Sniff These Pumpkin Muffins

Certain aromas from the kitchen remind us of the seasons. When it’s the scent of baking pumpkin and spices, you know fall is in the air.

This recipe for spicy low-fat muffins has only 2 tablespoons of canola oil--compared with some muffin recipes which can have up to one-half cup of oil. Yet they retain all the flavor of fall. Because they are so low in fat, be careful not to over-mix or over-bake them, or they may come out tough.

When stored tightly covered in a tin or wrapped airtight, the muffins stay moist and taste even better, I think, the next day.

Donna Deane’s book “Low Fat Kitchen” includes more than 100 recipes created especially for this column. To order, call (800) 246-4042. The price is $20.45 including shipping and sales tax.

Pumpkin and Cranberry Muffins

Active Work Time: 10 minutes * Total Preparation Time: 25 minutes

1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree

1/4 cup egg substitute (equivalent to 1 egg)

3/4 cup nonfat milk

2 tablespoons canola oil

2 cups cake flour

3 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed

1 cup fresh cranberries, finely chopped

Butter

1/4 cup granulated sugar

* Combine pumpkin, egg substitute, milk and oil in small bowl.

* Sift together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and salt into large mixing bowl. Stir in brown sugar, mixing well. Make well in center of flour mixture. Pour pumpkin mixture into well, then sprinkle with cranberries. Stir just until all ingredients are moistened; do not over-mix or muffins will be tough.

* Spoon into 12 nonstick muffin cups that have been lightly buttered. Bake at 400 degrees until toothpick inserted in center of muffins comes out clean, 12 to 15 minutes. Let muffins sit in pan 1 minute, then invert onto wire rack. Roll in granulated sugar while still warm.

12 muffins. Each muffin: 142 calories; 176 mg sodium; 1 mg cholesterol; 2 grams fat; 27 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams protein; 0.20 gram fiber.

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Square ginger plate from B. Ware’s Zen Garden Collection at .....