Pumpkin Pecan Muffins

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup pumpkin puree
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 cup milk
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2 cups all-purpose flour

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the flour. Beat until well blended. Slowly add flour while continuing to mix. Do not over mix. 

In a lightly greased or lined muffin pan, spoon in batter to 2/3 full.

Bake at 350F for 20 minutes or until golden and inserted toothpick comes out clean.  Cool completely.

OPTIONAL TOPPING:

1/4 cup butter, cubed
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup pecans, chopped
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

In a small bowl, combine everything. Using a pastry blender or two knives ‘cut’ ingredients to mix until crumbly. Sprinkle over batter before baking.