Mini Pumpkin Muffins

 

We are HUGE muffin fans at my house; they are our breakfast-go-to most of the time.  I usually make big batches and freeze some for future breakfasts. This week my 4-year-old daughter was "snack leader" at preschool, so I made some cute, tiny and healthy muffins.  I may have sent along 20 bags of Scarecrow Crunch (see 11/7/13 post for recipe) too...I mostly always over-do it on "snack day"! Best of all, there were plenty of muffins left over for us, too! They are moist, a little chocolate-y and just the right size to pop in your mouth - yay!

The Best Mini Pumpkin Muffins 
adapted from Smitten Kitchen

1 cup canned pumpkin
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup vegetable oil (I used safflower)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
a dash salt
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup (or so) mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease the cups of a mini muffin tin VERY WELL.  In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, sugar, oil, eggs, spice, baking soda and salt.  Add flour and stir until just smooth. Carefully fold in chocolate chips.  Divide batter among greased muffin cups, filling each just a bit more than 3/4 full.  Bake for 10-14 minutes or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool and eat right away or store in an airtight container and keep refrigerated.  Enjoy!

 

Something new: a crafting playdate!

 

I got this great idea, after seeing "crafternoon" posts on a bunch of blogs online, to do some crafts during playdates.  And, I don't mean do crafts with the kids, I mean the mommies craft (and drink coffee, and eat goodies, and gossip, and vent) while the kiddos play! Today was the first one, at my house, and I tried out three things I recently found on Nora's blog at www.justmakestuff.com.  She's awesome! Check her out some time!

      First, we made cute ribbon covered tea lights, which were supposed to be washi tape covered tea lights, but my closest retail store had NO washi tape (guess I need to make a run to Michael's or Hobby Lobby in the near future)! Double-sided tape and cute grosgrain ribbon worked just brilliantly (see above photo).

 

 

 

 Then we covered jars I've squirreled away in my craft supply closet with fabric, paper, ribbon, etc. to create candle holders.

 

 

 

 

And, you don't think I'd do a post without a recipe, do you?  I served pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting and made Scarecrow Crunch to send along home. Great seasonal snack mix! I'm thinkin' of sending this to Regan's preschool for her snack day!

 

Scarecrow Crunch (a big thanks to www.justmakestuff.com)

 

4 cups crunchy oatmeal cereal squares

4 cups tiny pretzels

a 22-ounce bag autumn mix candy corn

2 cups Reeses Pieces

2 6-ounce boxes/bags caramel popcorn with nuts

a box (6-7 ounces) chocolate Teddy Grahams

 

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Makes 15 cups.

 

 

 

Doesn't that look festive?

 

 

Now, if I could just stop making THESE!