Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Melissa and I made these today and they are yummy!  Perfect for the fall!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Yield: 12 muffins plus 12 mini muffins

ingredients:

1 15 ounce can 100% pumpkin
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 cup dark brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup mini semi sweet chocolate chips, optional
1/2 cup chopped pecans, optional

directions:

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees. Spray muffin pans with cooking spray or use papers.

2. Bring pumpkin, ginger, cinnamon and cloves to a simmer in a medium saucepan, stirring occasionally, until puree thickens about 5 minutes. Pour into a mixing bowl & allow to cool for a couple of minutes. Whisk in brown sugar and oil, then slowly whisk in eggs.

3. In a separate bowl whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Whisk flour mixture into pumpkin mixture until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips & pecans, if desired.

4. Divide batter among the muffin cups and bake until golden and cooked through, about 10 minutes for the mini muffins & 13 minutes for the regular sized muffins.

Alternate version:
Leave out the chocolate chips and pecans and glaze with an orange drizzle instead:

Orange Drizzle
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/4 tsp finely grated orange zest
4 tsp orange juice

Mix together and drizzle over warm muffins.

From: http://sprinklesomesunshine.blogspot.com/2011/10/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-muffin-party.html and allrecipes.com

Cheryl's Carmel Apple Salad

Cheryl Higbee brought this yummy Carmel Apple salad to Jaelin's baby blessing.  Yummy :-)

16 oz Cool Whip
1 small box Instant Vanilla Pudding
Mix together

Add:
6-8 Granny Smith apples, diced into small pieces

Stir in just before serving:
6 Snickers candy bars, chopped (can also try other candy bars like Twix or Whatchamacallit)