Description
These Showstopping Pumpkin Muffins are a perfect blend of warm spices and moist pumpkin puree, ideal for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy snack. Featuring a tender crumb with optional nuts or chocolate chips and an irresistible coarse sugar topping, these muffins bring a delicious touch of fall to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
Optional Add-ins and Toppings
- ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
- ½ cup chocolate chips or cream cheese filling (optional)
- Coarse sugar for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners to prepare for baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves until well combined to evenly distribute the spices and leavening agents.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and milk until the mixture is smooth and homogenous, ensuring a creamy batter.
- Incorporate Dry into Wet: Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients just until combined, being careful not to overmix to maintain tender muffins.
- Add Optional Mix-Ins: Gently stir in the chopped nuts or chocolate chips if using, for added texture and flavor.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Evenly divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full to allow room for rising.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the tops with coarse sugar if desired, adding a decorative and crunchy finish.
- Bake Muffins: Bake in the preheated oven for 20–22 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating they are fully cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, ensuring they set properly and are easy to handle.
Notes
- Customize with a cream cheese swirl for an indulgent twist that adds rich flavor and texture.
- These muffins freeze well and can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 months, making them perfect for batch baking.
- Perfect snack or dessert option for fall gatherings, holiday parties, or cozy breakfasts.
