Streusel Topped Pumpkin Loaf

Tomorrow night Ryan and I are heading out to an annual pumpkin-carving hoopla at our friends’ apartment.

Pumpkin carving for our twosome is the same every year… Ryan cuts into the pumpkin and removes the seeds (which we save and I later bake) and I carve the face! Here’s a picture of one of our previous creations:

Me, Ryan and Pumpkie

Since the wonderful hostess Merri has promised homemade chili at the event this year, I wanted to bring something festive and tasty to share.

After browsing the internet for pumpkin-inspired breads, desserts, cheesecakes and more, I stumbled upon a recipe for Crumble Top Pumpkin Muffins and knew I had a winner.

Crumble Top Pumpkin Muffins

As if the crumbly streusel topping wasn’t reason enough to make these muffins, I have a box of Bisquick Heart Smart baking mix chillin’ in the pantry dying to be used in a delicious recipe. I think I found a winner!

Though the recipe calls for muffins, I decided to make a pumpkin loaf because I figured it would remain fresher than individual muffins might since we won’t be enjoying the loaf until tomorrow night.

Here are all the goodies required to make this bad boy:

Pumpkin Loaf Ingredients

Following the recipe (which I cut in half), I combined the Bisquick Heart Smart baking mix, oats, sugar and cinnamon in a large bowl. (I omitted the raisins because I didn’t have any on hand.)

Dry Mix

In a separate bowl, I combined the pumpkin pie mix and egg before stirring it into the oat mixture.

Pumpkin and Egg

Talk about easy-peasy! The loaf was nearly complete and I poured the batter into a lovely lil’ disposable loaf pan, so we may leave any remains with our wonderful hosts.

Lots of Batter

You Know I Licked That Bowl CLEAN

Yummy Batter

To create the streusel topping, I combined flour, sugar and cinnamon before slicing in the butter to make the mixture crumbly.

Streusel Topping, Pre-Crumbled

Crumbly Streusel

After topping the loaf with the streusel, I let it bake for approximately 35 minutes.

Pre-Cooked Pumpkin Loaf

The aroma was unbelievable. We could hardly resist having a slice when I pulled it out of the oven.

Done!

Since we’re saving it for tomorrow, I cannot speak on how it tastes, but if the batter and smell are any indication, I think we’ll be swapping Halloween high-fives! 🙂

Festive Fall Loaf

Crumble Top Pumpkin Muffins Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 cups all-purpose baking mix
• 1 cup raisins, (optional)
• 2/3 cup quick or old-fashioned oats
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 can (30 oz.) pumpkin pie mix
• 2 large eggs
• Streusel topping (recipe follows)

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 400° F. Paper-line or grease 24 muffin cups.

COMBINE baking mix, raisins, oats, sugar and cinnamon in large bowl. Combine pumpkin pie mix and eggs in medium bowl; mix well. Stir into oat mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, filling 3/4 full. Sprinkle with Streusel Topping.

BAKE for 14 to 16 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pans to wire rack; cool slightly. Serve warm.

Streusel Topping

COMBINE 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons granulated sugar and 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon in small bowl. Cut in 2 tablespoons butter with pastry blender or two knives until mixture is crumbly.

Makes 24 muffins with 180 calories each.

Cheesy Meatless Sammie

Sometimes several days will pass and I’ll think back on my meals and realize I’ve not consumed any meat. While I’m not a vegetarian, I do not typically crave meat and enjoy getting my protein from sources such as yogurt, cheese and peanut butter (of course).

Today’s lunch was a meatless sandwich, full of ooey-gooey cheese.

I first toasted a whole wheat Arnold’s sandwich thin before spreading one half with a Laughing Cow light Swiss cheese wedge and melting mozzarella cheese on the other half.

More Cheese for Me

I topped the cheesy bread with fresh spinach and a sliced plum tomato to complete my lil’ sammie.

Gettin' My Vegetables

Yum

Ready to Eat

I loved the contrast between the crisp bread, melted cheese and fresh, cool veggies. Very satisfying! I only wished I had a hot cup of soup to enjoy along with my sammie. Oh well!

Question: Are you a vegetarian? What are your favorite sources of protein?

Oats and a Lizard Hunt

I’m slowly getting over the fact that fall weather is still avoiding Florida. Though I stare longingly in my closet at my new boots that I have yet to wear every morning, I know the autumn air will come… eventually.

I Love You, Boots

While I wish I could wear a cute scarf or fuzzy sweater some days, I am grateful for the warmth because it makes my morning walk with Sadie much more enjoyable. Walking her with cold air whipping around my face = no fun.

This morning Sadie was in true crazy-dog mode, picking up each and every piece of trash, then looking at me as if to say “Look, Mom! A treasure!” I knew our normal 40 minute loop wouldn’t cut it today, so while I was preparing my breakfast, I let her out back to hunt for lizards.

"Ooooh lizards... Come out, come out wherever you are!"

"Stop taking my picture and come help me, Mom!"

She didn’t catch any lizards this morning. Next time, Sadie!

After a good workout and fun doggie play time, I was ready for mah breakfast! Hot oatmeal sounded perfect and since I’ve had a box of Kashi instant creamy vanilla oats sittin’ pretty in my pantry for months, I decided to prepare a packet.

Kashi Creamy Vanilla Oats

I dumped the dry mixture into my bowl, added water and microwaved it until I got a thick and creamy bowl of oats.

Dry Oats

Cooked Oats

I added a heaping spoonful of pumpkin mixed with a quarter of a scoop of cinnamon protein powder to the oats and stirred away.

Pumpkin and Cinnamon Protein Powder

Vanilla Oats Topped with Pumpkin

Pumpkin Swirl

Eventually I had a vibrant bowl of cinnamon vanilla pumpkin oats!

Cinnamon Vanilla Pumpkin Oats

Last night during our trip to Whole Foods, I picked up a box of Mighty Leaf chocolate mint truffle tea that was anxious to try this morning as part of my breakfast.

Box o' Tea

I love the intricate tea bags!

Beautiful Tea Bag

After admiring the wonderful craftsmanship on the tea bags, I got around to actually brewing a cup.

Hot Chocolate Mint Truffle Tea

My super-hot breakfast hit the spot!

Wednesday's Breakfast

Question: What’s your favorite kind of tea?