These Glazed Pumpkin Muffins are soft, sweet, and bursting with pumpkin flavor! The warm spices and a shiny glaze on top make them so tempting and perfect for fall.
Honestly, I can’t say no to these! They remind me of cozy days with a cup of hot chocolate. They are super easy to whip up, so they’re perfect for any breakfast or snack.
Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is the base for your muffins, but you can swap in whole wheat flour for a healthier option. Just note that the texture might be a bit denser.
Pumpkin Puree: Canned pumpkin is super convenient! If you want to use fresh pumpkin, just roast and puree it first. You can also use sweet potato puree if you’re in a pinch.
Spices: Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves are classic fall spices. If you don’t have cloves, you can use more cinnamon or even pumpkin pie spice for a similar effect.
Unsalted Butter: This gives richness, but you can use coconut oil or a dairy-free butter if you want to make it dairy-free. Just melt it, and you’ll be good to go!
Milk: Regular milk is great, but you can use almond milk or oat milk for a lactose-free version. Buttermilk gives a nice tang; just mix milk with a splash of vinegar to make your own!
How Do You Achieve the Perfect Muffin Texture?
Getting the right texture in muffins is key and requires a few simple techniques. Here’s how you do it:
- Don’t Overmix: When you add the dry ingredients to the wet mix, combine gently. Overmixing can lead to dense muffins.
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature. This helps all the ingredients blend smoothly and evenly.
- Fill Correctly: Only fill each muffin cup about 3/4 full. This allows room for the muffins to rise without spilling over.
- Check for Doneness: Use a toothpick to see if they’re done. If it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs, your muffins are ready!
- Cooling Time: Let them cool for a few minutes before glazing. This prevents the glaze from sliding off and ensures a delicious presentation.
Glazed Pumpkin Muffins
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Muffins:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup milk (or buttermilk)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of cinnamon (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare, plus baking time of 18-22 minutes. You’ll want to allow a few extra minutes for cooling the muffins and letting the glaze set, so plan on about 40 minutes total to enjoy these delicious treats!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat and Prepare:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s warming up, go ahead and line a muffin tin with your favorite paper liners. This will keep your muffins from sticking and make them easy to serve!
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, use a whisk to combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. This step ensures that your spices are evenly distributed throughout the muffins.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer. Mix until it’s light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add Eggs and Pumpkin:
Next, add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, mix in the pumpkin puree and vanilla extract until everything is blended smoothly.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Now, it’s time to add the dry mixture to your wet ingredients. Gradually mix them together, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. It’s important to mix just until combined—don’t overmix, or you’ll end up with tough muffins!
6. Fill the Muffin Cups:
Using a spoon or an ice cream scoop, divide the muffin batter evenly into the lined muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full. This will give them plenty of room to rise without spilling over.
7. Bake:
Pop the muffin tin into the oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Just be sure not to open the oven too early!
8. Cool the Muffins:
Once they’re done baking, let the muffins cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from getting soggy.
9. Prepare the Glaze:
While the muffins are cooling, you can make the glaze! In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and cinnamon (if using) until it’s smooth and drizzle-able. Add more milk if you want a thinner glaze.
10. Glaze the Muffins:
Once the muffins are completely cooled, drizzle the glaze generously over the tops. Let the glaze set for a few moments before serving, so it holds its shape.
11. Enjoy!
Your moist, spiced pumpkin muffins with their shiny glaze are ready to be enjoyed! Serve them warm, and bask in the lovely autumn flavors. Perfect for breakfast or as a sweet snack!
Can I Substitute the Pumpkin Puree?
Yes! You can use sweet potato puree instead of pumpkin for a similar flavor and texture. If you’re using fresh pumpkin, make sure to roast and puree it first for the best results.
How Can I Make These Muffins Dairy-Free?
You can easily make these muffins dairy-free by substituting the butter with coconut oil or a dairy-free butter alternative. For milk, almond milk or oat milk works well!
What Should I Do If My Muffin Batter Is Too Thick?
If your batter seems too thick, you can add a bit more milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. This will help ensure your muffins remain moist.
How Should I Store Leftover Muffins?
Store any leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. Just thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy!
