Pumpkin Mini-Muffins with Maple Frosting (gluten free)

A few weeks ago, I jokingly updated my Facebook status stating that I was going to start a food blog. A few friends encouraged me to try guest blogs. Ultimately, I realized that blogging my gluten free trials and errors organized my recipes for me. So, despite my early reticence, I’m giving blogging a try.

It’s fall. That means pumpkin, apples, squash… At this point, I’m likely to leave main dishes to better cooks. I did, however, go crazy for pumpkin recipes.

My first try were these pumpkin bars. Truly, a great jumping off point… Except. There’s always an “except” for me. I don’t like agave. I much prefer maple syrup or honey to sweeten. I also think that recipes with agave tend to be a bit less sweet than my dear husband prefers. I tweaked a little (okay, a lot) and used a muffin tin instead of a baking dish.

Here’s my update:

Pumpkin Mini-Muffin Bars (Paleo, gluten free)

2/3 c pumpkin (yes, from a can. I don’t prep my own pumpkin…)
1/3 c apple sauce (unsweetened)
1/3 c date sugar (you could use coconut sugar)
1/3 c honey (or maple syrup)
2 eggs
1/3 c coconut flour
2 t pumpkin pie spice
A pinch of salt
1/2 t baking soda

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Mix in one dish the pumpkin, honey, eggs, and applesauce. Set it aside.

In another dish, combine the remaining ingredients. I like to sift coconut flour and date sugar to remove clumps.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until combined.

Scoop about 2T into each space in a mini muffin pan. (My batch made 23.)

Bake for 16-20 minutes.

This is the result:

Lovely, moist, delicious little bites of pumpkin-y goodness.

Except. I mentioned there’s always an “except” with me, right?

I thought they needed frosting.

Maple Frosting (vegan)

1 (8 T) stick of vegan earth balance spread
1/4 c coconut oil
1/4 c maple syrup
About 2 cups of powdered sugar (add to texture)

Mix the butter spread, coconut oil and maple syrup until well blended. Stir in powdered sugar until frosting consistency.

Ah! So much better!