Ginger-Spiced Pumpkin Muffins

There are so many pumpkin muffin recipes out there. I've tried quite a few of them myself. Like I said in my previous post, I like to try to make things using more whole grains. Some pumpkin recipes I've tried are super healthy but not very good and some are very good but not healthy at all. I found a recipe that is both healthy and absolutely FAB-U-LOUS! I got the base recipe out of Prevention magazine a few years back and have tinkered with it until it is perfect, in my professional opinion. I lived off these things when I was pregnant with my second child sometimes eating several a day. I didn't feel to bad because (A) I was pregnant and (B) they are nutritious. Her nick-name is "Spicy". Maybe it is from all the ginger and cinnamon she got while bak'in.

Ginger-Spiced Pumpkin Muffins

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour or white whole wheat flour

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 tsp. salt

1 egg

1 cup fat-free milk

1/2 cup canned 100% pure pumpkin

1/4 cup canola oil

1/2 cup mini-chocolate chips

1/2 tsp. grated orange zest (optional)

Preheat oven to 375 F. Lightly coat 12-cup muffin pan with spray or use the liners.

Stir four, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, and salt in large mixing bowl.

Beat egg in small bowl 30 seconds, until foamy. Add milk, pumpkin, oil and orange zest if using. Beat well. Add to four mixture and stir until just moistened. Stir in chocolate chips.

Fill muffins tins 3/4 of the way full with batter. Bake for about 18-19 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. Just a tip; eat one while still warm because the chocolate chips are ooey and gooey and oh-so-good. These freeze really well too. I usually make a double batch and freeze half in ziplock bags.

Just a side note about a great food find. King Arthur Flour company sells a cinnamon that is absolutely amazing. Here is what it looks like. You can click on the link right above and it will take your right to their site. This cinnamon will change your life. I will never go back to regular super market cinnamon again. I find myself sprinkling it on everything lately.