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Pumpkin Muffins are the perfect way to use up that pumpkin puree! We love making these muffins for breakfast and look forward to them all year. This recipe makes the best pumpkin muffins: they’re easy, fast and fluffy!
If you want to make the perfect fall muffin then this is the one for you – your kids will like them even if they say they don’t like pumpkin!
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BEST Pumpkin Muffin Recipe
I made these muffins the other morning just before a friend came over to work out with me. She walked in and couldn’t stop talking about how good my house smelled; it smelled like fall!
Whenever I bake Pumpkin Muffins or pumpkin bread it makes the whole house smell amazing. It’s one of the reasons I look forward to pumpkin season – the smells! I can open a jar of pumpkin pie spice and just be transported to the holidays.
Do you ever have those times when you bake with pumpkin, maybe a pie or bread or cookies, and you have a cup of pumpkin puree left over? That’s when you should make this muffin recipe!
Why these are the best muffins
It’s so easy to add pumpkin puree to breakfast recipes. It’s kind of like applesauce; it doesn’t add a ton of flavor but can add a moistness to baked goods and be substituted for oil.
I’ve added pumpkin to breads and pancakes and now it’s time to make muffins!
Ingredients in Pumpkin Muffins
Pumpkin puree: Make sure you’re using canned pumpkin and not pumpkin pie filling. Pumpkin puree in a can is cooked pumpkin and is just as good – but easier – than making it from scratch.
Pumpkin Spice: Don’t forget the pumpkin spice! When you’re making pumpkin muffins (or anything pumpkin for that matter), you have to add all the pumpkin spices to the batter so it actually tastes like what we’ve come to think pumpkin flavor is. If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice, you can make your own with my DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice recipe.
Milk: Milk is important for baking; the proteins create a strong batter. The sugar and fat in milk tenderize or moisten baked goods. I used non-fat milk in these muffins, but you wouldn’t know it’s missing the fat because the pumpkin keeps the muffins super moist. However, if you only have reduced-fat or full-fat milk in your refrigerator, feel free to use one of those instead. You can also use a nondairy milk in this recipe – almond milk or soy, etc. Just substitute it 1:1 with the milk called for in the recipe.
Eggs: Eggs help with stability and rise (tenderness) – be sure to buy large eggs.
Oil: Since pumpkin is a great substitute for oil, this recipe has very little fat: just 1/3 cup of oil for the entire batch! I don’t like leaving out the oil all together because it definitely makes the muffins nice and moist.
Sugar: This easy muffin recipe has brown sugar and granulated sugar. I like using both in fall flavor muffins because the brown sugar adds a lot of extra flavor because of the molasses in it. Plus, I find that brown sugar recipes are more tender.
How do you make pumpkin muffins?
Muffins and quick bread are the easiest things to bake from scratch. All you need to make the batter is a one bowl and a wooden spoon: no mixer needed!
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray muffin pans with nonstick cooking spray or line with muffin liners.
- Stir (or mix with hand mixer) together granulated sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, and oil until smooth. Stir in salt, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and eggs.
- Add vinegar, milk, and flour and stir or mix until no lumps remain.
- Fill muffin cups about 2/3 full. Sprinkle each muffin with cinnamon sugar. Bake for 15-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the muffin.
For a nice surprise, top the muffins with cinnamon sugar before baking!
PRO TIP
I love to sprinkle some cinnamon sugar on top of these muffins before baking too. It gives them a nice crunchy top with a little extra sweetness.
Pumpkin Muffin Variations
This pumpkin muffin recipe is kind of a blank slate. You can use this as a base muffin recipe for any mix-ins! Add:
- Chocolate Chips
- Peanut Butter Cups
- Maple Frosting or Cream Cheese Frosting
- Nuts or any other mix in!
These taste great out of the oven, or you can store them in an airtight container or even freeze them for later. I love having a batch in my freezer for fast morning breakfasts!
Learn how to freeze desserts!
This pumpkin muffin recipe will become your favorite fall breakfast.
FAQ
Do the toothpick test (it comes out clean) from the center of the muffin.
Yes use mini muffin pans and liners or skip the liners.
No but you’ll need to grease your pans really well.
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Yes in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Great for grab and go!
Other pumpkin breakfast recipes:
Serve these for brunch with:
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BEST Pumpkin Muffins
Ingredients
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (50g) brown sugar, packed
- 1 cup (244g) pumpkin puree
- ⅓ cup (79ml) vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice
- ⅓ cup (79ml) Fat-Free Milk , or use any milk or nondairy milk
- 2 cups (248g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (50g) cinnamon sugar (see notes)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray muffin pans with nonstick cooking spray or line with muffin liners.
- Stir (or mix with hand mixer) together granulated sugar, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, and oil until smooth. Stir in salt, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and eggs.
- Add vinegar, milk, and flour and stir or mix until no lumps remain.
- Fill muffin cups about 2/3 full. Sprinkle each muffin with cinnamon sugar. Bake for 15-22 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center of the muffin. Cool slightly before eating.
- Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to one month. To defrost, heat in microwave or let sit on the counter.
Recipe Notes
- To make your own cinnamon sugar, mix 1/2 cup granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon cinnamon and stir. Store in an airtight container.
Recipe Nutrition
**Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!**
Last Updated on September 27, 2021
These muffins are very good. My family thought slightly bland, but a wonderful consistency. Moist, yet firm.
I would try them again & add some pecans & possibly a crumb topping.