Tuesdays with Dorie: Pumpkin Muffins
October 21, 2008 at 5:14 am | Posted in breakfast things, groups, muffins/quick breads, tuesdays with dorie | 52 Comments
It’s spring-time warm here, and pumpkin would be the last thing on my mind if it weren’t for the fact that Kelly of Sounding My Barbaric Gulp chose these muffins for TWD. I’d actually better get used to the idea of cool weather foods, and quick, because come Friday, I’ll be back in the States! That’s right–this is my last TWD from Oz…I’ve already done next week’s recipe, but I won’t be able to post “early” anymore. Boo.
I’ve never noticed canned (or tinned) pumpkin in Australian grocery stores. Maybe I’ve been looking in the wrong aisle, I don’t know, but I assume it’s just not popular here. I would have had to roast and mash my own if I hadn’t had a can of Libby’s that I brought back from home. As an aside, which my American friends may or may not find interesting, all the hard-skinned gourds are referred to as “pumpkin” here (not just the orange ones that I think of in the US). For instance, I’ve gotten used to calling butternut a pumpkin, not a squash.
So, armed with my Libby’s, I was ready to tackle Dorie’s muffin recipe. I started by dividing it half (to make just six) and replacing the raisins with dried cranberries. Then I decided to skimp on the butter a bit, leaving out one tablespoon and replacing it with an additional tablespoon of buttermilk. The baked muffins were moist and soft, so I never even noticed that bit of butter was missing. What was missing, though, were the nuts! I had the exact amount of walnuts needed for this…they were right there on the counter…and that’s where they stayed. Oops! Early morning baking is apparently not my forte. Oh well–they found a new home in a spinach salad instead.
I can’t say that I ever crave pumpkin muffins, but I liked these a lot. I’ll make them again if I have an open can that needs to be used up. Next time, I’ll be sure to remember the nuts!
For the recipe, look in Baking: From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan or read Kelly’s post. Don’t forget to check out the TWD Blogroll to see what close to 300 other people had to say!
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a whisk and a spoon 
yum! The cranberries look really great in there. I am not a fan of nuts at all so I don’t feel to bad for you that they stayed on the counter! Well….only if you missed them. 🙂
Comment by Karen— October 21, 2008 #
They look wonderful – and are those pumpkin seeds on top, instead of sunflower seeds? That’s what I thought she should’ve used. Anyway, yum, as always!
Comment by Lori— October 21, 2008 #
Enjoy the warm weather for me, please!!! It’s FRIGID here 😦
Glad you liked the muffins!! Yes, DEFINITELY add nuts next time 🙂
Comment by VeggieGirl— October 21, 2008 #
wow, you’re fast, I’ve finished baking mine just a few minutes ago, and you’ve already put up a complete post and a couple of great pics. 🙂
Comment by Piggy— October 21, 2008 #
Yum! Is canned pumpkin much different to cooked and mashed? I steamed and mashed mine.
Comment by Tammy— October 21, 2008 #
great looking muffins. I like them. The last photo is really beautiful
Comment by snooky doodle— October 21, 2008 #
How lucky! …one single can of pumkin puree brought from the States in the land of pumkinless-Oz!!!
Great muffins Steph!
Looking forward to reading you from up close! LOL
Good luck on the move.
Comment by Vibi— October 21, 2008 #
I used craisins too and I am so glad I did. I am not a raisin fan but craisins are a great substitute almost every time! LOL @ forgotten walnuts. Oops! But your muffins look amazing sans walnuts anyways. Welcome back to the States. Happy and safe trip!
Clara @ iheartfood4thought
Comment by CB— October 21, 2008 #
These look fantastic! I left my whole batch of eggs on the counter once! At least you enjoyed them later! Yummy looking muffins!
Comment by food librarian— October 21, 2008 #
Those look wonderful…I have greater appreciation for my humble cans of Libby’s pumpkin now, too! Welcome back to the States and have a safe trip.
Comment by Jessica— October 21, 2008 #
Your muffins look delicious! I’ll miss your early posts but welcome back to the States!
Comment by Heather B— October 21, 2008 #
I wish it was spring time here as well, but unfortunately winter is coming soon…. I loved these muffins. Yours look great with the contrasting colour of the cranberries!
Comment by Marthe— October 21, 2008 #
They look beautiful! I’ll have to try Craisins next time. Good luck with the move and I hope you have a safe trip!
Comment by Erin— October 21, 2008 #
Looks delicious and with all the adjustments, sounds like it tasted great too.
Comment by Lauren— October 21, 2008 #
Mmmm, they look delish!! Good idea with the cranberries!
Comment by Amy (Sing for your supper)— October 21, 2008 #
Well, at least the walnuts found a good home! The muffin looks delicately delicious.
Comment by pamela— October 21, 2008 #
I couldn’t find canned pumpkin anywhere either. I tried both Coles and Woolies. Oh forgetting the nuts! I think that made these muffins so special! I always find it amusing Americans call certain things different names to us. Even from WA to QLD there is a difference. We might end up in the US in the very near future so it will be hard to get used calling things different names!
Comment by Bria— October 21, 2008 #
Oh look at these! They look delicious.
Comment by Landa— October 21, 2008 #
You took a can of Libby’s pumpkin to Oz? Wow. Somehow, I have a feeling there’s a story attached to that one.
The muffins look terrific. Think of how many new variations you’ll be able to make when you cross to the dark side, I mean North America.
Comment by giz— October 21, 2008 #
Those look delicious! I would have forgotten the walnuts on purpose. Oh well.
Comment by Jules— October 21, 2008 #
Too funny that they call everything pumpkin – makes some recipes confusing, doesn’t it? But I’m glad you had some squirrelled away, because those look fantastic, even without the nuts 🙂
Comment by Caitlin— October 21, 2008 #
Your muffins look awesome! Great pictures! Good luck on your trip back to the states.
Comment by Tami— October 21, 2008 #
I bet the dried cranberries were great in these. Good luck with your move! I hope you get settled quickly.
Comment by Di— October 21, 2008 #
Aw. I’ll miss your Monday night posts. Your muffins look fabulous.
Comment by rainbowbrown— October 21, 2008 #
Love the cranberries and that last photo. Makes me wish I one as I sit here with my coffee reading posts! 🙂
Comment by HoneyB— October 21, 2008 #
LOL love that you forgot the nuts, nice to know I’m not the only one that does things like that 🙂 Glad you got to make these, they turned out beautiful! I loved mine too and will definitely make them again 🙂
Comment by Amanda— October 21, 2008 #
The cranberries sound really great in these…and they look spectacular, with or without the nuts! Great job with the combination of flavors!
Comment by Kayte— October 22, 2008 #
Looks wonderful.
Will you be glad to be back in the states?
Comment by chocolatechic— October 22, 2008 #
Mmmm I love pumpkin muffins, but I never thought to put pumpkin seeds on top. And the cranberries are a fabulous idea! I would die without canned pumpkin!
Comment by Sues— October 22, 2008 #
I don’t crave pumpkin either, but weren’t these just scrumptious? I just had one for breakfast. I will try the chocolate chips next time with craisins.
Comment by Tamy ~ 3 Sides of Crazy— October 22, 2008 #
they look yummy!! the cranberries, i’m sure, were a delicious change. glad you liked them and best of luck with the big move!
Comment by kim— October 22, 2008 #
Any non-pumpkin eating kid will absolutely love these delicious muffins…
Comment by nina— October 22, 2008 #
I went with some of the same adjustments. Your pics are fabulous, the colors are so great!
Comment by honeymuffin— October 22, 2008 #
i’ll miss getting my TWD fix early with your posts! but your muffins look terrific and good luck with the move!
Comment by mimi— October 22, 2008 #
These look great, I used cranberries too…YUM!
Comment by mybakingaddiction— October 22, 2008 #
Wow — you thought to bring a can of Libby’s to Australia with you? Now THAT’s what I call prepared! Glad you liked these — they look beautiful! Love the dried cranberries. Glad you found a way to repurpose the walnuts!
Comment by Cathy— October 22, 2008 #
The cranberries look great but I especially love that you put pumpkin seeds on top. Good idea with the extra buttermilk too. They look delicious!
Comment by Becky— October 22, 2008 #
I love the bottom pic! That muffin looks too good to eat! Fab job!
Comment by Sugar Betty— October 22, 2008 #
These are my favorite muffins from the book! I have baked them several times since receiving the book. …hmm? Maybe it’s time for another batch! 🙂
Comment by Gigi— October 22, 2008 #
Good luck with your move. With an endless supply of canned pumpkin and Jif at your disposal, you will be hording a whole new set of unavailable Australian ingredients that you are no doubt hopelessly hooked on. Travel safely.
Comment by Carol Peterman— October 22, 2008 #
Lovely muffins! I’ve so enjoyed your posts from Australia but I know I will be an avid reader of your American posts too.
Comment by Heather Peskin— October 22, 2008 #
I really liked these. Yours look great! Have a safe trip back to the states. 🙂
Comment by Annette— October 22, 2008 #
Lovely muffins, with or without nuts! Best wishes for a safe trip.
Comment by Barbara— October 22, 2008 #
Your muffins look beautiful, but now I’m wondering what you were going to cook with the canned pumpkin! Especially if you don’t crave pumpkin muffins.
Comment by Nancy (n.o.e.)— October 22, 2008 #
These look wonderful. The texture of your muffins is amazing. Wish mine had turned out. Very nice. Yummy!!!
Comment by teaandscones— October 22, 2008 #
Apparently you can buy tinned pumpkin at David Jones. I have yet to find it there myself but I’ve heard its there.
We aren’t as big on the fall festivities as the US is. It may be due to the lack of thanksgiving. We tend to do easter then the queens birthday instead and spend the entire time bbqing.
They look scrumptious too
Comment by Eleanor— October 22, 2008 #
Yum – cranberries! Your muffins look beautiful – great job on these!
Comment by Sandy S— October 22, 2008 #
Eleanor–They do sell a large tin of Libby’s at DJ’s Food Hall. It’s about four times the price it should be, though…I would have just mashed my own if I hadn’t happened to have some.
Comment by steph (whisk/spoon)— October 23, 2008 #
I can not wait for Halloween to try to make these Pumpkin Muffins…these look yummy
Andy
http://www.recipebuddys.com
Comment by Andy Abraham— October 24, 2008 #
I love how it is in different parts of the world, the food, the language, all of it. Can you imagine trying to make these if the only thing available was spaghetti squash, since it is a winter squash also? I am wondering…what can you get easily in Australia that you will miss in the US? Okay, and why do people refer to it as Oz?
Comment by Amber— October 23, 2008 #
These look really lovely! I adore the decor with your title…why didn’t I think of that! Hope your move is going well!
Comment by Gretchen Noelle— October 24, 2008 #
I don’t know on how I stumbled upon this cooking blog., All I know is that I’d better check out the archives for a good read. Ha-ha! Just droppin’ to say hi!
Oh. You might want to check this out: http://www.technocooks.com for uhm…a different “menu.”
Comment by Bob LaGatta— October 25, 2008 #