Pumpkin Apple Streusel Muffins

The time is finally here- it's the first chill of fall.   Not only did I pull out my favorite pair of Great Aunt Maxine's crocheted slippers (that pattern should make it up shortly), but I whipped Joe up a version meant to look more like loafers after finding out he was not blessed with a pair of slippers.  And then I started up on a new Mary Jane style for myself.  I'm also back to crocheting blankets that got left behind when it got too hot to work one in my lap.

But beyond the coziness of sweaters, lovingly knit blankets and slippers are my favorite tastes of fall.  Fresh picked apples, apple cider donuts, and of course, pumpkin.  Hot mulled apple cider with a pad of butter melted on top and ein schluck of rum or whiskey if you're lucky. Mmmmm I can't wait already.

Before fall had even arrived the Sydney who I made the gluten free pumpkin bread for last fall bestowed a pantry-full of food on Joe and I before moving back to California.  This very kind gift included a big can of pumpkin that is big enough that it hasn't made it off my counter so I've been giving it the stare down for a few weeks now.  And now that it is FINALLY cooling off, I'm ready to get into pumpkin season!

During my recipe quest I came across this gem.   Not only does it include pumpkin AND apple, but it's got a yummy streusel topping made with butter and brown sugar so it really can't get any better.  I even have half a dozen apples around that are a little too mealy for my taste, so baking them is my perfect solution!

Gluten-free Pumpkin Bundt Cake

As a student I have a massive procrastinating habit.  I've come to terms with it, and still getting everything in on time, so it doesn't bother me in the slightest.  When I'm in group projects, it's a whole different story- especially when my group members are friends.  So for this assignment everyone else spent 2-3 weeks on, I obviously devoted two solid days to, and got it in a whopping two hours before it was due. I felt bad about everyone else spending hours dutifully hunting down data that I just used without having to yell at the internet so I solved this problem with baking! As one of our members has the very sad condition of Celiac Disease (I would mourn the loss of bread/bagels daily), this baking project is gluten-free.  She also LOVES pumpkin- so this is right up her alley.

That said, I want to be clear that I RARELY bake without gluten and am not in any way an expert on this matter.  According to the World Wide Web, some people can't even have their food cooked with utensils that used flour in a previous life, so check with your food recipients on the seriousness of their condition before you give them a bad case of bowel grumpiness.