I had to share!!! This week's try-it...

The day started off rainy and grey...again! The sound of chainsaws started in our neighborhood about 8AM! Yesterdays wind storm has left quite a bit o work to be done. Only God can replenish the earth in the middle of a drought and "stimulate the economy" with just a few storms. The neighborhood is full of power and light trucks, cable vans, tree companies and roofing contractors.

I decided to take the morning and do some cooking to get ahead of the game. One casserole baked, another's filling is ready to go, roast in the crock pot (and it is a beautiful one if I say so myself) and a whole chicken waiting on some fresh rosemary from my friend Erin's yard. I thought some baking may be in order. I hopped on the good ol' web to find a chocolate zucchini muffin recipe. What I came across was EVEN BETTER! This recipe is what made me so excited to do this post!!!! I am actually supposed to be folding 6 loads of laundry...instead I am here...sharing this little treasure with you!

I came across a two ingredient muffin recipe on www.reipezaar.com . Immediately I set to work and under 10 minutes these babies were in the oven and my imagination was going wild!

This recipe is for Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins. I know, a little out of season for pumpkin, but hear me out. With only two ingredients, these muffins will prove to be very versatile and very good. This is the original recipe from www.recipezaar.com ... I'll follow with my takes on it!

Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins

1 box chocolate cake mix (an kind)
1 (15 oz) can of pumpkin

Mix well and divide into muffin cups. Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes.

So, what would make these so great? Well, first off I think being able to use different cake mixes for different flavorings!

White/yellow cake - add 1-2 tablespoons orange zest to batter and top with OJ & powdered sugar glaze (orange will bring a brightness and freshness to it, great for this time of year)

Chocolate/devil's food - add one hershey's kiss tot he middle of each muffin for a special surprise or add some cherry pie filling

Spice cake - nuff said...come fall these will be just the thing to go with your hay ride and hot cider

Second, things like pumpkin, sweet potato, butternut squash are all foods most of us only consume rarely. Why not take advantage of these nutritionally packed babies all year?

Next, for busy people on the go you can't beat how simple it is! If you know someone who is sick, just had a baby or surgery or maybe at the last minute you get invited to a party or brunch, these muffins will be a snap to make and a big hit!

Lastly, for people with food allergies like me, this recipe is great! If you cannot tolerate eggs (like me) this is a great egg free way to still have baked goods. If you have trouble with gluten, many health food stores carry brands like Bob's Red Mill and other gluten free mixes for cakes, breads, etc. I challenge my friend Amber to try this with a gluten free cake mix and tell me how it comes out!

I hope you'll give this recipe a try soon. Maybe surprise someone who needs a little pick me up by showing up with a plate full of these chocolate delights!