Healthy Pumpkin Muffins

Sorry, no pix for this one. I made these to take with me to the Halloween party last night and returned empty handed! LOL! I was complimented by a request for the recipe, so I thought I would post it here for EVERYONE!!! :)

They are actually just a spin off of an old favorite of mine..... Banana Cupcakes. What a versatile recipe! Click the link for some serious YUM!

Pumpkin Muffins

• 2 1/4 Cups whole wheat pastry flour
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 2 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp. ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• 1/2 Cup agave nectar or maple syrup
• 2/3 Cup unsweetened applesauce ****
• 1 whole egg
• 1 egg white
• 2 Cups pumpkin puree
• 1/3 Cup crushed pecans (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix dry ingredients together; set aside. Mix the pumpkin, agave nectar or maple syrup and applesauce together. Beat the eggs into the wet mixture. Add wet mixture to the dry and mix well. Fill lightly oiled muffin wells 3/4 full and bake for 30-35 minutes (mini muffins take about 15-20 minutes; insert toothpick into the center of one and if it comes out clean then the muffins are done). Allow to cool before removing from muffin pan. Batter can also be placed into into a 13 x 9-inch pan and baked for about an hour for an amazing cake.

**** I make my own applesauce with two peeled and cored apples and 2 tablespoons of filtered water blended on high speed in my Vitamix for 30 seconds (using the tamper when necessary). This makes about a cup of applesauce depending on the size of the apples.

This recipe is a new fall favorite and the applesauce makes them super moist! These wonderfully easy cake recipes make me wonder why we EVER switched to boxed cake mixes........ I'm just thinking out loud. I hope you all enjoy! :)