Save These pumpkin spice coffee cake muffins bring the comforting flavors of autumn right to your table. With a soft spiced crumb a generous cinnamon streusel and a simple vanilla glaze they capture everything I love about weekend baking when the air turns crisp.
My family devours these as soon as they cool. I first made them for a fall brunch and even the streusel crumbs disappeared. We look forward to them every October.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: gives the muffins structure and pairs well with pumpkin for a delicate crumb. Choose unbleached for a richer flavor
- Baking powder and baking soda: are essential for a high fluffy rise. Always check that they are fresh
- Salt: balances sweetness and enhances the spices
- Ground cinnamon: provides warmth and that classic autumn aroma. Reach for Saigon or Ceylon varieties for the best depth
- Ground nutmeg: adds subtle sweet nuttiness. Freshly grated is extra fragrant
- Ground ginger: brightens with gentle heat. Buy from a spice shop if possible
- Ground cloves: deliver a deep earthy base to round out the pumpkin spice flavor
- Granulated sugar: creates sweet moisture. Use superfine for a smoother batter
- Vegetable oil: keeps the crumb soft and lighter than butter
- Eggs: bind and enrich the batter. Choose large room-temperature eggs for best results
- Pumpkin puree: brings creaminess and signature pumpkin flavor. Opt for 100 percent pumpkin not pie mix
- Milk: adds tenderness. Whole milk or plant-based both work
- Vanilla extract: rounds out and enhances all the warming spices
- For Streusel: flour for light crumb brown sugar for richness cinnamon for warmth pinch of salt to balance melted unsalted butter for that classic chunky texture
- For Glaze: powdered sugar for the glossy finish milk to thin and vanilla extract for pure flavor
Instructions
- Prep Your Pan:
- Get your oven to temperature at 350 Fahrenheit and make sure your muffin tin is ready with liners or a light coating of grease to prevent sticking
- Whisk Dry Ingredients:
- In a medium bowl whisk together your flour leaveners salt and all four spices until completely blended. This ensures even spice in every bite
- Mix Wet Ingredients:
- In a separate large bowl whisk the sugar oil and eggs until the mixture looks thick and smooth. Then add in pumpkin puree milk and vanilla and keep mixing until your wet base is creamy and uniform
- Combine Wet and Dry:
- Pour the dry ingredients into the wet. Use a spatula to gently fold just until combined and you no longer see streaks of flour. Overmixing toughens muffins so stop as soon as it comes together
- Portion the Batter:
- Spoon the batter into each muffin cup so they’re about three quarters full. This lets them rise tall without overflowing
- Make the Streusel:
- In a small bowl combine your flour brown sugar cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Stir in the melted butter with a fork until you get chunky crumbs. Generously sprinkle the streusel over each muffin so every bite has crunch
- Bake:
- Slip the tin into the oven and bake for twenty to twenty two minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick—it should come out clean or with a crumb or two. Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for five minutes before moving them to a wire rack. This step prevents soggy bottoms
- Finish With Glaze:
- While the muffins cool whisk together powdered sugar a tablespoon of milk and vanilla extract until you get a smooth pourable glaze. If it is too thick add another splash of milk. Drizzle over fully cooled muffins to set
Save When I make these muffins I always smell the nutmeg before adding it because it brings me back to baking with my grandmother. Nutmeg was her favorite spice and she taught me to grate it fresh for maximum flavor. These muffins remind me of cozy mornings in her kitchen.
Storage Tips
Store leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer refrigerate for up to a week but always let them come to room temperature before serving for best texture. They can also be wrapped tightly and frozen for two months. When ready to eat just thaw at room temperature and refresh with a five second zap in the microwave if you want them warm.
Ingredient Substitutions
If you need dairy free muffins replace the milk in the batter and glaze with any plain plant based milk. Swap in melted coconut oil or canola oil for the vegetable oil if you prefer. For the streusel you can use margarine instead of butter. If you want a deeper molasses note in your muffins use dark brown sugar instead of granulated in the batter.
Serving Suggestions
Offer these for brunch with hot coffee or spiced chai. For a fun dessert try serving the muffins slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or cinnamon whipped cream. Kids love having one tucked into lunch boxes and they make an excellent grab and go breakfast on busy mornings.
Cultural and Historical Context
Pumpkin spiced baked goods have become closely tied to American autumn baking traditions. These muffins blend the classic coffee cake crumb with the warming pumpkin blend that dates back to early American colonial baking. Streusel toppings have their roots in German cakes but have been adopted widely in American kitchens for extra crunch and flavor.
Save Let pumpkin spice coffee cake muffins become your cozy autumn staple. With each batch you’ll taste homemade warmth and festive spice in every bite.
Recipe Questions
- → Can canned pumpkin puree be used?
Yes, canned or homemade pumpkin puree works as long as it's not pie filling. The texture stays moist and flavorful.
- → How do I get a crumbly streusel topping?
Use cold melted butter and mix until large crumbs form. Sprinkle evenly for best crunch and texture.
- → Is it possible to make these muffins gluten-free?
Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend. Baking time may vary, check doneness with a toothpick.
- → Can I freeze these muffins?
Absolutely. Freeze cooled muffins for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
- → What can I add for extra crunch?
Chopped toasted pecans or walnuts can be added to the streusel for added texture.
- → What spices are essential for flavor?
Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves provide classic warmth and depth in every bite.