Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Pumpkin Muffins (TWD)


This week's Tuesdays with Dorie (TWD) recipe was chosen by Kelly of Sounding My Barbaric Gulp: Pumpkin Muffins. Dorie describes these as having a "moist and tender cakey crumb," with "a gentle spiciness," and a "sprinkling of sunflower seeds across their crowns."


When I saw that this recipe called for sunflower seeds, I immediately knew I wanted to use the chocolate covered sunflower seeds I had on hand. Why did I have chocolate covered sunflower seeds in my pantry? Because of Peabody. Several months ago, when I saw this post on her blog for chocolate covered sunflower seed cookies, I fell in love with the cute little candies. They are from Trader Joe's, and although I live nowhere near a Trader Joe's, I make myself a list of things to get from them whenever I go back to visit my family in California. After seeing them on Peabody's blog, I made sure to pick them up on my last trip to California.


I recently made some pumpkin cookies that, while very delicious, were very blah looking and bland. So I decided to use these chocolate covered sunflower seeds to add a little color and pop to the pictures. After using them in that post, I had a few readers comment that you can also sometimes find something similar at some of your more upscale grocery or specialty stores. So, if you're one of those poor souls who doesn't live near a Trader Joe's (like me), you might not be totally out of luck.


Like most muffin recipes, this one was very simple. I substituted dried cranberries for the raisins (not because I don't like raisins, but just because that's what I had on hand). I don't like nuts, so I omitted the pecans/walnuts from this recipe, instead added more dried cranberries in their place. Some TWD bakers added chocolate chips as well. This is a highly adaptable recipe. It's also another great recipe to make when you have a little leftover canned pumpkin, as it calls for 3/4 cup (also make sure you use canned pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling).


It seems that the opinions about these muffins among the TWD group were mixed, though I think the vast majority of bakers seemed to love them. I was in the minority - I didn't fall in love with them. They were okay, but didn't "wow" me like some of Dorie's other recipes did. I found the pumpkin flavor to be fairly subtle (a plus for those who don't particularly care for pumpkin, I guess). Like the orange berry muffins, I found the crumb to be perfectly moist and tender, but not sweet enough at all. Perhaps they might be better with some orange marmalade or apricot jam to increase the sweet factor, as Dorie suggests.


While these were adorable and fun to photograph, I probably won't be making them again. They were perfect for breakfast now that it's fall, but I just don't see myself ever having a craving for these and baking them. When I want an indulgent pumpkin treat, I'll make the pumpkin cookies instead. Don't let that stop you from trying these, though, because like I said, a lot of others in the group really enjoyed them.


Thanks Kelly, for choosing this week's pick. If you would like the recipe, you can find it here. Make sure you visit the TWD Blog Roll to see what everyone else thought of this fall treat. For those who have been on the fence about joining Tuesdays with Dorie - you have until October 31st to join. I've really enjoyed baking my way through this book with the group, and would encourage anyone who is interested to join now. After the end of this month, membership in the group will be closed.


*A few recipe notes:
- I used dried cranberries instead of raisins. I also added 3/4 cup instead of 1/2 cup.
- I used a dark metal muffin pan and my muffins were finished baking after 22 minutes instead of the full 25 minutes indicated. Some bakers found that their muffins were done as early as 17 minutes.
- I used chocolate covered sunflower seeds instead of raw sunflower seeds on top.
- Wrapped airtight, these can be frozen for up to 2 months. Rewarm in a 350F oven, or split and toast the muffins before serving.
- For more recipe tips, click here.

34 comments:

  1. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE that you used chocolate-covered sunflower seeds in the muffins - too fun!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your muffins look great with those chocolate covered sunflower seeds. These were just okay for me, too. I did enjoy them with chocolate chips in there, though.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well, they look fantastic even if they weren't a "wow". Where did you find chocolate covered sunflower seeds?

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm with you on these, but it was fun to try them. And I had been wondering what those colorful objects were! It's funny about your Trader Joe's list...I do that with Whole Foods when I go home to visit.
    Audrey

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a great idea!
    I got those sunflower seeds once for a Halloween present, but could never find them again. Bummer.
    Bravo!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I used cranberries as well...it was tasty. And your pictures are so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  7. You were right your chocolate covered sunflower seeds did kick up the muffins! I like the birdseye view one, third one up from the bottom. Oh, and while there isn't a Trader Joe's here in FL (BOO-HOO, here that place is FANTASTIC) I have seen your chocolate covered sunflower seeds around, too!
    ~ingrid

    ReplyDelete
  8. i also didn't fall in love with them! they were fine, but not more. but i love the fall colors of your sunflower seeds, so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Love those little choc covered sunflower seeds. Gonna have to look for them--also live no where near a TJ's!
    So do you like sunflower seeds but not any nuts? Just wondering.
    I have a friend who hates ALL nuts, including peanuts, but she will eat peanut butter. Hmmm?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Oh those chocolate covered sunflower seeds are just too cute! And I bet they were delicious, too!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow, I have to buy those coated sunflowers the next time I'm at Trader Joe's. That first photo is gorgeous! Looks yummy.

    ReplyDelete
  12. That is so friggin awesome! Chocolate covered sunflower seeds?! You got to be kidding me. Sheer genius. I love the orange color of your muffins and the contrast of the seeds . . . excellent job once again!

    ReplyDelete
  13. awesome idea to use the coated sunflower seeds! they just go perfectly with this recipe, even the colors :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ooooh! I loved the chocolate covered sunflower seeds. I think those are the best thing since sliced bread! Wish I would have thought to use those! You are so smart!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Chocolate-covered sunflower seeds? I'll have to see if Whole Foods has them, as there is no Trader Joe's here in Colorado! The fall colors were such a nice, sweet touch to the muffins, which look awesome!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Very festive muffins. I love all of the colors! They look great!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Chocolate covered sunflower seeds!! I've never even seen them, What a great assition to the muffins!

    ReplyDelete
  18. These look beautiful! I love the addition of the chocolate covered sunflower seeds! They're so pretty and colorful :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. No fair. I live nowhere near a TJs. I haven't a clue where the nearest one may be! But I. Must. Know! These look so good!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I looked at your muffins and went - wait, did she put m&ms in these? Nice job combining the nuts and chocolate thing, I definitely need to get some of those chocolate sunflower seeds.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I can eat those chocolate covered sunflower seeds by the bucketful! What a great topping. I hope you are able to ratio them until your next visit!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Oh what a great use for those! And I have some at home! They make them look so festive.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh YUM! I forgot about those sunflower seeds!! I'm going have to do a TJs drive-by this week, your muffins look delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I love those sunflower seeds! I just bought some myself!

    ReplyDelete
  25. these are definitely the most colorful and festive muffins i've seen today--they're particularly fantastic. :)

    ReplyDelete
  26. You did it again! Totally love the colorful little chocolate sunflower seedlets. he he Thanks for taking such fun photos for your post too.
    Always, enjoy reading your notes and "take" on the recipe. I'm like you...not Wowed, but a good recipe for those on the fence.
    AmyRuth

    ReplyDelete
  27. the muffins look tasty, I'm going to try to find those chocolate covered sunflower seeds online.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Now this is a muffin...I'm loving this!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Your muffins looks great with the chocolate covered sunflower seeds! So colorful and pretty! I don't have a Trader Joe's near me either so I feel your pain.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Those candy covered sunflower seeds are just adorable! They work perfectly in the muffins and the pictures are a lot of fun!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Cost Plus World Market has those seeds and I think I saw some at Marshall's last week. I am totally with you on the muffins - too gentle and subtle for me. I like my pumpkin baked goods to pack a punch.
    Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  32. Well, they sure look cute. Sorry you didn't love them, but hey what are the chances we'll love every single recipe in this book, lol.

    Cool sunflower seeds. How do they taste?

    ReplyDelete
  33. On my next visit to TJs I'm going to look for those sunflower seeds. What a great combination with the muffins!

    ReplyDelete
  34. I love your pictures--the chocolate-covered pumpkin seeds make such a colorful addition. I don't live anywhere near a Trader Joe's either, though I used to. I miss it.

    ReplyDelete