I want to cover up this morning hideous dead Amanda selfie with something pretty, so here goes...these are our absolute favorite fall treat...my Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins.
Normally, I stink at food photography, so I don't even bother with it. But some weeks back I was asked if I had a photo of my favorite muffins and I didn't.
I made them yesterday for breakfast and tried to make them pretty and presentable for a shot this morning to see if I had improved with my food photography skills.
So they are SUPER simple to make and are absolutely delicious. In fact, it's a Weight Watchers recipe and is pretty healthy (sans chocolate chips, but that makes them great!).
Amanda's Amazing Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins
1 box of spice cake mix
15 oz can of solid pack pumpkin
1 cup of chocolate chips (optional)
I also doctor mine up a bit with a shake or two more cinnamon, allspice and cloves. I also add a 1/4 cup or so of orange juice, some dry milk powder to sneak some dairy in there for my son and some ground flaxseed to healthen it up. I've also added dried cranberries, raisins and nuts, but my kids prefer them plainer.
Put in mini muffin tins, bake cool and enjoy. Sometimes I also bake it in a bundt pan and make it into a fall cake.
Let me know if you try them. Wish I could share mine with you all today over a cup of coffee or tea.
@bobfoto Here you go...a shot of my pumpkin muffins as requested. I guess I'm not so awful at food shots. So if you make them, this is what they should look like.
Looks great! I think I'll make these when I visit my mother again next week. It will be her 92nd birthday and the day after her biopsy for cancer. I think it will cheer her up!
@amandal They look yummy. I made some with your recipe, but I used a butternut squash instead of canned pumpkin. I cooked the squash in my pressure cooker, then followed the recipe. I'll be having one as a snack at work this afternoon.
@bill_fe Are yours more yellow or similarly colored. Did you put the chocolate in them? Do you like them? Thanks for your awesome food shot comments. yeah, I can do food!
I love using my yard as a backdrop in autumn too. Shame I don't have anymore autumn left this year, but thats okay as I have family instead and pretty spring colours :)
@bobfoto Sorry to bug, but I am curious as heck as what they would have on an American isle. Is it all canned goods and boxed stuff? I'd ask for a photo to see what brands and stuff, but you are done posting. Can you give me an idea if you remember or think to? Are you satisfied with the Aussie isle? Is that why you call it the stupid market, you can't get what you want?
@amandal - not many markets have been Super for a long time, they're all exploitative and over priced. Give me a Farmer's Market anyday (although, they compare their prices with retail too). The American Aisle is next to the Pilipino Aisle and the Thai Aisle. It is all packaged all sugar and all preservatives from what I see from a distance. Pity I didn't take any photos during Independence Day/Month.... lots of flags and ribbons!
@amandal - I love Thai Food too, but I don't use their aisle, that one too is full of processed products that are designed to heat and eat. I buy my fish sauce and fresh produce separately and make at home.
Now the US aisle has Smuckers Goober Jam, Heaps of Sunny Select tinned stuff, Honey Grahams or something like that and Pringles (the US made version)
@bobfoto They will be all out gone if you think too long. I always stock up this time of year like a crazy hoarder person. Well let me know if you do try what you think. Bill likes them. He even tried it with butternut squash.
@bobfoto yeah, is it for a really odd bloody mary? I've never had one. Don't think I'd like it probably as tomato juices isn't high on my list of preferences.
@bobfoto I'm making 2 batches of these today. I'm packaging some up for a neighbor I pissed off with my dog pooping in their yard (after they had asked me to keep her out) and some for a neighbor girl who gave Emily a scooter yesterday. Wish it were easy and I'd pass some onto you. Our next door neighbors moved out soon after I did a selfie in a pink bunny suit in the front yard earlier in the year (and they drove by and saw me before I ducked). No takers yet. Hope it's not me.:)
This is a great photo of your muffins, Amanda. I love that you put chocolate chips in them too. Not sure about adding all the extras that you do and have never made them before, just cookies and cupcakes in paper things as my muffin tins are older. Do you grease your muffin tin? FAV
@darsphotos Yes, I spray them with cooking spray. Or butter them if I am out of spray. Just straight up with the chocolate chips are great. Usually keep them pretty basic (but with the bit of oj and extra spices and flax seed if I have it). Thanks, friend!!!
@bobfoto Do they sell little ones? A little pumpkin wouldn't be so bad to cook down. And yes, it was a Christmas story jammies version. I don't know why I do shots like this in the front yard and on a weekend. Tagged you so you can see it in all it's ridiculousness.
@bobfoto I roasted two little pumpkins today and only got 2 cups of fresh pumpkin. But it's just enough to make my favorite pumpkin bread. Off to see if I have the ingredients. I had the weirdest creepy dream about you. It involved beard clippings, a tooth and being fed to the fishes. Very disturbing.
@amandal - just checking.... all teeth in my head, but my right-hand man up here is suffering from a rotten tooth. Dental care in this country is a recipe for a good horror story.
@bobfoto Did you ever make my muffins now that you have access to more normal ingredients? Making them this morning and the smell is amazing. How is life after 365? Still taking photos? Miss PNG? I answered your chipmunk vs squirrel questions in pretty good detail...with photos to show their differences. A bit of me didn't want to respond. I don't respond to much anymore on here except direct questions. No time. I am working now part time. It's kicked my butt adjusting to that. Hope you and yours are well.
@amandal - I remain muffinless. I sometimes take photos and I don't really miss PNG. Thanks for the chipmunk vs squirrel info and congrats on getting the part-time work!
Now the US aisle has Smuckers Goober Jam, Heaps of Sunny Select tinned stuff, Honey Grahams or something like that and Pringles (the US made version)
Bunny suit.... :)