Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Pumpkin apple streusel muffins


Although both apples and pumpkin--canned, at least--are available year-round, I never use them as much the rest of the year as I do in the fall. In October, I start getting a hankering for pumpkin bread and apple crisps. There are other things, too--I've been dreaming of this upside-down pear cake since last November (though I'll have to be sneaky, since the husband doesn't like maple--what's wrong with him?) and this gorgeous applesauce cake. All of these recipes have the sultriness of autumn: cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg. If summer can be summed up in a perfect juicy tomato, I'd argue that the essence of fall can be found in a rich, dark gingerbread, full of molasses and spice.

Coming in at close second are these pumpkin apple streusel muffins I made last Sunday. Not only was the day hopelessly grey, but a light, steady rain drizzled from start to finish. It was the kind of morning that needs a cozy, homey breakfast, preferably something with a little sweetness to balance out the dreary world outside.

I found the recipe for these pumpkin apple streusel muffins and decided they looked just right--with a few adjustments, of course!  Since I did not have pumpkin pie spice, I substituted cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. I also skipped the raisins, because I think raisins both look and taste hideous, and I shortened the baking time to 27 minutes. Also, I would consider using a different streusel topping. This one was fine, but melted a bit into the muffin. I prefer a distinct crumbly topping. Ina Garten has a great recipe for blueberry streusel muffins from which I'll steal the streusel next time.

The muffins were a hit with the husband and other hungry dog, who has developed a strong preference for baked goods. It's become apparent that coaxing her to eat dog food is pointless; we have accepted that she will live the rest of her days feasting on roast chicken, plain hamburgers, muffins, and snack cake. She eats like a toddler. It's a terrible model for dog-raising, I know. But when your pup is on the verge of turning 15 and has survived two bouts of cancer, you do what keeps a spring in her step and hope that someday, when you, too, are old and and must rely on someone to balance being kind with what is best for you, they will do the same.

20 comments:

  1. Franny is turning 15 exactly because she gets such loving treatment from you two!
    Mmm, yummy sounding muffins. Though I'm lamenting the total non-summer that was this year, I am so ready to start baking with pumpkin, apples, pecans, etc. and all those warm spices that go with them. Oh, and definitely MAPLE, too! - Pete

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  2. I completely agree with your stances on streusel topping and raisins. These muffins sound fabulous - I'll have to save some of next week's CSA butternut squash to make them. (The apple supply is never a problem.)

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  3. i love this picture of you two!!

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  4. Pete: Aw, thank you! I like to think the same thing. I really want to make those maple oat scones you made awhile ago...I'll just have to eat them all, I guess.

    camille: We have so much in common, don't we? :)

    DS: xoxo Hope you are feeling better!

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  5. That picture makes me really happy. And imagining you three sitting together and looking out the window at the fog and grey while feasting on tasty muffins also makes me happy (and jealous). Happy fall cooking!

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  6. Oh, I love that your sweet Frances gets to eat treats like this. :)

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  7. I really want one right now...I am almost envious of your dog!

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  8. Awww, love the photo of you and Frances. I used to help do the shopping for some elderly people and it used to tickle me to see the things they'd put on their shopping lists, stuff like jelly, cordial, cakes and iced bicuits. I think they figured at their age they might as well enjoy what they ate. Very sensible too.

    The muffins look and sound perfect for fall. Happy Halloween too :)

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  9. Ash: Aw, thanks! Hope to see you soon.

    oneordinaryday: she's a lucky girl!

    ALY: I know, she's spoiled :)

    shaz: Thanks! And how nice of you to volunteer like that. Happy Halloween!

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  10. I totally get how you feel about your dog, we are the same with ours. Its important to keep them happy! (Not to mention when they're so sweet and good its difficult to deny them anything.)

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  11. raisins ARE ugly, aren't they! great muffins, seriously--the streusel is the key.

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  12. what a lovely photo! I love the fall too, it makes me think of the great pumpkin and piles of leaves, except I dislike the the shortening days. Awww, does Frances have on a fashionable shawl?

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  13. I'm exactly the same! I only cook with pumpkin (canned included) during the fall.

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  14. Connie: They are very difficult to resist, it's true!

    grace: Raisins are revolting. But streusel--gorgeous and delicious!

    foodhoe: Thank you! She actually has a little harness on--that photo was taken when she was having a little dizziness last year. She's ok now.

    Jessica: I feel like I should seek out pumpkin at other times of the year since I like it so much but I never do...

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  15. Fab muffins, Samantha! I love the streudel topping. And I'd spoil that darling hungry dog too! Such a cute photo of you both!

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  16. The muffins are fabulous. Along with your other Hungry Dog, I would gladly share my snack cakes with him. As long, as I could have a really good cup of coffee to go along with them.

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  17. I love pumpkin too! It's funny too because I think really the taste of pumpkin just comes from all the additional spices. So maybe I should say I love cinnamon-cloves-nutmeg-etc. combo! I still don't understand the concept of a streusel, though.

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  18. Barbara: Aw, thank you!

    Velva: These do go quite well with coffee...

    Ben: You are so right. Pumpkin on its own is pretty tasteless. Add sugar and spice and you're all set though...

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  19. What a coincidence! I just made that applesauce spice cake from Gourmet (my most recent post), but the icing got all messed up for some reason.
    The muffins look great! I am a sucker for streusel.
    *kisses* HH

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  20. HH: How funny! I'm heading over to your blog now. I love that cake.

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