Gluten Free Recipe: Pumpkin Muffins!

Big thank you to Jules Gluten Free for another wonderful recipe!

Gluten Free Pumpkin Muffins
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Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar OR coconut palm sugar (unrefined, more nutritious & lower GI)
• 1/4 cup (4 Tbs.) shortening (e.g. Earth Balance® Buttery Sticks or Coconut Oil)
• 1 egg OR egg substitute (1 Tbs. flaxseed meal steeped in 3 Tbs. very warm water – let stand until viscous)
• 3/4 cup pumpkin purée
• 1 1/4 cup Jules Gluten Free™ All Purpose Flour
• 2 Tbs. flaxseed meal (optional, but healthy & nice flavor addition)
• 1 Tbs. baking powder, gluten-free
• 1/4 tsp. baking soda
• pinch of salt
• 1 Tbs. pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 cup milk, dairy or non-dairy (soy, almond or coconut milk beverage)
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries or raisins (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
• sugar + cinnamon mixture to sprinkle on tops (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F (static) or 325 F (convection).

Line with papers or lightly oil 12 muffin cups.

Cream shortening and sugar until fluffy. Add the egg or egg substitute and pumpkin. Whisk together the dry ingredients in a separate bowl, then add to the pumpkin mixture, alternating with milk. Beat until fully incorporated. Fold in berries and/or nuts, if using.

Scoop into prepared muffin tins — the batter will be thick, so smooth the tops with a rubber spatula before baking. Sprinkle tops with cinnamon-sugar mixture, if using.

Bake for 16-18 minutes, checking with a toothpick to see that they are done before removing to cool on a wire rack.

Makes 12 muffins.