Homemade Pumpkin Muffins

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Just-like-Mom-made homemade Pumpkin Muffins are a delightful fall baking recipe thatโ€™s destined to become a tradition in your family, too. Learn how to make Pumpkin Muffins from scratch, then discover how to turn this easy breakfast recipe into dessert!

Pumpkin muffins on a serving tray.


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You could say that baking is in my DNA. My Mom is one incredibly talented baker, and Iโ€™m honored to share the secrets to make her beloved tried-and-true Pumpkin Muffin recipe with you today.

Moist, tender, and serving up a big dose of fall flavor, I make this homemade muffin recipe at least once per week each and every autumn. Thatโ€™s what Mom always did, and you know what they say, โ€œMom knows best!โ€

Pumpkin Muffin Recipe Ingredients

Labeled ingredients for pumpkin muffins.

At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.

  • Pumpkin pie spice: Purchase this pre-mixed, or to make homemade pumpkin pie spice, in a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg, 1 ยฝ teaspoons ground allspice, and 1 ยฝ teaspoons ground cloves. Transfer to a small airtight container and store in a dark place for up to 6 months.
  • ย Pumpkin puree: Good olโ€™ unadorned roasted pumpkin purรฉe is what youโ€™re after, no pumpkin pie filling. Buy a 15-ounce can in the baking aisle, or if youโ€™re feeling ambitious, make your own Fresh Pumpkin Purรฉe.

What is the best muffin pan?

When I bake my muffins, I always reach for my USA Pan 12-Cup Nonstick Muffin Pan. My muffins always come out easily and I like that it has a large overhang, so I can easily grip it with an oven mitt without squishing them. You can get it at Amazon for $29.95, and I also rounded up the best muffin pans if youโ€™re looking for another option for your fluffiest muffins ever.

How to make Pumpkin Spice Muffins

  1. Preheat oven toย 350 degrees. Line 2 muffin pans (24 cups) with silicone or paper liners and coat with nonstick cooking spray. In a medium bowl, sift together dry ingredients of flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Set aside.
A muffin tin with paper cups in it next to a bowl of dry ingredients.
  1. In a stand-mixer or a large bowl with a whisk attachment, mix together wet ingredients of large eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin. Add the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture in two batches, mixing after each addition. Stir until uniformly combined.ย 
A bowl of pumpkin muffin batter with dry ingredients being whisked in.
  1. Using a large cookie scoop or ยผ cup measuring cup, fill the muffin cups nearly to the top with batter.
Twelve pumpkin muffins in a muffin tin before being baked.
  1. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle of a muffin comes out clean with a few crumbs attached, rotating the muffin tin halfway through baking time, about 20 minutes. Cool muffins on a rack for several minutes before removing from pan. Cool completely on a wire rack.
Twelve pumpkin muffins in a muffin tin.

Pumpkin Spice Muffin Recipe Tips

  • Rest the batter:ย If you have time (or just want to get ahead!), let your muffin batter rest overnight in the refrigerator. This leads to taller, incredibly moist muffins. The starch from the flour has time to absorb into the wet ingredients so the muffins are more tender. And, any spices will intensify in flavor as the batter rests.
  • Scoop the cold batter as-is:ย No need to bring it to room temperature before baking.
  • Add fruit mix-ins just before baking:ย So they donโ€™t bleed in the batter.
  • Add more batter:ย For bigger, taller muffins, experiment with adding a little more batter to each cup in your muffin tin. This will take trial-and-error as if you add too much, they will overflow.
  • The right fat:ย Not all fats are created equal! I use butter in my Blueberry Muffin recipe, but butter in the Chocolate Chip Muffin recipe made for dry muffins. Since chocolate chips are dryer than blueberries, we opted for oil in that recipe.
  • Test your baking powder:ย If your leavening agents are expired, your muffins wonโ€™t rise properly. To test your baking powder, pour ยผ cup boiling water over ยฝ teaspoon baking powder. If it bubbles and fizzes, youโ€™re in business! If not, toss it out and replace.

How to Store Homemade Pumpkin Muffins

  • Storage:ย Store Pumpkin Muffins at room temperature for 2 to 3 days.

Can you freeze pumpkin muffins?

  • Freezer:ย After baking, let the Pumpkin Muffins cool completely. Wrap the muffins in 2 layers of plastic, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours.
Pumpkin muffins on a serving tray.

Pumpkin Muffin FAQs

Why are my muffins so tough and dense?

Itโ€™s tough to tell without baking alongside you (but wouldnโ€™t that be fun?!). But two common muffin baking mistakes might be the culprit. Didโ€ฆ
1. You overmixed the batter? Stop stirring when the muffin mixture is just combined; a few lumps are okay!
2. You add too much flour? To measure flour accurately, spoon the flour out of the bag and directly into the measuring cup. Make a high mound on the top of the cup, then level off the measuring cup using the back of a knife.

How can I turn these Pumpkin Muffins into Pumpkin Cupcakes?

Add frosting, of course! Iโ€™m partial to Cream Cheese Frosting. Buttercream Frosting or Powdered Sugar Icing would also be delicious.
Also, if youโ€™re in the mood for more pumpkin dessert recipes, donโ€™t miss my Mini Pumpkin Pies, Pumpkin Cheesecake, and Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting.

Can I make these in a different size of muffin pan?

You sure can. Mini muffin tin, jumbo muffin tin; do you! Youโ€™ll want to adjust the cooking time to avoid over- or undercooking.

How long to bake pumpkin muffins?

Bake pumpkin muffins at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean with a few crumbs attached.

More pumpkin recipes

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Pumpkin muffins on a cooling rack.

Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Just-like-Mom-made homemade Pumpkin Muffins are a delightful fall baking recipe that's destined to become a tradition in your family, too. Learn how to make Pumpkin Muffins from scratch, then discover how to turn this easy breakfast recipe into dessert!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings 24 muffins
Course Bread, Dessert
Cuisine American
Calories 203
5 from 7 votes

Ingredientsย 

Instructionsย 

  • Preheat oven toย 350 degrees. Line 24 cups with paper or silicone liners and coat with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a medium bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Set aside.
  • Inย a large bowl with a whisk together eggs, sugar, oil, and pumpkin. Add the flour mixture in two batches, mixing after each addition until uniformly combined.ย 
  • Using a large cookie scoop or ยผ cup measuring cup, fill the muffin cups nearly to the top with batter.
  • Bake until a toothpick inserted in the middle of a muffin comes out clean with a few crumbs attached, rotating the muffin tin halfway through baking time, about 20 minutes.

Recipe Video

Notes

  1. Pumpkin pie spice: Purchase this pre-mixed, or to make homemade pumpkin pie spice, in a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons cinnamon, 2 teaspoons ground ginger, 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg, 1 ยฝ teaspoons ground allspice, and 1 ยฝ teaspoons ground cloves. Transfer to a small airtight container and store in a dark place for up to 6 months.
  2. ย Pumpkin purรฉe: Good olโ€™ unadorned roasted pumpkin purรฉe is what youโ€™re after, no pumpkin pie filling. Buy a 15-ounce canned pumpkin puree that can be found in the baking aisle, or if youโ€™re feeling ambitious, make your own Fresh Pumpkin Purรฉe.
  3. Yield: This homemade muffin recipe makes 24 regular-sized muffins, ideal for a bake sale, a fall weekend brunch with eggs and bacon, or tucked inside a basket as a food gift, or even as a just-sweet-enough dessert.
  4. Storage:ย Store Pumpkin Muffins at room temperature for 2 to 3 days.
  5. Freezer:ย After baking, let the Pumpkin Muffins cool completely. Wrap the muffins in 2 layers of plastic, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 12 to 24 hours.

Nutrition

Serving: 1muffinCalories: 203kcalCarbohydrates: 26gProtein: 2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 163mgPotassium: 60mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 2981IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 32mgIron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @culinaryhill on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece! #culinaryhill

5 from 7 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. This October has been a truly delightful experience for me, especially because of the wonderful pumpkin dishes I created in my kitchen. I experimented with a variety of recipes, from creamy pumpkin soups to decadent pumpkin pies, and every bite was a celebration of the season. The rich flavors and comforting aromas filled my home, making it feel warm and inviting.

    I am already counting down the days until I can dive back into this cozy autumn experience all over again!5 stars

    1. Iโ€™m so happy you loved them, Haleigh! Thanks for stopping by to comment. Take care! โ€“ Meggan