Autumn Pumpkin Muffins

Marsha here - One of the things you will learn about me as you read this blog is that I am big on traditions. Most of the recipes I use have a story, a memory or a person attached to it. My Pumpkin Muffins have all three!
The story - Many years ago I felt the Lord calling me to reach out to my neighbors through these Pumpkin Muffins. So every Thanksgiving Eve I would bake dozens of them, wrap them in pretty cello paper with a tag and deliver them to our nearest neighbors for them to enjoy for breakfast on Thanksgiving morning. This tradition lasted for a number of years until we moved to another house on a cul-de-sac in a larger neighborhood. There were a number of changes on the cul-de-sac during the 18 years we lived there so I changed my approach by delivering something to new neighbors as they moved in, and the Pumpkin Muffin deliveries ended. Except for one new family...
The memory - This new family moved in right around Thanksgiving so I decided the Pumpkin Muffins were the goodie of choice to deliver and introduce myself. The lady of the house, who was Asian but spoke good English, cautiously opened the door at my arrival and accepted my gift. She hugged the tin full of still-warm muffins, then tearfully and graciously thanked me. It wasn't until 10 years later, at a farewell tea given in my honor as we were moving, that this friend revealed why she tearfully hugged those muffins. She explained that upon moving into their house they found the heater wasn't working. Those muffins not only warmed her body as she held them, but they were a gesture of warm welcome to the neighborhood that touched her greatly that day.
A person - The person most closely identified with these muffins is my friend, Andi, who receives them in the mail from me every year for her birthday. She puts them in the freezer and takes out one each day to savor and enjoy. And when she comes to visit, she doesn't want anything else for breakfast, just her Pumpkin Muffins.

This recipe is tried and true; no substitutions are recommended. Baking temperatures and times are exact as well.

Autumn Pumpkin Muffins
1 C honey
1/2 C oil
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups pumpkin puree
3 C unbleached flour
1 1/2 teas. baking powder
1 teas. baking soda
1/2 teas. cloves
3/4 teas cinnamon
1/2 teas. salt
1 1/2 C raisins
1 C chopped walnuts

Mix together honey, oil, eggs and pumpkin. Add raisins and nuts.

Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Add dry ingredients to wet and mix until just blended. Do not over mix. Using an ice cream scoop, drop dough into muffin tins that have been sprayed generously, filling them 3/4 full. I use my old, non-stick muffin tins (how old? avocado green old !!) and the muffins just fall out. I prefer not to use cup cake liners but if you must... There is enough batter for exactly 2 dozen muffins. Bake in a 400 degree oven for exactly 15 minutes, no more, no less.












Slather with butter and eat immediately! If you have any left, wrap each one individually in a baggie and store in a cookie tin, then freeze.

These delicious goodies are meant to be enjoyed all winter long so make lots to have on hand in the freezer. Always warm them before eating for maximum flavor and texture. Be warned, having just one for breakfast may not be enough!

Happy baking and Merry Christmas!