Orange Pumpkin Muffins

Ingredients

Streusel Topping

• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup icing sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds, raw

Muffins

• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds, raw
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, ground
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice, ground
• 1 orange
• 1 egg
• 1 cup pumpkin puree, canned
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup butter, melted

Directions

1. 1

   For the streusel: stir flour with icing sugar and baking powder. Add melted butter and vanilla & mix lightly with a fork until moist crumbs form. Set aside with 1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds.

2. 2

   For the muffins: preheat oven to 375°F Spread 1/4 cup of pumpkin seeds on a cookie sheet & toast 5 to 7 minutes - until a few begin to brown & they smell good - watch them closely. Cool them off the cookie sheet.

3. 3

   Grease a 12 muffin tin, including the top (make big muffin topps release easily too).

4. 4

   Sift dry ingredients into a large bowl.

5. 5

   In a second bowl, grate the zest of the orange. Squeeze 1/4 cup orange juice in with the zest. add the egg & beat lightly. Stir in pumpkin puree, buttermilk, juice, vanilla and butter.

6. 6

   Fold wet pumpkin mixture into flour until mostly moistened. Then stir in toasted pumpkin seeds until well mixed; divide batter among cups, heaping slightly in centre (batter completely fills cups). Sprinkle with raw pumpkin seeds; then top liberally with streusel crumbs. Press seeds and crumbs gently into muffin tops.

7. 7

   Bake in center of preheated oven for 25 to 28 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into muffin centre comes out clean and tops are lightly golden.

8. 8

   Rest on cooling rack for 5 minutes; then lift each muffin out of pan onto rack. Cool completely; to serve, lightly sieve a spoonful of confectioner's sugar over muffin tops, if desired.