Taste of a Season

What does Autumn smell like?  Or more specifically, what does it taste like? 

Pumpkin Pie Muffins

[With cinnamon swirl or streusel topping]

1 canned pumpkin (or you can roast your own in the oven; the can just saves time)

1 1/2 cups flour

3/4-1 cup brown sugar

1/4 granulated sugar

2 tsps baking powder

1/2 cup oats

1 tsp salt

1-2 tsp vanille (vanilla)

1 tsp cannelle (cinnamon...of course, you can always add more)

1 tsp allspice

1 tsp nutmeg 1 tsp gingembre (ginger)

1 oeuf (egg)

1 stick of butter, cut in half and refrigerated until needed

Honey yogurt (used Trader Joe's thick European style here, but feel free to experiment)

1.  Mix all the dry ingredients in a medium sized bowl i.e. flour, baking powder, oats, salt and spices.  I ground the allspice which adds a stronger flavor.

2.  Combine the wet ingredients in a large bowl.  First mix the sugars and egg.  Add in the pumpkin.  Mix after adding each ingredient.  Then add in half a stick of melted butter with the vanilla.  Add in the yogurt.

3.  Melange (Mix) the dry ingredients with the wet.  Once it is well mixed, add to muffin tins.  Fill it up all the way.

 4.  TOPPINGS TIME:  

Cinnamon swirl topping --->  Mix 1/2 cup of brown sugar with 2 tsps of cinnamon and 1/2 stick of melted butter.  Place it in a plastic bag to cool.  Then, pipe it and swirl it into the tops of muffins.

Cinnamon streusel topping  --->  Mix 1/2 cup of brown sugar with 1/2 cup of flour and 1/2 a cup of oats.  Add in 1/2 a stick of cold butter broken up into pieces and sprinkle on the tops of muffins.

 5.  Bake muffins at 375-400 F for 25-40  minutes depending on which temperature you choose and how moist you like your muffins.

So, what does Autumn taste like to you?