PUMPKIN MUFFINS WITH STREUSEL & CREAM CHEESE GLAZE

Pumpkin Muffins With Streusel & Cream Cheese Glaze image

Provided by Lindsay V

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 26

FOR THE MUFFINS:
1 c all-purpose flour
3/4 c whole wheat flour
1 c sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp pumpkin pie spices
1/2 can(s) pumpkin (15 oz can)
1 egg
1/2 c buttermilk
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/8 c canola oil
1/8 c unsweetend apple sauce
FOR THE STREUSEL:
2 Tbsp granulated sugar
3 Tbsp brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
4 Tbsp butter, melted
1/2 c plus 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
FOR THE CREAM CHEESE GLAZE:
3 Tbsp cream cheese, softened
3 Tbsp confectioners' sugar (may need more or less)
2 Tbsp milk (may need more or less)
dash of vanilla

Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 12 tin muffin pan with liners.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flours, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, combine pumpkin, egg, canola oil, applesauce, buttermilk, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
4. Gradually incorporate the dry into the wet ingredients in batches. Be sure NOT to overmix! Overmixing results in dry muffins. You should still have a slightly lumpy batter, as seen in the above photo.
5. Fill each muffin liner 3/4 of the way full.
6. Now, prepare your streusel. Combine sugars, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a small bowl. Add in melted butter and then add flour in batches - working the mixture with your hands until all is incorporated. The end result should be crumbly.
7. Add streusel evenly over unbaked muffins.
8. Bake for 23 - 25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow muffins to cool completely.
9. To prepare the glaze: beat softened cream cheese with confectioners' sugar and vanilla. Add milk, one Tbsp at a time, until the right consistency is achieved.
10. Using a spoon, drizzle evenly over cooled muffins. Refrigerate to retain freshness if not serving right away.
11. Note: If you're concerned about the extra calories in the toppings, you can make the muffins "naked". They are actually quite healthy and clock in at less than 200 calories a serving. But, in my (muffin) opinion: Go Streusel or Go Home!