CREAM CHEESE FILLING:
4 oz cream cheese, softened
2 Tbsp packed brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp maple flavoring
MUFFINS:
2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup solid pack pumpkin
3/4 cup evaporated milk
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 tsp maple flavoring Nut topping (recipe follows)
FOR CREAM CHEESE FILLING:
COMBINE cream cheese, brown sugar and maple flavoring in small bowl until blended.
FOR MUFFINS:
COMBINE flour, brown sugar, walnuts, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Combine eggs, pumpkin, evaporated milk, oil and maple flavoring; mix well. Add pumpkin mixture to flour mixture, mixing just until blended.
SPOON into 12 greased or paper-lined muffin cups (cups will be very full). Dollop 1 heaping tsp of Cream Cheese Filling into center of each cup, pressing into batter slightly. Sprinkle Nut Topping over muffins.
BAKE in preheated 400 degree F oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan for 5 minutes; remove to wire rack to cool completely.
Makes 12 muffins
NUT TOPPING:
Combine 2 Tbsp packed brown sugar and 1/4 cup chopped walnuts in small bowl.
