I kept my camera tucked away for most of this weekend. I spent the majority of the weekend out of town for a funeral for someone incredibly special to me. This person is not a part of my immediate family so I do not feel comfortable sharing much more than this on the blog, but he truly impacted my life in a way I will never begin to be able to adequately express.
Maybe one day I will find the words to convey what this person taught me because I feel like it needs to be shared, but right now every time I begin typing, I begin crying and my sentences trail off into nothing and I feel like everything I write feels hollow compared to how I feel.
I spent much of Sunday fighting tears but I also found joy in the day because if there is one thing this person taught me and everyone around him, it was that there was joy to be found in every single day, especially in the smallest of things. Writing is typically the one thing I can turn to that helps me work through my emotions and feelings but writing failed me on Sunday.
So I turned to baking. Zoning out in the kitchen, focusing on the simple pleasure of smelling warm, fluffy pumpkin muffins in the oven and cherishing the seemingly everyday moments with my family.
Most of the time, I rush through baking because I’m in a hurry to check something off my to do list, but yesterday, while Chase napped and a Carolina Panthers game played in the background, I streamed the Hamilton soundtrack and let myself slow down and enjoy making these whole wheat pumpkin muffins for my family.
Ever since I introduced Chase to my Whole Wheat Greek Yogurt Muffins, he became a bit of a muffin fanatic so I find myself baking muffins more often than ever before. These whole wheat pumpkin muffins are made with simple ingredients – a base of whole wheat flour, pumpkin puree and coconut oil – and were loved by everyone in our house. I jotted down this recipe a couple weeks ago when I had half of a can of pumpkin left on hand that needed to be used and hoped for the best as I played around in the kitchen. I adjusted it a little bit yesterday to reduce the sugar content and they went over well with everyone.
If you decide to make these whole wheat pumpkin muffins, I hope you will take a moment to sit down and enjoy them, preferably with someone you love very much.
Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins
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This recipe for Whole Wheat Pumpkin Muffins is made with simple ingredients that come together to make a dozen of the fluffiest and tastiest pumpkin muffins. Lower in sugar than many pumpkin muffin recipes, these whole wheat pumpkin muffins are kid-friendly and make a wonderful snack on a chilly autumn day.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/2 cup maple syrup (this may be increased a bit if you prefer a sweeter muffin)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup melted coconut oil (I love this coconut oil which always remains liquid – no melting required – and has no taste.)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a muffin tin with muffin liners.
- Mix all of the dry ingredients (whole wheat flour through pumpkin pie spice) in a large bowl.
- In a small bowl, combine pumpkin puree, eggs, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Pour in melted coconut oil and stir rapidly.
- Pour the pumpkin mixture into the whole wheat flour mixture and stir to combine.
- Scoop the batter into the muffin tins and bake for 22-26 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Allow to cool slightly and enjoy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 188
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 217mg
- Fat: 11g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
Keywords: BREAKFAST RECIPES, DAIRY-FREE, DESSERTS/SWEET TREATS, KID FRIENDLY RECIPES, RECIPES, SNACKS
More Pumpkin Recipes
- Pumpkin Spice Puppy Chow
- Pumpkin Cake Mix Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream
- Pumpkin Spice Bark
- Pumpkin Pie Spiced Pecans
- Pumpkin Oatmeal Muffins
- Pumpkin Protein Pancakes
Question of the Day
- When you are struggling with feeling sad or working through your emotions, what are some things you do to help make yourself feel better?
For me, it’s all about writing, reading, baking, taking Sadie for a walk and spending time with family.
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So sorry for your loss <3
Those muffins do look good! When I’m struggling, I take lots of walks and talk on the phone to my friends and family. xo
Same. Something about being outside is very helpful. <3
I’m so sorry for your lose Julie! I think just spending some quality time with Ryan and Chase this week would be the best way to make yourself feel better. Go do something new, cook or bake a new recipe, or print or hang some new photos you love around the house.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Usually getting out of the house helps me. Taking a walk, going on a run or even running errands to focus my mind.
So sorry for your loss. I usually take a bubble bath with a glass of wine.
Hope chase enjoys Halloween and those delicious looking muffins.
I’m so sorry to hear that, Julie! I think that time with loved ones and time doing things I love help when I’m going through hard times.
Thanks for sharing these muffins. It looks delicious!
So sorry for your loss, Julie. Enjoy the little moments with your family this week!
I have been following your friend’s story on FB and my heart aches for them. Sending so many love and prayers their way, and yours too!
Thank you, Christina. They are the most incredible family and I so appreciate the prayers for them. <3
I also had been following your friend’s story. It is truly heartbreaking. Prayers and thoughts with the family and all whose heart he touched.
Thank you, Jenna. He truly touched SO many people — even those who never knew him. I appreciate the prayers for his amazing family.
Same here. I’m focusing on loved ones today.
This may sound weird, but cleaning always relaxes me when I’m feeling anxious or emotional. It’s a nice distraction because the mundane act of organizing your things is comforting and being productive also feels great! I’m so sorry for your loss. Hope you feel better soon!
So sorry for the passing of your friend, Julie. I just want to restate that you owe us no explanation when you’re experiencing big real life events that you may or may not want to share the details of on the internet. It’s entirely your choice what you share and I hope no one on here makes you feel bad for what you do or don’t tell us. And I can’t wait to make these muffins for my 2 year old! He’ll flip out :).
Totally agree! So sorry for your loss, Julie.
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. When I’m upset or emotional, I find that cleaning and getting outside make a big difference for me. Something about being outdoors helps you be appreciative of all the little things that make life so great.
Sorry for your loss, thinking of you during these difficult times. Never easy to lose anyone regardless of their relationship to you. Take care.
I am SO sorry for your loss. It sounds like it was someone incredibly special to you, and that their message of enjoying everyday will be felt for generations to come. Sending good thoughts and prayers your way.
When I’m down, I typically get some fresh air or head to church. The time with the Big Man tends to help me out a lot.
I hope that you have an enjoyable Halloween with the family!
XO, Jessica
http://www.semisweettooth.com
I love all things pumpkin! Happy Halloween!
🙁 A walk always helps me…my head becomes clearer and I feel more in check with my emotions. Follow that up with a large glass of wine and a snack. 🙂 Sending love and light!
Julie,
So very sorry for your loss. I am sure your friend was very proud of you. You bring a lot of joy to your readers.
Julie, I’m so sorry for your loss.
I am so sorry for your loss! My Grandma Dottie passed last Wednesday. She was one of my very best friends, and I miss her so, so much. Remembering that you had also lost your grandmother not too long ago, I actually reread your post, “Dear Mimi.” I think it helps to know that you’re not alone in your grief.
In honor of Dottie, yesterday I took my 10-month-old daughter to the dollar store, which was always one of my favorite pastimes with Dottie. Together, Emma and I walked up and down each aisle, giggling at all the silly merchandise as I told her stories about her Great Grandma Dottie. It felt good to get out of the house, and it reminded me (as you mentioned in your post), there is joy to be found in every single day, especially in the smallest of things.
I am so sorry for the loss of your Grandma Dottie, Erica. <3 It sounds like she was such a wonderful person. I love that you were able to do something joyful with your daughter and remember your grandmother in those sweet moments. Thank you for sharing this with me. Thinking of you!
So sorry for your loss! Baking really is a great way to take your mind off of things. I hope you’re able to feel better in a few days, grieving is tough business!
Julie, I’m so sorry to hear about your loss!
When I feel down, I like to go for a walk, run, clean the house, or cook/bake.
Praying for you and the family!
I also followed your friend’s progress on FB. I am so sorry for you and for their family. My heart aches for them. Hold on tight to your little family. I pray that they and you find strength and always carry the memory of him. It just sucks and life is so unfair at time.
It really is. It’s amazing how many people he touched. He was such an incredibly special person. The entire family is truly so wonderful and I hate this so much for them. Thank you for thinking of them and for following their journey. <3
So sorry to hear of your loss, Julie. Sending positive thoughts and strength to their family and yours.
LOVE These muffins! Made them today and they are perfect! So sorry to hear about your loss =( Getting out and going for a run always makes me feel better. Hopefully time will heal. Until then hang in there and Ill be praying for you, your family, and the family of your friend!
I’m so sorry for your loss Julie. Sending you and his family lots of prayers and good thoughts. I’m not a fan of coconut oil, is there some sort of substitution I would be able to make?
Julie, thank you for an honest post. I’m so sorry for the loss of your friend and how many are grieving because of it. I am glad you were able to bake and I hope you take the time you need as you continue to grieve. Grateful for you and all the effort you put into the blog.
I too had never met this person but also followed the family’s story on FB. It’s truly gut-wrenching and unfair. My thoughts and prayers are being sent to the family and everyone that was touched by this loss.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Julie. Getting creative in the kitchen definitely brings me to a better place when I’m having a hard time. And a good walk outside, venting to a friend, or a sweat session does wonders, as well.
I’m so sorry for your loss, Julie. Hug your sweet family tightly today. Thinking of you. xoxoxo
Blowing bubbles helps me take deep breaths. As the bubbles pop, imagine those negative feelings disappearing too. Sending good thoughts and hugs your way!
I’m so sorry for your loss Julie! Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. <3 For me, baking is THERAPY. I always turn to my kitchen whenever I'm having a bad day, it's amazing how powerful cooking or baking can be! Since I'm a dancer, I also like to turn on some music and improvise my bad thoughts away. That always helps too. 🙂
So sorry for your loss, Julie. Sending you lots of love and light and just the right support at just the right time, whenever you need it. <3 xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
I’m sorry for your loss Julie ?
I’m so very sorry for the loss of your friend. After following their story, my heart broke in two and tears were shed when I read about his passing. I’m praying for all that loved him, especially his parents. Honestly, how does one put into words how much he touched everyone. It’s impossible, I’m sure!!
Julie, your blog is a joy to read because of the kindness reflected in your writing. I’m so sorry about your loss. Thanks for still taking the time to share with us.
Still thinking of you and the family of the person lost <3 I, too, was following the story online and can relate all too well to the story as something similar happened with a cousin of mine. Hoping the power of prayers can bring a little comfort to all in this incredibly sad time.
Hi Julie – Just made your muffins and they taste fantastic! I went to import your recipe into My Fitness Pal, and it showed eggs included in the recipe. I hadn’t added eggs to my muffins! I checked back, and your methodology doesn’t include eggs (they are just noted in the ingredients list). I assume they would be whisked into the pumpkin mix with the rest of the wet ingredients? Nevermind, they still taste great and will be perfect for my 2 year old. Thanks!
yes!! i’m so sorry! i’ll update the post now!
Thanks Julie. I made these muffins, but used oat flour instead of whole wheat as I am gluten free. I also added a scoop of vanilla protein powder and some chocolate chips – mini. They are the best muffins I have ever made gluten free!!! This recipe will be one I will use many times. Have a great weekend!
So sorry for your loss!
simple and delicious! looks like a great healthy recipe! I’m sorry for your loss, I recently attended a funeral and it was hard to find the right words on the blog so I totally understand!
This is one of the ONLY recipe I have found on the Internet for baked goods that is actually good. Every single recipe i’ve tried off Internet at random which says it had great reviews either had disgusting amount of sugar or butter, or not enough baking soda/baking powder. Thank you for this amazing recipe it’s going in the books!
Hi Julie,
What would you recommend if I don’t have pumpkin pie spice? Nutmeg?
Thank you 🙂
I have been making these for my now 16 month old son for months now! So good to freeze too. I wanted to share with you a variation y’all may love too! I used Peanut Butter Crunch Kodiak Cakes instead of the flour, salt, and baking soda and my son and I love them! I am not sure if Chase loves pb like you but worth a try!
Any suggestions for a coconut oil substitute?? allergies are the worst 🙁 Thanks!
You may not see this today — off sighing relief (and excitement) that the news is out about your pregnancy! Congrats!!! — but in case you do, what are your thoughts on subbing sweet potato instead of pumpkin?? Maybe just add extra spices to spruce it up a bit? Thanks, Julie! 🙂
Just made these muffins today, very good! And I think my toddler will enjoy one after her nap.
What kind of maple syrup do you use? Thanks!
Can you use oat flour instead of whole wheat?
how would you change the temperature and/or cooking time to make these as mini muffins instead? thanks!