These Glazed Pumpkin Muffins are soft, spiced, and perfect for fall! Made with real pumpkin and warming spices, they come topped with a sweet glaze that makes them extra special.
Honestly, who can resist a muffin that’s not only fluffy but also drizzled with glaze? I love enjoying these with a warm cup of coffee—pure comfort on a cozy day!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-purpose flour: This is the base of our muffins, providing structure. For a gluten-free option, you can use a gluten-free flour blend. I’ve used almond flour for a nutty flavor, but be aware it may change the texture slightly.
Pumpkin puree: Make sure to use pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. If you can’t find it, you can mash cooked butternut squash or sweet potatoes as a substitute. Both give a lovely flavor!
Spices: The mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves gives these muffins their warm taste. If you’re in a pinch, you can use pumpkin pie spice instead, which usually contains a blend of these spices.
Buttermilk: This adds moisture and a nice tang. You can easily make your own by adding one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to one cup of milk and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes.
How Can I Ensure My Muffins Turn Out Light and Fluffy?
The key to perfect muffins is not to overmix the batter. Overmixing can lead to tough muffins! Simply combine the wet and dry ingredients until just mixed—some lumps are perfectly fine.
- Start by creaming the butter and sugar well. This adds air, helping the muffins rise.
- Gradually add dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Use a spatula to fold rather than stirring too vigorously.
- Make sure to check for doneness by inserting a toothpick—if it comes out clean, your muffins are ready!
Following these tips will help you bake deliciously fluffy glazed pumpkin muffins every time! Enjoy the process and share these with friends and family!
How to Make Glazed Pumpkin Muffins
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Muffins:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup pure pumpkin puree
- ½ cup buttermilk
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk (or as needed)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes of preparation time, plus 18-22 minutes of baking. After the muffins cool for about 5 minutes in the pan, you’ll need some time to prepare the delicious glaze. Overall, you can expect about 40 minutes from start to finish before you enjoy your tasty muffins!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease the cups to prevent sticking.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. This helps to ensure that the leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is important as it adds air into the mixture, helping your muffins rise beautifully!
4. Add the Eggs and Vanilla:
Add the eggs to the butter mixture one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla extract until evenly combined.
5. Incorporate the Pumpkin Puree:
Next, stir in the pumpkin puree until everything is well combined. This will give your muffins their moist texture and delicious pumpkin flavor!
6. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Now, alternately add the flour mixture and the buttermilk to the pumpkin mixture. Start with a portion of the flour mix, then add some buttermilk, and repeat. Be careful not to overmix; just mix until you can no longer see dry flour!
7. Fill the Muffin Tin:
Using a spoon or a cupcake scoop, divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full so they have enough room to rise.
8. Bake the Muffins:
Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 18-22 minutes. You can check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a muffin; if it comes out clean, they’re ready!
9. Cool the Muffins:
Once baked, take the muffins out and let them cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Patience pays off!
10. Make the Glaze:
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth. If it’s too thick, add a teaspoon of milk at a time until you achieve your desired consistency.
11. Drizzle and Serve:
Once the muffins are completely cool, drizzle the glaze over the tops. Let them sit for a few moments so the glaze can set before serving.
Enjoy your moist spiced pumpkin muffins with a sweet vanilla glaze! Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert!
Can I Use Pumpkin Pie Filling Instead of Pure Pumpkin Puree?
No, it’s best to use pure pumpkin puree in this recipe. Pumpkin pie filling is already sweetened and spiced, which can alter the flavor and sweetness of your muffins. If you have only pumpkin pie filling, be sure to reduce the sugar and spices accordingly.
How Can I Make These Muffins Healthier?
You can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for added fiber. Additionally, consider reducing the sugar slightly or using a natural sweetener like honey or maple syrup. You can also replace half of the butter with unsweetened applesauce for a lower-fat option!
Can I Freeze the Muffins?
Yes, these muffins freeze beautifully! Allow them to cool completely, then wrap each muffin tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To enjoy, just thaw at room temperature or warm them up in the microwave!
What Variations Can I Try?
Feel free to add mix-ins like chocolate chips, walnuts, or pecans for extra flavor and texture. You can also experiment with spices such as ginger or allspice if you enjoy a little more warmth in your muffins!
