Pumpkin Streusel Muffins Recipe

Pumpkin Streusel Muffins are a delicious, fall-inspired treat that combines the rich, spiced flavor of pumpkin with the sweetness of a cinnamon-sugar streusel topping. These muffins are soft, moist, and filled with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. The added streusel creates a satisfying crunch on top, making each bite irresistible. Perfect for a cozy breakfast, snack, or dessert, these muffins will quickly become a seasonal favorite.

Why You’ll Love Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

1. Moist and Flavorful: The pumpkin adds moisture and a subtle sweetness, making these muffins incredibly tender.
2. Perfect for Fall: With pumpkin and warm spices, these muffins bring the flavors of fall into every bite.
3. Streusel Topping: The cinnamon sugar streusel adds a delightful crunch and extra sweetness.
4. Versatile: Enjoy them for breakfast, as a snack, or even as a dessert. They’re perfect for coffee breaks or holiday gatherings.
5. Easily Customizable: You can add nuts, chocolate chips, or raisins for additional texture and flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Muffin Tin

1. Preheat the Oven
   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures that the muffins bake evenly and get that golden-brown color.
2. Prepare the Muffin Tin
   • Line your muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease each cup with butter or cooking spray. This will make it easier to remove the muffins once they’re baked.

Step 2: Make the Streusel Topping

1. Combine Dry Ingredients
   • In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. These ingredients form the base of your streusel topping.
2. Cut in the Butter
   • Add the 1/4 cup cold butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingers, work the butter into the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. The butter should be small and pea-sized.
3. Add Nuts (Optional)
   • If you’re using nuts for extra crunch, fold in 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts into the streusel mixture. This adds flavor and texture to the topping.
4. Set the Streusel Aside
   • Set the bowl of streusel aside while you prepare the muffin batter. The streusel will be added later as the topping for the muffins.

Step 3: Prepare the Muffin Batter

1. Combine Dry Ingredients
   • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 1 1/2 cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon cloves, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. These ingredients will form the base of the muffin batter and provide the structure and flavor.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients
   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1 cup pumpkin puree, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup brown sugar. The oil ensures the muffins stay moist, while the pumpkin puree provides flavor and texture.
3. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
   • Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the muffins dense. The batter should be thick and slightly lumpy.
4. Add Milk
   • Stir in 1/4 cup milk to loosen the batter slightly. The milk adds moisture and makes the batter easier to work with.

Step 4: Fill the Muffin Tin

1. Spoon the Batter
   • Using a spoon or ice cream scoop, fill each muffin cup about 2/3 full with the pumpkin batter. This will give the muffins room to rise as they bake.
2. Add Streusel Topping
   • Once all the muffin cups are filled, evenly sprinkle the streusel topping over the batter in each cup. Press down gently to ensure the streusel stays on top during baking.

Step 5: Bake the Muffins

1. Bake in the Preheated Oven
   • Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. The tops should be golden brown, and the streusel should have formed a crisp, sugary topping.
2. Check for Doneness
   • If the muffins are browning too quickly but haven’t cooked through, you can cover them loosely with aluminum foil and continue baking until done.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

1. Cool the Muffins
   • Once the muffins are baked, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool in the tin for 5 minutes. This helps them set and makes them easier to remove.
2. Transfer to Cooling Rack
   • After 5 minutes, remove the muffins from the tin and place them on a cooling rack to cool completely. The streusel will harden slightly as the muffins cool, creating a crunchy topping.
3. Serve and Enjoy
   • Once the muffins are cool enough to handle, enjoy them fresh! They can be served warm or at room temperature. You can also add a dollop of butter or a drizzle of maple syrup for extra indulgence.

Tips for Perfect Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

1. Don’t Overmix the Batter
   • To avoid dense muffins, mix the batter until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough muffins.
2. Use Room Temperature Ingredients
   • Ensure your eggs, oil, and milk are at room temperature before mixing. This will help them incorporate better into the batter and create a smoother consistency.
3. Don’t Skip the Streusel
   • The streusel topping is what makes these muffins stand out! Be sure to add it for a crunchy, sweet contrast to the moist muffin.
4. Add Mix-ins
   • For extra flavor and texture, feel free to add chocolate chips, raisins, or chopped pecans into the batter before baking.
5. Make Ahead
   • These muffins can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply microwave for 10-15 seconds or warm them in the oven.

Variations of Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

1. Vegan Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
   • Substitute the eggs with flax eggs (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 3 tablespoons water per egg). Use plant-based milk and a vegan butter alternative.
2. Gluten-Free Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
   • Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check that the other ingredients (like the baking powder and baking soda) are gluten-free as well.
3. Pumpkin Spice Streusel Muffins
   • If you love the flavor of pumpkin spice, add 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice to the dry ingredients in place of the cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
4. Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
   • Stir in 1/2 cup chocolate chips to the muffin batter for an extra indulgent treat.
5. Healthy Pumpkin Streusel Muffins
   • Replace the vegetable oil with applesauce or Greek yogurt for a lighter version. You can also use honey or maple syrup in place of refined sugar.

How to Serve Pumpkin Streusel Muffins

1. For Breakfast
   • Serve with a warm cup of coffee or tea for a comforting fall breakfast. You can also pair them with a bowl of oatmeal or fruit for a balanced meal.
2. As a Snack
   • These muffins are perfect for a midday snack. Pack them in a lunchbox or bring them to work for an easy, sweet pick-me-up.
3. For Dessert
   • Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for a simple yet indulgent dessert.
4. At a Party
   • These muffins are great for gatherings. Serve them at a brunch or potluck for a seasonal treat that everyone will love.

Conclusion

Pumpkin Streusel Muffins are a fall favorite that brings the flavors of autumn into every bite. With a soft, moist pumpkin base and a crunchy, sweet streusel topping, these muffins are perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert. Their versatility, ease of preparation, and comforting taste make them a must-try during the pumpkin season. Enjoy these muffins fresh, or make a batch to enjoy all week long!

Yield: 12 Muffins

Pumpkin Streusel Muffins Recipe

Print

Pumpkin Streusel Muffins are a delicious, fall-inspired treat that combines the rich, spiced flavor of pumpkin with the sweetness of a cinnamon-sugar streusel topping. These muffins are soft, moist, and filled with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. The added streusel creates a satisfying crunch on top, making each bite irresistible. Perfect for a cozy breakfast, snack, or dessert, these muffins will quickly become a seasonal favorite.

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Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Ingredients

• For the Muffins:
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
• 2 large eggs
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup buttermilk (or milk)
• For the Streusel Topping:
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the Oven
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
   Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease with cooking spray.
   
2. Step 2: Make the Streusel Topping
   In a small bowl, combine ½ cup flour, ¼ cup brown sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
   Add the cold, cubed butter. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
   
3. Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
   In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, granulated sugar, brown sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
   Add the buttermilk and whisk again until well incorporated.
   
4. Step 4: Mix the Dry Ingredients
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.
   Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
   
5. Step 5: Fill the Muffin Tin
   Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each about ¾ of the way full.
   Sprinkle a generous amount of streusel topping over each muffin.
   
6. Step 6: Bake the Muffins
   Bake the muffins for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
   Let the muffins cool in the tin for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

• For Extra Moisture: You can add ½ cup of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the batter for added moisture and richness.
• Toppings: For extra flavor, drizzle with a glaze made from powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk after they’ve cooled, or serve with a dollop of whipped cream.