Beautifully delicious muffins

I tend to think of muffins as healthy but the truth is they often hide lots of fat and calories inside their pretty little wrappers.  I found this recipe for pumpkin muffins in a Family Fun magazine and the list of ingredients is what caught my eye.  Whole wheat flour, pumpkin and molasses to replace some of the sugar? - could they actually taste good?  I was pretty skeptical but curious enough to give them a try.  Much to my delight - the muffins were moist and tender and delicious.  

Pumpkin Praline Muffins
Topping
3 Tablespoons cold butter
1/3 cup flour
3 Tablespoons brown sugar
1/3 cup chopped pecans

Batter
1 cup flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup canned pumpkin
1/3 cup molasses
1/3 cup canola oil
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla




Combine topping ingredients in a small bowl and mix with a pastry blender.










In a large bowl, whisk together flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice and salt.

In another bowl whisk together pumpkin, molasses, eggs, milk and vanilla.

Stir pumpkin mixture into the dry ingredients.

Divide the batter among 13 muffin cups.

Sprinkle with praline topping.

Bake 15 minutes at 400.

 

Let the muffins cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then move to a wire rack to cool completely.

The muffins came out of the oven with beautifully rounded tops and they didn't deflate when they cooled!  These muffins were a masterpiece for the eyes - and they tasted just as good as they looked.  Thank you Family Fun for the yummy (and healthy) muffin recipe.

Bon Appetit!