It’s just not autumn without pumpkin, right? These whole wheat muffins pack plenty of the orange squash inside and get a second dose with a sprinkle of green pumpkin seeds on top; orange juice and orange zest add an extra layer of bright flavor. Try toasting the muffins and spreading them with cream cheese for a quick, wholesome breakfast you can hand to your child as she heads out the door.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°. Lightly grease a standard muffin tin with safflower oil.

In a medium bowl, add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt. Whisk well to combine and set aside.

In a large bowl or stand mixer, mix the oil and sugar until thoroughly combined, about 1 minute. Add the flaxseed mixture and mix 1 minute more. Add the pumpkin, orange juice, vanilla, and orange and mix for one more minute.

Add a third of the flour mixture to the wet ingredients and mix until combined. Repeat twice more with the remaining flour until the batter just comes together.

Use a standard ice cream scoop or 1/3-cup measure to scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tin. Top each muffin with a few pumpkin seeds and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin comes out clean. Allow to cool before serving; leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.