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    Home » Pumpkin Muffins

    Pumpkin Muffins

    Published: Sep 24, 2021 · Modified: Sep 24, 2021 by Laura · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    These are the best pumpkin muffins. They are moist, buttery, soft and loaded with fragrant fall spices with just the right amount of sweetness. Use fresh or canned pumpkin to make these easy pumpkin muffins – no mixer required.

    a stack of two Pumpkin Muffins, the top one has a bite taken out of it

    The transition of the seasons from summer to fall always prompts me to break out the pumpkin puree and start baking. Everyone needs a classic pumpkin muffin recipe in their repertoire, and this is mine. It's easy to make with simple ingredients - no mixer required!

    These pumpkin muffins are moist, buttery, soft and loaded with fragrant fall spices with just the right amount of sweetness. Enjoy them with a slather of cinnamon honey butter and a warm cup of coffee to make any chilly fall morning nice and cozy.

    7 Pumpkin Muffins in a serving dish

    Pumpkin Muffins: Ingredients & Substituitons

    Let's discuss the ingredients in these pumpkin muffins, as well as possible substitutions.

    overhead photo of the ingredients in this Pumpkin Muffin recipe
    • Pumpkin puree. This recipe calls for 15 oz pumpkin puree, which equals one can or 1 ½ cups. If you have fresh homemade puree, feel free to use that as well! Just be sure you have drained the water out of it so that it's thick and isn't runny. 
    • Salted Butter. Unsalted butter, coconut oil, canola oil or ghee can be used in place of butter with great results. You can substitute part of the butter with applesauce, but I prefer it with butter.
    • Light Brown Sugar. If you want a more molasses taste, use dark brown sugar.
    • Granulated sugar. Any white granulated sugar works great in this recipe. I use organic cane sugar.
    • All-purpose flour. Bread flour and pastry flour also work well in this pumpkin muffins recipe! You can use an all-purpose gluten-free baking flour for a gluten-free version as well!
    • Pumpkin Pie Spice. Use store bought or make your own! I have included a recipe for 1 TBS of pumpkin pie spice in the recipe card, but here it is: 
    overhead view of 5 Pumpkin Muffins, the middle one has a bite taken out of it

    How do you make pumpkin muffins? 

    These pumpkin muffin recipe comes together in one bowl in five minutes.

    Combine dry ingredients

    In a small bowl, mix together flour, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking powder and sea salt. Set aside.

     two photos showing How to Make Pumpkin Muffins from Scratch - combining dry ingredients

    Mix together wet ingredients & sugars

    Begin by mixing together the pumpkin puree and melted butter. 

     two photos showing How to Make Pumpkin Muffins from Scratch - combining wet ingredients

    Stir in sugar

    Next, add brown & granulated sugar and stir or stir until the sugars are dissolved and the mixture is homogenous (uniform throughout).

     two photos showing How to Make Pumpkin Muffins from Scratch - adding brown and granulated sugar

    Add eggs & vanilla

    Next, add eggs and vanilla and whisk or stir to combine.

     two photos showing How to Make Pumpkin Muffins from Scratch - adding eggs

    Combine wet & dry ingredients

    Add dry ingredients and stir until batter is smooth. If desired, add mix-ins and stir until evenly distributed.

    Mix-in suggestions:

    • Chocolate chips
    • cinnamon chips
    • nuts (pecans, walnuts, etc.)
    • rasins
    • dried cranberries
    • white chocolate chips
     two photos showing How to Make Pumpkin Muffins from Scratch - combining wet and dry ingredients

    Bake

    Pour ¼ cup of the pumpkin muffin batter into each well of the muffin tin, and smooth out the top.

    Bake in preheated oven for 14-17 minutes, or until the tops are set and a cake tested inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean or with a few crumbs. (I bake mine for 15 minutes).  

     two photos showing How to Make Pumpkin Muffins from Scratch - before and after baking in a muffin tin

    Cool

    Let pumpkin muffins cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove them and transfer muffins to a wire rack to cool completely.

    front view of a Pumpkin Muffin on wire cooling rack with other muffins around it

    Serve

    Serve these pumpkin muffins warm with a slather of cinnamon honey butter. I like serving them alongside an egg dish like this egg casserole or frittata, or with a pumpkin smoothie!

    Store/freeze

    Store the pumpkin muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in a single layer in an airtight container in the freezer for up to two months.

    half of a pumpkin muffin with butter on it.

    FAQs about Pumpkin Muffins

    Is canned pumpkin the same as pumpkin puree?

    Yes! As long as you purchase a can that reads "pumpkin puree" and has one ingredient listed - pumpkin.

    How can I make my muffins light and fluffy?

    These muffins are so light and fluffy.

    How many cups in a 15oz can of pumpkin?

    One 15 oz can of pumpkin usually equals 1 ½ cups.

    Can I substitute canned pumpkin for pumpkin puree?

    Yes, they are the same thing.


    How do you make pumpkin muffins from scratch?

    Follow this recipe!

    up close photo of a pumpkin muffin with a bite taken out of it

    If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don't forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube - be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

    Best Pumpkin Muffins Recipe

    Laura
    These are the best pumpkin muffins ever. They are moist, buttery, soft and loaded with fragrant fall spices with just the right amount of sweetness. Use fresh or canned pumpkin to make these easy pumpkin muffins – no mixer required.
    5 from 15 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Breakfast, brunch
    Cuisine American
    Servings 14 Muffins
    Calories 224 kcal

    Equipment

    • measuring spoons
    • measuring cups
    • spatula
    • glass batter bowl
    • standard muffin pan
    • cake tester

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 15 oz pumpkin puree
    • ½ cup salted butter melted
    • ¾ cup light brown sugar packed
    • ¾ cup granulated sugar
    • 2 eggs
    • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
    • 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 TBS pumpkin pie spice
    • 2 tsp cinnamon
    • 2 tsp baking powder
    • ½ tsp fine sea salt
    • 1 cup mix-ins (optional) chocolate chips, cinnamon chips, nuts, dried fruit, etc.

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
    • Grease a standard 12-cup muffin tin, set aside.
    • In a small bowl, mix together flour, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, baking powder and sea salt. Set aside.
    • In a large bowl whisk together pumpkin puree and melted butter until smooth.
    • Add brown sugar and granulated sugar and whisk until combined and there are no lumps.
    • Add eggs and vanilla and stir to combine.
    • Add dry ingredients and stir until batter is smooth.
    • If desired, add mix-ins like chocolate chips, cinnamon chips, walnuts, etc. and stir until evenly distributed.
    • Pour ¼ cup of the pumpkin muffin batter into each well of the muffin tin, and smooth out the top.
    • Bake in preheated oven for 14-17 minutes, or until the tops are set and a cake tested inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean or with a few crumbs. (I bake mine for 15 minutes).
    • Let pumpkin muffins cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then remove them and transfer muffins to a wire rack to cool completely.

    Video

    Notes

    Homemade pumpkin pie spice (1 TBS)

    • 1 ½ tsp cinnamon
    • ½ tsp nutmeg
    • ½ tsp cloves
    • ½ tsp allspice

    Ingredient Substitutions

    • Pumpkin puree. This recipe calls for 1 ½ cups of pumpkin puree, which equals one, 15 oz can of pumpkin puree. If you have fresh homemade puree, feel free to use that as well! Just be sure you have drained the water out of it so that it's thick and isn't runny. 
    • Salted Butter. Unsalted butter, coconut oil, canola oil or ghee can be used in place of butter with great results. You can substitute part of the butter with applesauce, but I prefer it with butter.
    • Light Brown Sugar. If you want a more molasses taste, use dark brown sugar.
    • Granulated sugar. Any white granulated sugar works great in this recipe. I use organic cane sugar.
    • All-purpose flour. Bread flour and pastry flour also work well in this pumpkin muffins recipe! You can use an all-purpose gluten-free baking flour for a gluten-free version as well!
    • Pumpkin Pie Spice. Use store bought or make your own! I have included a recipe for 1 TBS of pumpkin pie spice in the recipe card, but here it is: 

    Serve

    Serve these pumpkin muffins warm with a slather of cinnamon honey butter. I like serving them alongside an egg dish like this egg casserole or frittata, or with a pumpkin smoothie!

    Store/freeze

    Store the pumpkin muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or in a single layer in an airtight container in the freezer for up to two months.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1muffinCalories: 224kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 3gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 41mgSodium: 156mgPotassium: 168mgFiber: 2gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 4966IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 56mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More delicious recipes

    • This pumpkin pie is the BEST and it's made completely from scratch. Or try this dairy-free pumpkin pie which is equally delicious! 
    • This pumpkin cake is one of my all-time favorite recipe creations, you will love it I promise.
    • You won't find a more delicious Pumpkin Bread Recipe - I promise! It's moist and so good!
    • Pumpkin baked oatmeal is one of our favorite fall breakfasts! 
    • Baked pumpkin donuts are another yummy breakfast for special days!
    • This no-bake vegan pumpkin cheesecake is great if you have people in your family with food allergies! Also this paleo pumpkin bread, these paleo pumpkin muffins, and these mini vegan pumpkin pies!
    • This pumpkin smoothie tastes like a liquid pumpkin pie but it's so much healthier and only takes 5 minutes to make!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine! 

    The photos in this post were taken by Joscelyn from Wifemamafoodie!

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    Did you make this recipe?

    Leave a comment and review below, then take a picture and tag @joyfoodsunshine #joyfoodsunshine on Instagram so I can see it! Sign up here to receive weekly e-mails!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. ChristiW

      March 18, 2022 at 8:40 am

      5 stars
      These were delicious! I baked muffins. This recipe made 15 regular sized muffins. I increased oven temperature to 375 and it baked for about 20-24 minutes. Thanks so much for the recipe!

      Reply
    2. Melinda

      December 28, 2021 at 7:56 am

      These are yummy, moist and flavorful. Only thing I may change next time is using less sugar.

      Reply
    3. Sarah L

      October 08, 2021 at 9:36 pm

      5 stars
      I feel like these were a tad too sweet for us... BUT the texture and flavor were perfection. To cut the sweet, I softened some cream cheese with cinnamon and whipped that together. Made a batch this morning and there are only two more left!

      Reply
    4. Sarah

      September 30, 2021 at 12:17 pm

      5 stars
      These are excellent. Somehow they manage to be light and fluffy, which isn’t always typical for a muffin! I am excited to bring these for an after school snack 🙂

      Reply
      • Debbie Crawford

        January 02, 2022 at 5:14 pm

        5 stars
        These are good. I used 1/4 c brown sugar and 1/2 c white after reading the other comments. Perfect sweetness level. Also used the pumpkin pie spice recipe you provided and didn't add the additional cinnamon. Really tasty. Thank you.

        Reply
    5. Farmgal87

      September 28, 2021 at 7:54 pm

      5 stars
      These were delicious!! I reduced the sugar to 1/2 cup brown and heaping 1/4 cup reg to make them more healthy for the kids. I also didn't have pumpkin pie spice so used a Tbs of cinnamon, 2 tsp ginger, and fresh nutmeg. The texture was spot on, with lots of pumpkin flavor, and the spices were warm and comforting. Even with the sugar reduction these were perfectly sweet for us. Love that the recipe uses butter instead of oil too! Saving to use again:)

      Reply

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    About Laura

    I’m Laura, a former chemistry teacher turned homeschooling mom of six beautiful babies! I create simple and delicious recipes that are tested and perfected to make cooking and baking joyful and fun!

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