Pumpkin Muffins Recipe: The Ultimate Breakfast for Fall Season

Liputan6.com, Jakarta It's Fall now, and nothing can beat a tasty pumpkin muffins recipe to start your day. Fall is the season for pumpkin, and putting it in muffins makes the ultimate breakfast combo for the Halloween season.

Unlike classic muffins, pumpkin muffins have a soft texture and deep flavor from pumpkin puree and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. This mix gives the muffins a unique sweetness and moistness that regular muffins often lack. The pumpkin also adds natural color, making them look beautiful and appetizing.

If you want to try this tasty variation of a muffin, you are in the right place. In this article, we will share our easy pumpkin muffins recipe and tips that are perfect for this season. We will also give you some other variations of the recipe that you can try at home. Check out to find more.

This pumpkin muffins recipe is the basic version that you can enjoy as it is or use as a base for more creative variations. It's soft, moist, and lightly spiced, making it perfect for breakfast, snack time, or dessert.

Ingredients:

- 1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

- 1 teaspoon baking soda

- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

- 1/2 teaspoon salt

- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

- 1 cup pumpkin puree

- 2 large eggs

- 1/2 cup vegetable oil

- 1/2 cup brown sugar

- 1/2 cup white sugar

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

- 1/4 cup milk

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners. This helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and all the spices.

3. In another bowl, beat the eggs, then add pumpkin puree, vegetable oil, brown sugar, white sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Stir until everything is smooth and fully combined.

4. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix; a few lumps are fine. Overmixing can make your muffins dense instead of fluffy.

5. Spoon the batter evenly into the muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full. This gives them enough space to rise nicely while baking.

6. Bake for 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The tops should be golden and slightly firm to the touch.

7. Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before moving them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Once you master the basic pumpkin muffins recipe, you can make it even better with a few simple tricks. Here are some practical tips that can help you make the best batch every time.

1. Use Pumpkin Puree, Not Pumpkin Pie Filling

Pumpkin pie filling already has sugar and spices added, which can make your muffins too sweet. Always use plain pumpkin puree for the best flavor and texture.

2. Add a Splash of Orange Juice

A tablespoon of orange juice can brighten the flavor and make the muffins taste fresher without overpowering the pumpkin.

3. Don't Overmix the Batter

Mixing too much can create dense muffins. Stop stirring once you no longer see dry flour in the mixture.

4. Rest the Batter for 10 Minutes Before Baking

Letting the batter rest helps the flour hydrate, leading to softer and higher muffins.

5. Use Room Temperature Ingredients

Cold eggs or milk can cause uneven mixing. Make sure your ingredients are at room temperature before starting.

6. Add Texture with Toppings

Sprinkle oats, chopped nuts, or sugar crystals on top before baking for a nice crunch and extra flavor.

7. Bake on the Center Rack

This helps your muffins bake evenly, giving you a perfect golden color without overbrowning the bottoms.

8. Try Using Brown Sugar Only

Brown sugar adds moisture and a deeper caramel flavor, making your muffins richer and softer.

9. Test Early to Avoid Overbaking

Check your muffins at the 18-minute mark. Overbaked muffins can lose moisture quickly and become dry.

10. Store Properly for Freshness

Keep the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days, or refrigerate for a week. You can also freeze them for up to two months.

Once you know the basic recipe, you can easily change it to create new and exciting flavors. Here are some tasty pumpkin muffins recipe variations you can try at home:

1. Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins: Add 3/4 cup of chocolate chips to the batter for a sweet and rich flavor.

2. Cream Cheese-Filled Pumpkin Muffins: Add a spoonful of cream cheese filling in the center of each muffin before baking for a creamy surprise.

3. Oatmeal Pumpkin Muffins: Mix 1/2 cup of rolled oats into the batter for extra texture and fiber.

4. Pumpkin Pecan Muffins: Stir in chopped pecans for a nutty flavor and satisfying crunch.

5. Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins: Add 1/2 cup of dried cranberries to bring a tart, fruity balance to the sweetness.

6. Pumpkin Banana Muffins: Replace half of the pumpkin puree with mashed banana for a softer and more tropical taste.

7. Pumpkin Spice Latte Muffins: Add 1 tablespoon of instant coffee powder to the batter for a hint of coffee flavor.

8. Maple Pumpkin Muffins: Replace the white sugar with maple syrup for a sweet, earthy taste that pairs well with pumpkin.

9. Pumpkin Coconut Muffins: Add shredded coconut into the batter for a unique texture and tropical twist.

10. Pumpkin Apple Muffins: Fold in small pieces of fresh apple for a juicy and flavorful bite.

11. Pumpkin Walnut Muffins: Add chopped walnuts for a slightly bitter contrast to the sweetness.

12. Pumpkin Chocolate Swirl Muffins: Swirl melted chocolate into the batter before baking for a marbled look and rich taste.

13. Pumpkin Protein Muffins: Add one scoop of vanilla protein powder to make them a great post-workout snack.

14. Pumpkin Carrot Muffins: Mix in grated carrot for extra color, nutrition, and natural sweetness.

15. Pumpkin Streusel Muffins: Top the muffins with a cinnamon-sugar crumble before baking for a bakery-style finish.

Each variation brings a new flavor to your pumpkin muffins recipe. Try one or two to find your favorite, or mix and match your favorite ingredients for your own special version.