Dori Greenspan’s Pumpkin Muffins

CATHRYN DANIELS

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

pinch of ground allspice

1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

2 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup canned, unsweetened pumpkin puree

1/4 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup golden raisins

1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans

1/3 cup sunflower seeds, for topping

Center a rack in the oven and preheat to 400°. Butter or spray 12 cupcake molds in a regular-size pan or fit with paper cups. Place the pan on a baking sheet. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices. Set aside. Working with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or with a hand mixer in a large bowl, beat the butter at medium speed until soft. Add both the sugars and continue to beat until light and smooth. One by one, add the eggs, beating for a minute after they are incorporated, then beat in the vanilla. Lower the mixer speed and mix in the pumpkin and buttermilk. Add the dry ingredients in a steady stream, mixing only until they disappear. To avoid over mixing, you can stop the machine early and stir in any remaining dry ingredients into the batter using a rubber spatula. Stir in the raisins and nuts.

Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups and sprinkle a few sunflower seeds over the top of each muffin. Bake for 17 to 20 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center of the muffin comes out clean. Transfer the pan to a rack and cool the muffins for 5 minutes in the pan, then carefully remove each one from its mold to finish cooling on the rack.

STREUSEL TOPPING

(Enough for 12 muffins)

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup light brown sugar

1/4 cup chopped pecans

1/4 salted butter, cut into small pieces

Place all ingredients in a small mixing bowl. Mix with your hand until crumbly. Top each well of muffin batter with 1 tablespoons streusel.