I've never been able to eat more than a bite of pumpkin pie without feeling a little (actually a lot) grossed out. To be fair, those pies were storebought and I'm sure nothing beats homemade.. as with practically every baked good. As usual, I cut down the recipe to half except when it came to adding the pumpkin, I totally forgot and added the full amount! I guess I'll never know what these are supposed to really taste like unless I made them again and based on my experience with these, I don't think I should ever bake with pumpkin again. These were incrediably addicting, espeically with the blend of spices that let the pumpkin flavour come through. These have definitely climbed up the to top of my ranks for muffins, but I should probably try out the original recipe for a real test.

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When I first got into baking, muffins were definitely one of the first things I wanted to try. Maybe it was those cute muffin liners or the ease with which those food network chefs make folding 'look' (not true for me.. I'm scared of folding!). I can't tell you how many muffins went into the trash before I almost wanted to quit altogether and forget about muffins. Then there was the whole debate about what is a muffin. Are they just a cupcake in disguise or really something healthier and breakfasty type? I used to be obsessed with reading recipes and looking at the different ratios of liquid to flour to fat and it actually killed me whenever I found muffin recipes that were really just cupcake recipes with a few blueberries thrown in. It's kind of the same thing I have with the whole bundt cake, pound cake issue. Sometimes I get so overly caught up with little details it literally takes me forever to decide on what to bake... I know.. how crazy! That's why I have TWD to help me decide every week.

These were actually the first muffins I made using the creaming method and is definitely how I'm making all my muffins from now on. The whole 'is it a muffin, it is a cupcake' issue may not be totally resolved, but I'm definitely leaning towards towards the light and fluffy style over the dense kind. Plus, who doesn't like watching the beautiful butter-sugar-egg emulsion! These were actually still a little dense, with double the amount of pumpkin that went in, but there was also a fluffy quality to it. Actually, they were kind of creamy in a melt in your mouth kind of way with a super tender crumb.. a little unexpected but I loved it! I wasn't too sure about raisins, but many TWDers mentioned that they really enjoyed it so I added half raisins and half craisins. When I cut a muffin in half I couldn't believe my eyes.. was there a flour pocket in the middle!! No, it was just flour stuck to the raisins I premixed with the flour to avoid folding altogether with my never gentle technique. phew!

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Thanks to Kelly of Sounding of my Barbaric Gulp for choosing this recipe, which can be found on her blog and in Dorie Greenspan's Baking: From my Home to Yours. Don't forget to checkout the TWD Blogroll!

21 comments:

  1. Such delicious looking muffins! And I'm sure Dorie is happy to have you on Thursday! :)

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  2. Your muffins look amazing! I hope all your tests went well and you did food on your assignments!!

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  3. Welcome back!! Sooooo glad that you've had time to bake, despite all the assignments you've had to complete (I know how you feel!!!).

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  4. I knew something was missing in my world... Steph hasn't posted in awhile :) That goodness we fixed that one now. I love pumpkin pie, but these muffins look like a real winner too.

    I can picture you debating and dissecting recipes to find out the difference between muffins and cupcakes. It's funny. But actually, I kinda do the same thing. But I like muffins over cupcakes... remember both of us with the anti frosting thing :)

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  5. Steph! I've been thinking about you and wondering where you'd been. But now you've answered all those questions. I hope things are getting easier and a little less busy for you.

    Nice job on the muffins. Sounds like you really enjoyed them. The pictures showing the inside of the muffin is really nice. In my opinions, these definitely had like a silky texture to them. Know what I mean?

    Nice to hear from you!! Keep up the great work in everything you're doing. :o)

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  6. these look nice and moist. I only tried pumkin muffins once and I was amazed by their taste. I didn t know that pumking could taste so good :)

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  7. I missed your posts! And i know exactly why: I've never tried pumpkin in my life and those look absolutely yummyy!!!! :D

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  8. Well, I love pumpkin anything, and the muffins with double pumpkin sound great to me! Double the spices would be even more wonderful. Good job on those.
    Nancy

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  9. I wasn't crazy about this recipe, but your last picture makes me think I was crazy not to be crazy about them...I wish my mistakes could turn like this!

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  10. Adding extra pumpkin = "good mistake" in my book! Your muffins looks seriously moist and delicious -- almost, dare I say it? -- cupcake-like. Sounds like you've been busy -- hope things calm down for you soon and you can get some more baking in; I always enjoy your posts!

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  11. A lot of bakers said they were not pumpkin enough. I guess you showed them. I am planning to join this week as I just bought the book for $9.99 at Ross. Glad you are in school.

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  12. Your muffins turned out perfect! You sound super busy. That is how it always goes, the school years starts and then, wow- you are overwhelmed! Pumpkin is one of my faves in baking. Glad you liked these.

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  13. I jave missed you Steph and hope the school work slows down a bit so you don't get too overwhelmed. You did a terffic job on the muffins, as always! Maybe you and I could team up, I'll cook dinner for you and you can bake for me ;-)

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  14. I hear you on the course work! I've been super busy as well. Check out my blog because I want to know 7 things about you.

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  15. They look incredibly moist - great job, and a lucky mistake adding all the pumpkin!

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  16. Those muffins look so moist and good!

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  17. i know what you mean about school. i'm drowning in work but would much rather spend my weekend looking at food blogs haha

    these are some pretty muffins! they look so fluffy.

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  18. The 1/4 cup oil? I'm not sure if you can leave it out, as I have not tried. But I don't really see how it makes that much difference in the recipe, except for making it moist. But the pumpkin should keep it moist enough. Let me know if you try it w/o the oil. :D

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  19. My SMBC recipe started with Martha's but I usually add more sugar and reduce the butter.

    :) That reminds me, today my dad asked a woman to guess how old I was. She guessed 14! I said, nope I'm 22. She totally didn't believe me!! Lol!!

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  20. Yay, you're back! I know exactly what you mean about the bam! - haven't been doing my blog rounds either. Steph, this look absolutely scrummy! I love pumpkin in desserts. Have a good week, Steph!

    p/s
    You do realize that I'm using you as my personal Dorie tester, don't you ;)

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  21. I missed your posts but I am glad to see you back! Your muffins look perfect.

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