Pumpkin Spice Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel: A Cozy Fall Treat
As soon as the temperatures starts to drop in fall, I dive right into baking mode. There’s nothing better than turning on the oven and filling the kitchen with delicious smells when there’s a chill in the air. These Pumpkin Spice Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel are always one of the first things I bake in the fall. Adapted from A Cozy Kitchen’s apple cider doughnut muffins, they’re packed with pumpkin, perfectly spiced with warm autumn flavors, and topped with a crunchy cinnamon streusel. Not overly sweet, these muffins strike the perfect balance between indulgence and simplicity, making them ideal for breakfast, a snack, or a cozy dessert.
If you love fall baking as much as I do I’d highly recommend making the original apple cider doughnut muffins! They are super delicious too!
Why You’ll Love These Muffins
Full of Pumpkin Goodness
These muffins are loaded with real pumpkin purée, giving them a moist, tender crumb and a rich, earthy flavor. Pumpkin not only adds natural sweetness but also makes these muffins a great source of vitamins and fiber.
Perfectly Spiced
The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves gives these muffins that classic pumpkin spice flavor. It’s warm and comforting, without being overpowering, making each bite feel like fall in a muffin.
Not Too Sweet
Unlike some pumpkin spice treats, these muffins are just sweet enough to feel indulgent without being cloying. The balance of flavors allows the natural sweetness of the pumpkin to shine through, while the streusel adds a delightful crunch.
That Streusel Topping!
Speaking of the streusel, it’s the star of the show. Made with just 4 ingredients, the streusel bakes into a crispy, crumbly topping that perfectly complements the soft, spiced muffins. It adds texture and an extra layer of flavor that makes these muffins irresistible.
Ingredient Notes
Pumpkin Purée. Be sure to use plain pumpkin purée, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added sugar and spices.
Spices. Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves create the perfect blend of warm fall flavors. If you prefer a shortcut, you can use pre-made pumpkin spice.
Neutral Oil. Keeps the muffins moist without overpowering the flavor. I used vegetable oil but you can also use your favorite neutral oil of choice.
Tips for Success
- Don’t Overmix the Batter: Stir the batter just until the dry ingredients are incorporated. Overmixing can lead to tough, dense muffins.
- Rest the batter for 20 minutes: Resting the batter is key for tall bakery-style muffins. You can skip it, but you won’t get such beautifully domed muffins.
- Use Fresh Spices: For the best flavor, make sure your spices are fresh. Spices lose their potency over time, so check the expiration dates before you start baking.
More Pumpkin Recipes
Pumpkin Spice Muffins with Cinnamon Streusel
Ingredients
Muffin Batter
- 1 ¼ c pumpkin puree
- 1 ¼ c white sugar
- ½ c canola oil or other neutral oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 c all purpose flour 240 g
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground ginger
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ⅛ tsp ground clove
- ½ tsp fine sea salt
Cinnamon Streusel
- ⅓ c all purpose flour 40 g
- 2 tbsp white sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- pinch fine sea salt
- 2 tbsp cold unsalted butter cut into cubes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and spray your muffin tin with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, sugar, canola oil, eggs, and vanilla.
- In a separate large bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, clove, and salt. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix until just combined, avoiding overmixing. Cover and let sit for 20 minutes.
- While the batter rests, make the streusel topping- in a small bowl mix together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Add the butter and use your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until coarse crumbs form.
- Divide the muffin batter evenly among the muffin tin. Top each muffin with a handful of the streusel topping.
- Transfer to the oven and bake for 20-22 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the center of the muffin comes out clean.
This was just the autumnal taste I was look for! I love the combination of textures