Fresh From Scratch Pumpkin Muffins

This recipe is not fast or easy...and you could make it faster and easier by using canned pumpkin, BUT...our judges agree these muffins are amazing and worth the time!

Ingredients:

1 small/medium size pumpkin (you need 2 1.2 cups of pumpkin)

3 farm fresh eggs (beaten)

1 3/4 cups sugar (raw unbleached is best)

1 stick of butter (real butter...salted or unsalted, you choose)

3 Tablespoons of vanilla (we like alcohol free, natural vanilla but there again it's your choice)

2 1/4 cups unbleached flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons cinnamon

3 cups raisins

optional: walnuts

Directions:

If you are using fresh pumpkin start here:

Cut your pumpkin in half and remove the seeds and stringy insides (throw those away or save for a different project). place both pieces in a greased shallow baking dish outsides down - so they look like bowls sitting in the pan. Cut your stick of butter in half and place each half in half of the pumpkin. Add 3/4 cup of your sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon (splitting it between the two sections of pumpkin). Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees for 90 minutes. Let cool and proceed to the next steps.

Scoop pumpkin and all the juice into a large mixing bowl. Be careful not to loose any of your butter because you won't be adding any more butter or oil to this recipe...it's all right there already. Use a potato masher to make the pumpkin a bit smoother. Now add 3 eggs, and remaining amount of sugar (1 cup) and mix until the lumps have disappeared. Now add the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Mix again. Finally you can add the raisins (and optional nuts if you wish). Bake at 350 degrees and check after 11 minutes and every minutes thereafter until they are done. You can check them by inserting a toothpick.

These are fabulous without any frosting, but if you have a sweet tooth you could add a cream cheese frosting for some extra yumminess! ENJOY!!!


If you are using canned pumpkin:

Combine 2 1/2 cups of pumpkin, eggs, sugar, butter (melted), and vanilla in a large bowl and mix until the lumps disappear. Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Mix again. Lastly you'll fold in the raisins and optional nuts if you wish. Bake at 350 degrees and check after 11 minutes and every minutes thereafter until they are done. You can check them by inserting a toothpick.

These are fabulous without any frosting, but if you have a sweet tooth you could add a cream cheese frosting for some extra yumminess! ENJOY!!!