Hi Everyone! Ranger and I are getting ready to drive down to North Carolina this week to visit my Grandma! Grandma hasn’t met Ranger before (only over FaceTime), so this is a pretty exciting trip! Unfortunately though, what is already a 13hr drive (without a puppy) is going to most likely end up being 14+. Great… Hey! Seeing my Grandma and spending a week at the beach is worth it though! And if you’re currently wondering- why don’t I just fly down to NC, great question! It’s not an option. You can only charter a plane to the island my Grandma lives on (translation- very expensive).

Yesterday, Ranger and I were so inspired by the perfect fall day we had in CT that we decided to bake pumpkin muffins! What a great decision- these turned out amazing! On our last trip to Trader Joes I saw the boxed mix right as we were about to leave, and now wish I’d grabbed 4-5 boxes! These muffins are really that good. (And yes I snuck Ranger into Trader Joes with me…not about to leave my baby girl in the car!)

Obviously to make these bad boys all you’re going to have to do is mix all the ingredients together, however, be sure you’re “folding” the ingredients together (2 eggs, 1 cup water, 1/2 cup oil) rather than mixing. I used a rubber spatula and it worked perfectly. They turned out super light and fluffy rather than being hard and dense. Over-mixing your baked goods is one of easiest crimes, and worst in my opinion! Who wants to bite into a dense cupcake? Not me!

One last thing before you go! I wanted to share a Style Inherited Baking Tip: 

Ever want to make muffins or cupcakes, get all the ingredients out make them, start making the batter, just to realize you don’t have any muffin tins? Then you’re left with one choice- turn it into a cake or loaf of bread, or spray that cupcake pan with all the PAM you have to try to prevent your treats from sticking. I feel like I always go with the latter option and then instantly regret it the moment I realize all my cupcakes are stuck to the pan! UGH.

Anyway! I’ve finally outsmarted the system. Kinda. I am an avid Home Goods shopper. It’s my happy place and I’m not embarrassed to say that. Every time I find myself in Home Goods I make a point of throwing a box of muffin tins in my cart. The have the cutest patterns and style muffin tins at such affordable prices! I currently have a nice little collection of tins in one of my kitchen draws and I love it! For the first time in my life I have options for what to put my muffins/cupcakes in and they’re not those ugly, boring silver or pastel liners. Ever since I’ve started doing this I’ve never found myself without cupcake tins! So yay for the little victories!

Alright, that’s it for now. See ya Wednesday!

With Love From Greenwich,

Helen and Ranger

My two favorite muffins! Get it?