Welcome Home Pumpkin Muffins

It has been many years since I used a cake mix.  To me, they all had an odd taste and I didn't care much for the texture.  I've heard they've greatly improved.  I'm still not tempted.  However, that doesn't include the Williams-Sonoma Spiced Pumpkin Quick Bread.  To be honest, I had passed this up as well until one day my friend Sheila came down for a visit and brought me the mix.  She declared it delicious!  Knowing her prowess in the kitchen, I had no doubt that it would be delicious.  It was and is.

This leads me to share with you my foiled plan to prepare a nice treat for our friends who were returning from vacation last week.  I knew they'd appreciate finding something for a late arrival treat  or for breakfast the next morning.  When gathering what was needed to make a coffee cake, I realized that both my baking powder and baking soda was out of date.  It was cold outside.  I wasn't in the mood to make a trip to the grocery store.  I spied the cheerful bag of quick bread mix in the pantry and decided it was my solution.  I followed the directions on the package for muffins.  I dressed them up with a half cup each of diced orange peel and diced dates.  Just before popping them into the oven, I sprinkled the tops with sparkling sugar.

Delicious!

ENJOY!