Pumpkin Muffins, Falling Leaves & a Little Help from Nutmeg the Squirrel

There’s just something about fall.

The first cool mornings. Leaves beginning to turn shades of red, gold and orange. Pumpkins showing up on porches. The smell of cinnamon drifting through the kitchen. And suddenly, everybody seems ready to slow down just a little and enjoy the season.

Around here, fall also means one very important thing: Pumpkin Walnut Granola is back.

Of course, most people assume we’re the ones making it.

That’s what Nutmeg would like you to believe.

Meet Nutmeg, Our Official Granola-Making Squirrel

Every autumn, Nutmeg the squirrel puts on his favorite hat and scarf and gets to work.

He gathers the pumpkin, harvests the walnuts, rounds up just the right combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and ginger, and somehow manages to turn it all into our crunchy, cozy Pumpkin Walnut Granola.

We’ve asked him repeatedly how he does it.

He refuses to share the recipe.

Apparently squirrels can be very protective of their trade secrets.

Fortunately, Nutmeg is a little more generous when it comes to one of our favorite fall treats: Pumpkin Walnut Muffins.

A Free Fall Recipe for the Whole Family

We’re sharing Nutmeg’s Pumpkin Walnut Muffin recipe FREE this fall because some recipes are just too good to keep to yourself.

These muffins are everything you want this time of year: warm, pumpkiny, lightly spiced and topped with a generous sprinkle of Pumpkin Walnut Granola for a delicious little crunch.

They’re also a great excuse to get everyone into the kitchen.

In our house, the best family traditions aren’t complicated. They’re simply the things everyone remembers doing together.

When my kids were small, I would let them measure the ingredients. Now that they're grown, I still give somebody the very important job of sprinkling granola on top. We often make a second batch for a neighbor or friend. My favorite thing is to pour a cup of coffee or hot cocoa while they bake and enjoy the way the whole house suddenly smells like fall.

Make a Fall Day of It

While your own muffins are in the oven, perhaps head outside and see what autumn has been up to. Around our house, we love to take a walk and collect colorful leaves or enjoy our own backyard as summer drifts away. I used to let the kids choose their favorite leaves and press them between the pages of a heavy book. 

Then we would come back inside to warm Pumpkin Walnut Muffins.

That sounds like a pretty good fall afternoon to me.

Don’t Stop at Muffins

Pumpkin Walnut Granola is also wonderful sprinkled over yogurt, hot oatmeal or baked apples. Add a handful to a fall charcuterie board, serve it with salads – or simply eat it straight from the bag.

No judgment here.

Nutmeg does it too.

Nutmeg’s FREE Pumpkin Walnut Muffin Recipe

So grab a bag of White Rock's Pumpkin Walnut Granola and make a little fall memory of your own.

Because this season goes by much too quickly.

Enjoy the changing leaves. Enjoy the cooler weather. Enjoy a kitchen full of people you love.

And if a suspiciously well-dressed squirrel happens to appear near the kitchen window, you might want to guard the baked goods.

But most importantly...

Enjoy the good stuff. 🍂🐿️

– Andrea 🎃

Click here to watch our fun Instagram video about Nutmeg, the Squirrel. Also watch for White Rock Granola and Snackola at the State Fair of Texas – GO TEXAN 🇨🇱 Pavillion, thru Oct. 18!