Joan Mondale's Pumpkin Muffins

Joan Mondale’s Pumpkin Muffins

This is the Joan Mondale, First Lady to Governor Mondale, and her pumpkin muffin/bread recipe.  What I like best about this recipe is the equal amounts of blended spices with the pumpkin.  These muffins and breads bake up with a homey aroma and a tender consistency. I often double the recipe to have plenty for breakfast, snacks, tea and company.

1 2/3 cups flour

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon each cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves

2 eggs

1/2 cup canola oil

1 cup (8 ounces) canned pumpkin

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup nuts, chopped, toasted

1/2 cup raisins

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and all the spices.  In a second bowl, combine the eggs, oil, pumpkin and water.  Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and blend together well.  Stir in the nuts and raisins. Pour the batter into sprayed muffin tins or loaf pans. Bake at 325 for 15 minutes in mini-muffins pans, for 30 minutes in regular muffin pans, for 30 minutes in small loaf pans, or 11/4 hours in a large loaf pan.  To insure the pumpkin mixture is baked through, test by inserting a toothpick in the center that comes out clean.