Maple Chai Spiced Pepitas Food

SPICED PEPITAS AND PECANS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl, beat the egg whites and water until frothy. In a small bowl, combine the sugar, cinnamon, allspice, cumin, salt and cayenne. Stir the sugar mixture into the egg whites, then add the pepitas and pecans. Toss until the nuts are completely coated.
• Evenly spread the nuts on the prepared baking sheet. Bake 20 to 30 minutes, until crispy. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

CHAI-SPICED COFFEE CAKE MUFFINS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Make the topping: In a medium bowl, mix the flour with the oats, brown sugar, chai, and salt. With your hands, rub the butter into the mixture until incorporated, pressing it into small clumps. Freeze until chilled, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the batter: Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper or foil liners. In another medium bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the 1 stick of butter with the granulated sugar and chai at medium speed until fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then beat in the sour cream and vanilla. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then gradually add the dry ingredients and beat until just incorporated.
• Using a 3- to 4-tablespoon ice cream scoop, scoop the batter into the prepared muffin cups; top with the chilled topping. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Transfer the muffins to a wire rack to cool. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.

MAPLE-CHAI PUMPKIN MUFFINS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325°. In a large bowl, whisk the first 8 ingredients. In another bowl, whisk eggs, pumpkin, syrup, coconut oil, milk and vanilla until blended. Add to flour mixture; stir just until moistened. Fold in 1/3 cup pepitas. , Fill greased or foil-lined muffin muffin cups three-fourths full. Sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon pepitas. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Cool 5 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack. Serve warm., Freeze option: Freeze cooled muffins in freezer containers. To use, thaw at room temperature or, if desired, microwave each muffin on high until heated through, 20-30 seconds.