Instead of a Pumpkin Donut...

...try one of these muffins. I made mine in a mini-bundt muffin pan so they'd have a donut shape and they are a substitute that satisfies me. Now if I could only drink some warm apple cider along with it. Oh well, you can't have everything! I only allow myself one drink w/meal per week and that is one weekend breakfast and a 3 oz. cup of coffee. That is my 'treat' to myself. Here's the recipe link: http://recipes.sparkpeople.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe=145049 Molly

Sounds great Molly! Stupid question time.. do u think I could substitute vanilla protein powder for the 1/2 cup of oat powder to boost that value up a bit? I realize it will also increase the cals some. If not it sounds yummy no matter what and I wanna try these for sure! Great job!!! Do you think frosting would be good on them too? Btw.. they make a sugar free apple cider, I bought some but haven't tried it, have you? 15 cals!

Melissa, the original recipe called for 1 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour (it was another Sparkpeople recipe) and seemed way too high in carbs so I subbed out with the oat flour. I think you could sub the protein poweder and it would just be a softer texture. It is already very moist so maybe cut down on the milk a little too the first time. And I do think the frosting would be good on them! This morning I had one for breakfast along with a serving of egg substitute so the two filled me up with no room for the frosting. Also made a batch of bran muffins today and will have one later on maybe or may wait for tomorrow at work. They smell very good! This weather has me going baking-crazy again. I've seen the Alpine spiced cider packets in sugar free but they are aspartame products. When I want apple cider I just use the bottled unsweetened juice and microwave it. Not as convenient but you can add your own spices or not. Hope work went well last night and goes well again tonight. Have a good one! Hugs! Molly

Do you not do aspartame? Gosh I wouldn't be able to eat anything if I didn't.. I know people worry about cancer and stuff but my gosh I would be so limited without it. I do like splenda best though for that reason. Heading off to work.. had a great night last night and want to repeat that tonight! You also have a good night!

No asartame for me because it brings on a migraine within about two hours...not worth it! What really sucks is that there are NO diet pudding mixes without it. Do you know how many recipes use diet pudding mixes? Tons! I keep hoping that someday soon there will be a competitor to the Jell-o line that will have sf puddings made with splenda. So far all I've found is two different mousse pudding mixes with splenda but they aren't something that I'd want to use very often. ($$$) Molly

Oh Molly that stinks, at least there is Splenda and its getting more and more popular for stuff. Do you like crystal light? Did you know that the premade stuff is splenda? Weird huh? it is good but of course more expensive to buy it that way but thought I would pass it along. I am making PK's pumpkin muffins tomorrow.. have you tried them yet and if you did how were they? looking forward to it. My project for when I crawl out of bed. ;) Have a good night. (just checking in quicky from work, having another great night, *knock on wood*)

Yes, I tried them and they are delicious! I waaaay overcooked mine so when this batch is done I'll do it again and watch the time more carefully. She has posted this so many times that I really don't know when I printed out the recipe but the baking details on my copy are for the pie and are too long for when you make it as muffins. You'll love this recipe! Now that I think about it, I think I will go outside and bring a few of them in to defrost for this week. I love having legal treats in the freezer! Molly

I made them and took off 10-15 mins of the cooking time.. good point it was a bit long for me too esp since I have a gas stove!