Pumpkin Walnut Bran Muffins

Recipe courtesy of Walnut Marketing Board.

Recipe Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups raisin bran cereal
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin purée
1/4 cup milk
2 large eggs
2 tablespoons light olive oil
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 cup California walnuts, chopped

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (205°C). Grease or line a 12-cup muffin pan.
2. In a large bowl, stir together cereal, pumpkin, milk, eggs and oil.
3. In a medium bowl, stir flour, brown sugar, packed, baking powder and spices until well combined.
4. Stir flour mixture and walnuts into pumpkin mixture.
5. Scoop batter into prepared muffin cups.
6. Bake 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted through side of muffin top comes out clean.

Makes 12 muffins.

Variations:

For Pumpkin Cream Cheese Filling:
1/4 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Place a heaping teaspoon of cream cheese filling on top of muffin batter before baking.

For Walnut Crunch Topping:
1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup chopped California walnuts
1 1/2 teaspoons butter

1. Combine all ingredients and sprinkle on top of muffin batter before baking.

Nutritional Information Per Serving (1/12 of recipe): Calories: 173; Calories From Fat: 33; Total Fat: 7g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 36mg; Total Carbs: 26g; Fiber: 3g; Protein: 5g; Sodium: 175mg; Potassium: 207mg.

Recipe and photograph courtesy of Walnut Marketing Board.