Pumpkin Nutella Swirl Muffins with Pumpkin Spice Crumble Topping

October is right around the corner and I find myself becoming more and more aware that the baby’s due date is also right around the corner. As I entered into the seventh month of pregnancy, I couldn’t help but think of just how quickly the time has passed. It feels like just yesterday we found out that I was pregnant. Now, as I enter into the third trimester, I sit here and think about all of the firsts that my husband and I have experienced together throughout this entire transitional period.

From getting a positive sign on the pregnancy test to going to our first doctor visit, from seeing our baby grow week to week on the sonograms to hearing the baby’s heartbeat, from having a flat tummy to watching the baby bump grow — this whole experience has started to open our eyes to parenthood and what’s to come.

Now that the “we’re having a baby” feeling has finally sunk in, a lot of effort has been put toward getting the home ready for the baby. One might call it excitement. One might call it anticipation. One might call it “nesting.” Yes, I’m in full nesting mode.

Last Monday, my brother-in-law came over to help us transition our guest room into a nursery. We moved the guest room to the spare bedroom in the basement and began putting all of the pieces in place in the nursery. Since all of the major pieces were in place, all week long I took it upon myself to put the finishing touches throughout the room.

From filling the closet with baby clothes to placing baskets throughout the room, from setting out the books to lying out a rug to warm up the room, from organizing the toys to creating an art gallery wall — the room is coming together nicely and I can’t help but go in there at least 10 times a day to take a peak and have the “we’re having a baby” feeling set in even deeper. This change has been a welcome one, especially during one of my favorite seasons of the year.

I’m finding that fall is more than an outdoor and wardrobe change. Fall, in particular this year, is an overall change for me. Don’t get me wrong. I love it when the weather becomes cool and crisp, leaves start to change color, riding boots and sweaters start to make an appearance, and pumpkins begin to be placed throughout my home. Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. However, this year, fall has an extra special meaning.

Fall marks my third trimester. Fall marks the biggest growth in my baby bump. Fall marks the transition of our home from a home of two people to a home of a small family. So, as the seasons change, myself and my little family change too.

I welcome this fall with a bigger embrace compared to previous years because I know that this season always passes by too quickly and I want to be sure that I enjoy every minute of it. From being pregnant to spending time with my husband and dogs, from baking fall treats to picking out a pumpkin, from preparing the nursery to setting out the fall decor, I’m going to make a promise to myself to take all of this in before our little family of two people will grow to a family of three.

As I sit here writing, I have the music playing, the fall-scented candle glowing, the cool breeze coming through the window, a fall treat begging to be enjoyed, and the baby kicking. It doesn’t get much better than this. Yes, I’m totally ready for fall. I cannot wait to continue to change, adapt, and grow as the season continues to do the same.

• 3 1/3 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 2/3 cups sugar
• 2/3 cup butter, room temperature
• 4 eggs
• 1 (15 ounce) can pumpkin
• 2/3 cup water
• 2/3 cup Nutella

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare muffin tins with muffin liners.
2. Sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
3. Cream together the sugar and butter in a separate bowl. Add in the eggs, one at a time. Add in the pumpkin. 
4. Add the flour mixture and water to the egg mixture by alternating.
5. Remove two cups of the pumpkin batter into a bowl. Add the Nutella to the mixture and stir to combine.
6. Spoon the orange/pumpkin batter into a muffin cup. Add a little bit of the Nutella mixutre. Top with the orange/pumpkin mixture.
7. Use a knife or toothpick to swirl the mixtures together.
8. Top with the crumble topping. How to make the topping: Combine all of the crumb topping ingredients into a bowl and use a fork to crumble the mixture.
9. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
10. Remove to a wire rack and allow to cool.

What’s your favorite pumpkin treat?

*Recipe slightly adapted from Chef in Training