Cozy Pumpkin Spice Muffin Recipe

Heartwarming Cozy Pumpkin Spice Muffin Recipe for Fall Mornings

Autumn whispers comfort through every bite of these delectable pumpkin spice muffins that effortlessly capture seasonal warmth.

Cool mornings call for something special straight from the oven.

Soft, tender crumbs infused with warm spices dance between sweet and aromatic notes.

Cinnamon and nutmeg weave magic through each delightful morsel.

The fragrant blend of pure pumpkin and rich spices creates an irresistible treat perfect for breakfast or afternoon snacking.

Baking these muffins fills your kitchen with an enchanting aroma that welcomes the crisp fall season.

Let’s savor the delicious magic of this simple yet incredible recipe.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 12

What’s in the Pumpkin Spice Muffin Recipe

For Dry Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and tender crumb for muffins, choose unbleached flour for best texture.
  • Baking Soda: Creates light, airy rise and helps balance acidic ingredients.
  • Baking Powder: Ensures even, soft lifting throughout the muffin.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
  • Pumpkin Pie Spice: Delivers warming autumn flavor with blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
For Wet Ingredients:
  • Vegetable Oil: Keeps muffins incredibly moist and soft, neutral flavor works perfectly.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and contributes to golden brown exterior.
  • Eggs: Binds ingredients together and provides rich protein structure.
  • Pumpkin Puree: Delivers authentic seasonal taste and natural moisture.
  • Milk: Softens batter and creates smooth consistency.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds out complex flavor profile.
For Topping/Optional Mix-ins:
  • Chocolate Chips: Adds delightful sweetness and melty pockets of richness.
  • Nuts: Provides crunchy texture and nutty undertone.
  • Brown Sugar, Flour, Cinnamon, Melted Butter: Creates irresistible crumbly streusel topping with caramelized edges.

Must-Have Tools for Pumpkin Spice Muffins

  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
  • Whisk: Perfect for blending ingredients without lumps.
  • Muffin tin: Crucial for shaping and baking muffins evenly.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient quantities.
  • Toothpick: Helps check muffin doneness by testing center.
  • Wire cooling rack: Allows muffins to cool without getting soggy bottoms.
  • Spatula: Great for folding in chocolate chips and scraping batter.
  • Muffin liners or cooking spray: Prevents muffins from sticking to pan.

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Muffins Easily

  • Warm Up the Oven

Get your kitchen toasty by heating the oven to 350F. Grab a muffin tin and coat it with paper liners or a quick spritz of cooking spray.

  • Create Dry Magic

Grab a big mixing bowl and whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice until perfectly blended.

  • Blend Liquid Goodness

In another bowl, whisk oil, sugar, eggs, pumpkin puree, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and silky.

  • Marry the Mixtures

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. If you’re feeling adventurous, toss in some chocolate chips or chopped nuts.

  • Fill and Bake

Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full. Pop the tin into the oven and bake for 18-22 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

  • Craft a Crumbly Topping

Mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter until you’ve got a delightful crumbly mixture. Sprinkle this over the muffins before baking for extra deliciousness.

  • Cool and Enjoy

Let muffins rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Enjoy warm or at room temperature with a cozy beverage.

Pro Tips for Pumpkin Spice Muffin Magic

  • Baking Brilliance: Swap vegetable oil with melted coconut oil for a richer flavor profile and subtle tropical hint.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare muffin batter the night before and refrigerate, allowing spices to deeply infuse overnight for enhanced taste.
  • Gluten-Free Goodness: Replace all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to accommodate wheat-sensitive diets without compromising texture.
  • Protein Power Boost: Stir in a scoop of vanilla protein powder for extra nutrition, perfect for post-workout breakfast or healthy snack option.
  • Topping Transformation: Experiment with mix-ins like chopped pecans, dried cranberries, or white chocolate chips to create unique flavor combinations and add delightful texture variations.

Presenting Your Pumpkin Spice Muffins

  • Cozy Morning Breakfast Companion: Pair these warm pumpkin spice muffins with a steaming cup of coffee or chai tea for a delightful morning treat that wakes up your taste buds.
  • Festive Dessert Transformation: Serve these muffins with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or drizzle with caramel sauce for an elegant autumn-inspired dessert that impresses guests.
  • Grab-and-Go Snack Option: Wrap individual muffins in parchment paper for a perfect packed lunch addition or quick energy boost during afternoon work breaks, making them ideal for busy schedules.
  • Brunch Centerpiece Delight: Arrange muffins on a rustic wooden board with cream cheese spread, honey, and seasonal fruits to create an inviting brunch spread that looks as good as it tastes.

Saving Pumpkin Spice Muffins for Later

  • Fridge Fresh Storage: Keep muffins in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 5 days, maintaining their soft texture and delicious flavor.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare muffin batter ahead of time and store in the refrigerator for 24 hours before baking, allowing spices to develop richer taste profiles.
  • Freezer Friendly Approach: Wrap individual muffins tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags for long-term storage up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or microwave briefly for quick enjoyment.
  • Portion Perfect Trick: Divide batch into single-serving portions using sandwich bags or small containers, creating grab-and-go breakfast or snack options for busy mornings and hectic schedules.
Print
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Cozy Pumpkin Spice Muffin Recipe

Cozy Pumpkin Spice Muffin Recipe


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4.7 from 15 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Moist pumpkin spice muffins blend autumn’s warmest flavors into a delightful breakfast treat. Spices like cinnamon and nutmeg create rich, comforting notes you’ll savor with morning coffee.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (240 ml) pumpkin puree
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil or melted coconut oil
  • 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) milk
  • 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup (85 g) chocolate chips or chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and outfit a muffin tin with paper liners or cooking spray.
  2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and pumpkin pie spice together in a large mixing bowl until uniformly blended.
  3. Wet Ingredient Emulsion: In a separate vessel, thoroughly blend oil, sugar, eggs, pumpkin puree, milk, and vanilla extract until achieving a silky, homogeneous mixture.
  4. Batter Assembly: Merge dry and wet ingredients, stirring minimally to prevent gluten development, creating a tender crumb. Optional: integrate chocolate chips or chopped nuts for textural complexity.
  5. Streusel Creation: Combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter to craft a crumbly topping with rustic appeal.
  6. Filling and Topping: Allocate batter into muffin cups, filling each to three-quarters capacity. Generously dust the surface with prepared streusel mixture.
  7. Baking Process: Position in preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes. Validate doneness by inserting a toothpick—it should emerge pristine and crumb-free.
  8. Cooling and Serving: Allow muffins to rest in the pan for 5 minutes, then transition to a wire rack. Serve warm or at ambient temperature for peak gustatory pleasure.

Notes

  • Prevent Overmixing: Stir dry and wet ingredients gently to maintain a light, tender muffin texture without developing tough gluten strands.
  • Control Moisture Balance: Use pure pumpkin puree (not pie filling) to ensure the right moisture level and prevent soggy muffins.
  • Customize Flavor Variations: Experiment with mix-ins like pecans, walnuts, or dark chocolate chips to add depth and personal flair to the basic recipe.
  • Temperature Precision: Check oven accuracy with a separate thermometer to guarantee consistent baking and prevent under or overbaking the muffins.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 204
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 9 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 29 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 37 mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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