Can I tell you how many times I typed then deleted then typed the word “healthy” in the title Heathy Pumpkin Muffins? A lot. Sometimes I struggle with using the word “healthy” because nowadays there are SO many different definitions of what “healthy” means. But ultimately, I left the healthy in there. I don’t think healthy has to mean vegan, or whole grain, or paleo. For me it means good, real ingredients. And this recipe has those. In fact, all my recipes have those. And for those who eat only whole grains or use honey to sweeten, you just sub in for the listed ingredients and this will fit your eating style. So here we go…healthy (and drop dead delicious) pumpkin cranberry muffins.
How perfect would these muffins be for Thanksgiving breakfast, or anytime Thanksgiving weekend if you’re having houseguests? Though I have been eating lots of them the past few weeks and think they will carry me straight through fall and winter without needing a holiday occasion to make them! They are perfectly spiced and have this lovely complex background flavor from coconut oil, though they don’t have an obvious coconut flavor. The sprinkling of raw pumpkin seeds and oats on top are the prettiest finishing touch, and lately, I swear pumpkin seeds make everything better. I eat them by the handful.
The addition of cranberries is reminiscent of a blueberry muffin, and their tartness is such a nice complement and counterpoint to the richness of the pumpkin.
Muffins are one of our favorite weekend breakfasts around here. They only take a few minutes to stir together and then they’re out of the oven, warm and ready to eat, by the time you’ve finished your first cup of coffee.
- ½ c. coconut oil, melted and slightly cooled
- ¾ c. dark brown sugar
- 3 eggs
- 15 oz. can pumpkin
- ¼ c. buttermilk
- 1½ tsp. vanilla extract
- 1½ tsp. baking soda
- ¾ tsp. salt
- ¾ tsp. ground cinnamon
- ¾ tsp. ground ginger
- ¼ tsp. allspice
- 2⅔ c. flour
- ½ c. oats
- 1 c. fresh cranberries, coarsely chopped
- raw pumpkin seeds and extra oats for garnish
- Preheat the oven to 350º.
- Whisk the coconut oil and brown sugar in a large bowl. Add eggs, pumpkin, buttermilk, and vanilla and whisk until smooth.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, allspice, flour, and oats to combine. Add the cranberries and toss to coat with the flour mixture.
- Pour the dry ingredients into the wet and fold with a rubber spatula until just combined.
- Scoop into lined muffin cups - fill all the way to the top of the cups for large muffins or about ¾ of the way for medium-sized.
- Bake for about 30 minutes, until a toothpick comes out mostly clean. Cooking times may vary a bit (I cooked on convect).
While these look great, sugar and flour are not our friends.
Hi Robin – thanks for your comment. As I said at the beginning of this post, there are many different definitions of healthy. For me, healthy has to do with moderation and eating mostly good-for-you ingredients, like pumpkin, cranberries, oats, and pumpkin seeds. I know flour does not work for everyone but I am not gluten free so it is a fine choice for me. I also believe sugar, in moderation, is fine. Those who do not tolerate sugar well or who disagree that moderation is an okay choice can sub honey, maple syrup, agave, coconut sugar, or any number of alternative
natural sweeteners.
Hi Robin – thanks for your comment. As I said at the beginning of this post, there are many different definitions of healthy. For me, healthy has to do with moderation and eating mostly good-for-you ingredients, like pumpkin, cranberries, oats, and pumpkin seeds. I know flour does not work for everyone but I am not gluten free so it is a fine choice for me. I also believe sugar, in moderation, is fine. Those who do not tolerate sugar well or who disagree that moderation is an okay choice can sub honey, maple syrup, agave, coconut sugar, or any number of alternative
natural sweeteners.
So funny! I am scared to even say the word healthy without following it with an explanation! Those look great though and your photography is equally as yummy!
I know, it is SUCH a subjective word!
These sound so yummy. Beautiful pics! And I couldn’t agree more. I just don’t have the lifestyle to eat vegan or paleo or sugar-free all the time, and I love all kinds of food! So to me healthy means real ingredients and the unhealthy stuff in moderation, as long as I’m also getting lots of nutrients in other foods…as well as mixed into recipes like this one.:)
~Krisztina / http://www.krisztinawilliams.com
A woman after my own heart! Thanks, Krisztina :)