Dec
8
2011

Purely Paleo Pumpkin Muffins

17 comments

I remember when the very first Starbucks opened in my town. I was a senior in high school and loved going into the shop to smell the freshly brewed coffee and look upon the piles of sweet baked goods sitting in the glass case.

The thing I loved most about this holiday time of year, and the opening of a “big name” coffee shop, were the holiday spiced muffins and scones and breads. Oh yeah, sugar, sugar, and more refined sugar. Oh, and gluten. But that was when not gaining weight was easy… or was it because I was 17, had a huge issue with an eating disorder, and if I ate it, I would quickly negate it?

Nonetheless, it’s been years since I’ve picked a baked good out of any shop and I don’t miss them one bit!

And yes, that is a lie. No, I certainly don’t miss the sugar-filled cake-like wonders of diabetes-waiting-to-happen (ok, one won’t hurt anyone, but I believe they load those things with crack so you’ll keep coming back for more…). I do, however, love myself a spiced, cinnamony, warm and fresh out of the oven muffin now and again. And just because I want to be healthy doesn’t mean I can’t have one!

No Sir! … Ma’am.

Here’s a muffin that isn’t sugary, starchy or devoid of nutrients. These muffins are rich in beta-carotene, contain high quality protein, and aren’t swimming in sugar. The delicately sweet flavor will satisfy and have you coming back for more (from my blog)!

Just for fun, let’s view the nutritional content, shall we?

TWO Paleo Pumpkin Muffin equals: 142 calories, 4g fat, 21g carbohydrate, 13g sugar, 7g fiber, and 7g protein.

One Starbucks Pumpkin Bread equals: 390 calories, 14g fat, 61g carbohydrates, 38g sugar, 2g fiber, 6g protein.

Clearly we have a winner. You could eat half this recipe and still get more nutrients in (and far better kind of sugar) than one baked coffee shop good.

This recipe could even be included in Tuesday’s Paleo Breakfast Ideas!

Do you remember the first Starbucks in your area? I don’t mean the 5th or 6th one, just the first.

What is your favorite type/kind of baked good?

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{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }

amy@healthyhungryhappy.com December 8, 2011 at 9:59 AM

looks great!! im always looking for baking recipes that dont have a TON of sugar in them. im seeing banana a lot….must be a good sub for sugar? thanks for the recipe!
´s last [type] ..The Skier’s Workout

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Lori December 10, 2011 at 7:21 AM

Banana is definitely a great sub in baking for moist-factor and sweetener. Also a bit of a binder, too. Pumpkin or zucchini is great, too.

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Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table December 8, 2011 at 10:18 AM

I don’t remember the first store, but I DO remember being shocked at the calorie and sugar content in the Starbucks muffins. I make my own low cal and low sugar muffins to have for breakfast now. Yours looks like a good one to try next!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table´s last [type] ..Chef Cindi Avila Lives the Lightlife

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Lori December 10, 2011 at 7:20 AM

Hmmm… I’m going to have to stalk your site for a while to get some of your recipes!

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Chef Katelyn December 8, 2011 at 10:54 AM

Ahhhh yum! I’m a fan. I woves de punkin.

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Jen@FoodFamilyFitness December 8, 2011 at 12:04 PM

Wow. Love the nutritional stats!!! They look delicious as well :)
We have one starbuck’s in our city and it opened just a few years ago.
Jen@FoodFamilyFitness´s last [type] ..Mama Pea’s Crack Wrap

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tea-bagginit December 8, 2011 at 9:21 PM

wow, seeing those nutritional stats stacked up next together is really eye opening! i haven’t had a store bought, “traditional” muffin in years and i honestly don’t miss them. fresh baked white bread, that i miss but i’ve always been able to resist muffins & other pastries!

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Lori December 10, 2011 at 7:20 AM

As long as you make your own, you’re golden. EVEN if you use white flour and sugar. Homemade is always better for you, I feel. :)

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Chuck December 8, 2011 at 11:06 PM

Yum! As always, lol. I have a couple new recipes for paleo energy cookies and bites for my mid workouts that I can’t wait to try, but I need to get some shredded coconut.

Is the nutritional information based on the 18 muffin or 12 muffin recipe?
Chuck´s last [type] ..‘Tis the season for giving

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Lori December 10, 2011 at 7:19 AM

Oops! The nutritional value is based on 12 muffins- so if you made 18 they’d be even less of everything. They’re pretty awesome in the nutritional value department!

I can’t wait to see your recipes! let me know when you post/try them. :)

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Christin@purplebirdblog December 9, 2011 at 9:33 AM

I have some cute little silicone baking cups that are just begging to have these inside them! *giggle* ;)
Christin@purplebirdblog´s last [type] ..WIAW: F and Eleventy Billion

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Lori December 10, 2011 at 7:17 AM

Great! You let me know if you make them!

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Pure2raw twins December 9, 2011 at 7:55 PM

YUM! you know we love our pumpkin :)
Pure2raw twins´s last [type] ..pumpkin chia seed chocolate chip cookies

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Lori December 10, 2011 at 7:16 AM

And I love all of YOUR pumpkin recipes! I need to make more of them!

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Alisa December 9, 2011 at 9:36 PM

Ha, I feel so old! Starbucks wasn’t around (or at least not a mass chain) when I was in high school! Honestly, since I never drank coffee, and just started drinking tea about ten years ago, I don’t even recall when the coffee shops started popping up!

Those muffins look heavenly Lori. I definitely need to bake this weekend!
Alisa´s last [type] ..A Dozen of the Best Dairy-Free Cookie Recipes for the Holidays

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Lori December 10, 2011 at 7:15 AM

You may feel old but you certainly ARE NOT old… at least you don’t look old. lol But it’s so weird how some businesses or things can just become completely normal in “everyday life” so quickly!

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Alex Boake December 21, 2011 at 1:04 PM

I haven’t really done much baking since I went primal/paleo, but the cold weather reminds me of when I used to be baking lots of cinnamon-packed goodies. This looks like a fantastic and nutritious alternative to (even homemade) refined sugar-filled, cinnamon-y gluten-bombs! Yum.
Alex Boake´s last [type] ..Sausage and Red Pepper Tomato Sauce

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