Pumpkin Oat Bran Muffins

This recipe is a play off of my Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Oat Bran Muffins. With my recent obsession and likeability for pumpkin, I've created a healthy pumpkin spiced muffin. Granted it's not perfect yet; however, it is satisfying for those with a subtle flavor palette. These muffins are moist, simple to make, and easy to eat!. Also, these muffins last longer than than Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Oat Bran Muffins because I omitted the applesauce and replaced it with pumpkin puree, which has a longer shelf life. Personally, I don't mind either recipe because I freeze the muffins after baking. This way, I can have a muffing whenever I want to. 

Additionally, I incorporated a bit of wheat bran to the recipe. You cannot taste it nor do you notice a difference in texture or taste but it is just another way to pack more nutrients into the muffins. The chocolate chips are optional but are highly recommended because the muffins are not sweet so the chocolate chips adds enough sweetness to balance the muffin. I typically use dark chocolate chips because it is not as sweet as semisweet chips and has a richer chocolate flavor. 

Merry Christmas to Me 2011

Merry belated Christmas! I was so caught up enjoying the day with my family that I have finally have the time to sit down and blog about it. Aside from the great presents (which I'll go into more detail later), I spent the day with my family. Although we usually never do anything extravagant, I always remember those days the best. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing my extended family and sharing the holidays with them but I truly enjoy Christmas and its significance with the company of my immediate family.

As I discussed in previous entries, this season has been about giving rather than recieving for me. I spent time and thought into each of the gifts I bought and it was touching to see that people did the same to me. I have some great people in my life, present or presentless, and I consider myself truly blessed. Here are the baking related things I got this year. I'm beginning to see a trend...especially with the cupcakes. I guess people just know me a little too well!

    

                      

For more information of the images above, please see the following websites:

For Baking: my house to yours
For babycakes
For 10,000 Cupcakes

I am excited to use the babycakes makers. Yes, I got two. Do I need both of them? Probably not. Am I going to keep both of them? Most definitely. Look out for my blog entries in the near future! Also, I am very excited to test some recipes in my new baking books. Dorie Greenspan, I think her cookbook speaks for itself. While I've never done Tuesdays with Dorie, I can now bake with Dorie whenever I want to! Lastly, I got 10,000 cupcakes which is a cute cupcake book that allows me to make a variety of cupcakes. You'll have to get a copy for yourself to understand why it's so cute! I'm leaving you with an element of surprise.