Pumpkin Muffins

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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!

Pumpkin muffins on a serving tray.


 

You could say that baking is in my DNA. My Mom is one incredibly talented baker, and I’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. That’s what Mom always did, and you know what they say, “Mom knows best!”

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.

Ingredient notes

  • 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 ½ teaspoons ground allspice, and 1 ½ teaspoons ground cloves. Transfer to a small airtight container and store in a dark place for up to 6 months.
  •  Pumpkin puree: Good ol’ unadorned roasted pumpkin purée is what you’re after, no pumpkin pie filling. Buy a 16-ounce can in the baking aisle, or if you’re feeling ambitious, make your own Fresh Pumpkin Purée.

Step-by-step instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 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. 
A bowl of pumpkin muffin batter with dry ingredients being whisked in.
  1. Using a large cookie scoop or ¼ 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 25 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.

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 you’re looking for another option for your fluffiest muffins ever.

Recipe tips and variations

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my muffins so tough and dense?

It’s tough to tell without baking alongside you (but wouldn’t that be fun?!). But two common muffin baking mistakes might be the culprit. Did…
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! I’m partial to Cream Cheese Frosting. Buttercream Frosting or Powdered Sugar Icing would also be delicious.
Also, if you’re in the mood for more pumpkin dessert recipes, don’t miss my Mini Pumpkin Pies, Pumpkin Cheesecake, and Pumpkin Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting.

More pumpkin recipes

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Pumpkin muffins on a cooling rack.

Pumpkin 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 6 votes

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 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.
  • In 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. 
  • Using a large cookie scoop or ¼ 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 25 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 ½ teaspoons ground allspice, and 1 ½ teaspoons ground cloves. Transfer to a small airtight container and store in a dark place for up to 6 months.
  2.  Pumpkin purée: Good ol’ unadorned roasted pumpkin purée is what you’re after, no pumpkin pie filling. Buy a 16-ounce canned pumpkin puree can be found in the baking aisle, or if you’re feeling ambitious, make your own Fresh Pumpkin Purée.
  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: Store Pumpkin Muffins at room temperature for 2 to 3 days.
  5. Freezer: 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
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Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.

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Comments

    1. I’m so happy you loved them, Haleigh! Thanks for stopping by to comment. Take care! – Meggan