A Draw Towards Home
We are now nearing the end of October, and the air is finally getting crisp. Summer came and went, and so begins the slower, darker days, the cozy evenings in, and for us, starting up the wood burning stove. My husband just built us a wood shed which will make gathering firewood in the cold winter months so much easier than what we previously had. Our firewood simply lived under a tarp and getting that tarp to stay down and keep the wood dry during windy winter storms was always a hassle. Now with the change of season we get to make our efforts from the outside of our home to the inside. Creating a cozier environment, making homemade candles, enjoying hot teas, soups, and warm baked goods are beginning again in our home. There is something about the change of season that draws me to declutter, organize and find joy in homemaking that may have gotten lost in the chaos of summer— markets, gardening, camping, etc. etc... But it does eventually come back, along with the pumpkins and gourds and cinnamon broom that somehow end up in a few rooms of my house.
For us, it’s become somewhat of a habit to have a sweet treat come nightfall when my husband and I are cuddled together on the couch either talking about the days’ events, reading or even watching… Gilmore Girls. Yes, my husband is a pretty diehard GG fan and we have absolutely hopped on the train of rewatching it every fall. But with a cozy evening in comes the (dare I say) need to have a baked good. I’ve enjoyed baking healthier types of desserts that I would feel good about eating for breakfast or at least along with a real breakfast, usually subbing out refined sugars for maple syrup or honey and sometimes using almond flour or buckwheat flour rather than all-purpose. This is one of those recipes. I hope you enjoy this simple muffin recipe that might encourage you to spend an evening in at home, slow down, and enjoy sharing a warm muffin with good company.
Autumn Spiced Morning Glory Muffins
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of pumpkin puree
1/2 cup of applesauce
1/3 cup of maple syrup or honey
1/2 cup of oil
1 large egg
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon of pumpkin spice
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
2 teaspoons of baking powder
1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
1/2 teaspoon of sea salt
1 carrot, finely grated
a handful or two of raisins
How to:
Set your oven to 375°F
Combine wet ingredients by hand or by mixer until combined
In a separate bowl combine dry ingredients
Slowly incorporate dry mixture into wet only until combined
Gently fold in grated carrots and raisins into the batter
Let the batter sit for a few minutes to thicken
Scoop batter into well oiled muffin pan
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean!
Remove from oven and cool on a cooling rack before serving
or just go for it and dig right in
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
