This can is worth a bar of gold to me. Maybe even a magic ring. The pumpkin crops last year took a big hit and it's been soooooo hard to find pumpkin this year. Anywhere. When I found this can (well, not this exact can, but one that looks just like it), I snatched it up...and the other four left on the shelf with it. My apologies to anyone who shops at my Henry's. My pantry is full...of pumpkin. I have become a Pumpkin Hoarder.
Why this obsession with the other orange fruit? I have to feed my brain while I write - from brainstorming to outlining to writing to rewriting, this girl has got to keep the flow going. Pumpkin is my secret ingredient. It's my sweet treat without the fat and calories.
I make muffins. Yummy, quick, easy, delicious muffins. I'm going to share my secret with YOU. Because I love you and I know you don't live in my area so you won't be taking any canned pumpkin out of my local stores.
So preheat those little ovens to 350 degrees.
1 can Pumpkin (NOT the pie mix)
1 box Spice Cake Mix (Betty Crocker is my fave)
1 cup water (I use bottled...I live L.A.)
Mix them all together until smooth. Pour into 24 cupcake tins. Bake for 14-16 minutes.
My mom bakes them for 18 minutes. I find they are perfect at 15 minutes. You'll have to play around with your baking time. I don't know your oven or your elevation. Both will have an effect on it.
I freeze half, keep four on the counter at a time (I like them room temperature) and the other 8 go in the fridge. They are very moist so they will mold if you keep them out for more than a few days.
You will thank me when you taste them, then curse me when you go to buy more pumpkin and there is NONE.
Do you have a favorite food to fuel your creativity when you write?
Man, right now I REALLY wish I lived in a country that had a) canned pumpkin; and b)Betty Crocker spice cake mix. But I guess I will be spared for the disappointment of finding the stores out of the good stuff when there is none in the first place.
ReplyDeleteYour post practically *tastes* autumn! :)
I can relate! I tried to find some canned pumpkin the other day to make some pumpkin bread. I was so desperate I went to 4 stores and none of them had any.
ReplyDeleteAnd, to answer your question, peppermint hot chocolate is a holiday must while writing. Not a food per se, but man, I love that stuff! And somehow it helps me keep focused while writing.
I was looking for canned pumpkin a few months ago and had the same experience, and unfortunately never found any.
ReplyDeleteIf I can get my hands on some, I'm definitely making these. Thanks for sharing your recipe!
I love pumpkin pie!!! Hooray for a pumpkin hoarder, muffins, pie, the works for the fall months, who wouldn't love!!
ReplyDeleteI loved this post... one of my favorites!
YUM! That sounds delicious! Will have to try it, hopefully this weekend. mmmmmm Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteMmmmm, that recipe sounds yummy. I'll have to try it if I can find some pumpkin.
ReplyDeleteI actually made three kinds of muffins (from scratch) this week -- honey-apple, peach, and whole wheat banana, so right now my freezer is bursting!
Unfortunately coffee tends to be my creative juice.
I've heard of this recipe!!!!! A friend was supposed to give it to me and apparently, she decided to keep all the yummyness to herself! Thanks for sharing it-it will definitely be making an appearance in my oven SOON.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm.....chips covered with cheese and dipped in salsa....something chocolate.....popcorn...?
Ha ha! I've been doing the same exact thing! I'm a pumpkin hoarder!
ReplyDeleteOh, yum... I can't wait to try this. Thanks for the recipe!
ReplyDelete