 |
You guys. I just CAN’T wait any longer.
To me, pumpkin knows no seasons. I sorta kinda eat it all year round if I can find it. :)
Pumpkin + vanilla Greek yogurt + pinch of cinnamon = best fruit dip ever in my world. My mom’s pumpkin pie is legendary. Hands down my favorite fall food EVER. Pumpkin bread, pumpkin & peanut butter (trust me), pumpkin cream cheese anything, pumpkin oatmeal, pumpkin pie milkshakes (!!!)… I could go on forever.
When I see it on the shelves, I stock up. I’m a pumpkin hoarder. So, I’m excited to bring you my first pumpkin recipe of the season.
Itty bitty teeny tiny baby pumpkin muffins coated in cinnamon sugar.
Kind of like a cross between a muffin and a donut. A muffin donut hole, if you will. Except these are whole wheat and are baked, not fried.
I’ve seen 4398579 pumpkin muffins all over the web, cookbooks, magazines etc. I based my recipe off of my Nutella Stuffed Cinnamon Sugar Muffins. And it was a fine choice, I must say.
The pumpkin flavor is front and center. They’re a little dense, but not “heavy” tasting. The melted butter, pumpkin, & 2 egg yolks lend an incredible amount of moisture too.
What’s most important about this recipe is that you make sure to use 100% pure pumpkin, not canned pumpkin pie filling! Libby’s is my favorite. 
The muffins aren’t TOO sweet, which is why I dumped them in cinnamon sugar, obviously.
They also looked a tad naked without it. I had to find them a cute outfit!
Cinnamon sugar is always a necessity, if you ask me. 
Bite-sized treats always just seem to taste better, no? I threw some into a baggie and had them at work for breakfast this week with my Keurig pumpkin spice coffee.
I’m welcoming fall flavors with open arms.
Makes 20-24 mini muffins. Muffins taste best served warm. A pumpkin latte to enjoy alongside is optional!
Ingredients
- 1 and 3/4 cup white-whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 1 and 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 and 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 2 Tbsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Spray mini muffin tin with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, and nutmeg. Set aside. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar. Add the egg and stir for about 1 minute. Add the vanilla, pumpkin puree, and milk. Slowly pour wet ingredients into the dry. Stir together until just combined - do NOT overmix.
- Using a small spoon, spoon the batter into the muffin tins, about 2/3 way full. For ease, I used a small spoon sprayed with nonstick spray so that the batter easily fell off the spoon into the tin without using my fingers.
- Bake for 12-13 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. While the muffins are cooling, make the coating. Combine the sugar and cinnamon a small dish. In a separate small dish, melt the butter. Once the muffins are relatively cool, dip into the melted butter and then into the cinnamon sugar.
Notes
Recipe Source: sallysbakingaddiction.com
© Sally’s Baking Addiction. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or link back to this post for the recipe.
Here are a few of my related recipes:
Nutella Stuffed Cinnamon Sugar Muffins
Peach Pie Muffins with Brown Butter Glaze (a personal favorite!)
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars
Mini Powdered Sugar Donuts Muffins
What are your favorite ways to enjoy pumpkin?
These muffins stand a good chance next to my all-time favorite pumpkin pie!
Here is my favorite version of Pumpkin Pie:
{ 64 comments… read them below or add one }
OMG Sally!!! These just made my morning! It totally feels like fall this morning in Boston, and just seeing this made it feel even more like autumn! Love it!
~Cathy~
I am having them for breakfast again today! It is cold and rainy in Baltimore- perfect!! Hope you enjoy them!
I’m with you. Pumpkin is good at any time of year.
These look fantastic & a must try!
Sue, pumpkin is a year-round food for me.
Glad you agree!
Fantastic! And they don’t contain 80-bagillion cups of sugar! Probably making these now for breakfast.
Yeah! I figured they were semi-healthy because of that lol! Thanks Kimberlee- I hope you enjoy them for breakfast!
I was having no qualms about welcoming fall with open arms, party streamers and confetti. But now I’m even more eager for it–these muffins look SO perfect, Sally! I can’t resist cinnamon sugar-anything, so these muffins and the Nutella ones were right up my alley. And hello, a muffin-and-donut-hole-hybrid? Amazeballs!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel recently posted..Funfetti Sugar Cookies
Thanks Hayley! I knew you’d love these. I love donut holes and the whole baked-donut-mini-muffin thing is so much fun to play around with! So glad you like them!!
Fall is my favorite time of year! And I adore anything with pumpkin! These look so tasty!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. recently posted..Raspberry Peach Lemonade
Summer used to be my favorite time of year but I will be embracing the fall this year! I can’t wait.
Sally! Put that pumpkin away. It’s still summer!
And this, coming from the person who woke up and just HAD to make apple fritters and I could not possibly wait for apple season to actually get here. Had to make them. And they were awesome. And I do not regret it. So um, yeah, fall baking is here! Woohoo. 
Love that these are whole wheat. And they look way better with their cute outfit you found for them. Good call!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking recently posted..Honey Sweetened Strawberry Blueberry Jam (pectin free)
Erin – thank you so much! I couldn’t resist. The pumpkin baking had to ensue sooner or later. Apple Fritters… sounds incredible! I hope you post those on your blog because I know I’ll be mouthwatering!
I know, I know. I’m just sad the fruit is going away soon! I bet I’ll go to the store tomorrow and it’ll all be gone and I’ll cry and then come home and make a bunch of stuff with pumpkin. Haha. Only three tiny fritters were successful (I had the oil too hot) but they were SO good. And totally whole grain. I was shocked. I’ll make them again soon and post them!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking recently posted..Honey Sweetened Strawberry Blueberry Jam (pectin free)
I seriously LOVE apple fritters! Haven’t had one in years!
Those are so cute! And the cinnamon sugar is definitely a must. I too love pumpkin and am looking forward to fresh pumpkins hitting the farmers’ markets and grocery stores. Fresh shredded pumpkin makes the best baked goods. I have a muffin recipe that is out of this world. I make is as many times as possible while I can get my hands on pumpkins and freeze them so I don’t run out too soon.
Laura Dembowski recently posted..Salted Caramel Cupcakes
Thanks Laura – freezing actual pumpkin puree is a genius idea! I used the canned pumpkin and I definitely stock up when I see it on the shelves! I love it.
how about pumpkin funnel cake?!! We had one at a local fair & it was the best! With powdered sugar on it of course!
Trudi- wow! Pumpkin funnel cake sounds INCREDIBLE! Ahh I have never made a funnel cake before but I feel like pumpkin would be my #1 choice!
I love mini versions of anything….they are always cuter
I eat pumpkin at any given time of the year, also!
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes recently posted..Coconut Crusted French Toast
I’m right there with you when it comes to pumpkin love! Already made one dish, waiting to share though after I empty out my queue of other treats
Aimee @ ShugarySweets recently posted..Vanilla Bean Cupcakes and a Baby Shower!
I can’t wait to see all of your pumpkin recipes Aimee!!
I just found your blog on foodgawker and so happy! I love finding new blogs that are as pretty as yours and you have a ton of great recipes! Super excited to start following
Ashley- SO SO happy you found my blog! Thank you for the compliments.
Let me know if you bake anything!
Girl. Freaking out here. First, you just described perfection: ” They’re a little dense, but not “heavy” tasting. The melted butter, pumpkin, & 2 egg yolks lend an incredible amount of moisture too.” YES!!! That is EXACTLY what I want, a dense donut, almost, like the densest banana/pupmkin bread but in donut hole form. I hate that cakey light donut vibe (you know me and baking powder) and these look denser, and just so perfect.
Next, I too have seen 89898099 recipes for similar items on Pinterest. So much that I went to SIX grocery stores in Aruba last week and had a recipe LIKE THIS bookmarked that was to be my jumping off point next week back home. You read my mind.
And “cute outfit” indeed
I LOVE THESE!!!!
Averie @ Averie Cooks recently posted..Banana Bread with Vanilla Browned Butter Glaze
P.S. love the lack of any baking soda or powder!! yes!
and the fact that it’s a no creaming, beating, or fussing with ingredients recipe. A dump, stir, ‘n bake. The best kind of recipe
Averie @ Averie Cooks recently posted..Banana Bread with Vanilla Browned Butter Glaze
I am so silly. I forgot to add in the BP to the ingredient list. Averie, your watchful eye is a life-saver. So yes, I know you aren’t a fan but I had to use a leavening agent to make these puppies fluff up.
I’m so glad you like these!!! The texture of these muffins was perfect. Moist & rich without being “heavy.” They were light and I loved how I didn’t have to use too much sugar in the actual muffin recipe. I can’t wait to see what kind of pumpkin recipe you come up with back home!!
Hooray! Pumpkin season is here. These muffins are so cute. What a great idea to dip them in cin/sugar topping!
Yum!
luv what you do recently posted..All About Me…
I’m totally ready for fall baking, and pumpkin is my all-time favorite. And I’m with you: I’m a total pumpkin hoarder. I mean, what happens if I can’t find it at some point, or there’s a pumpkin shortage?? I’ve got to make it through the season (um, YEAR) fully stocked. And these muffins look amazing! I just bought some pumpkin spice coffee this weekend, and with these muffins, I’ll be ready to go!
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl recently posted..Spiced Peach and Carrot Bread
I always have at least 4 cans in the pantry at all times! I hoard them lol!
Okay. I think between you and Jocelyn today I’m convinced. I need to make something pumpkin NOW. These have me totally drooling Sally!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted..Butter Pecan Cake Kettle Corn {Sundays with Joy}
Aaaaaaaa! I’m so happy to see pumpkin stuff! I’m chomping at the bit for fall!
Sally @ Spontaneous Hausfrau recently posted..(Baked) Homemade Potato Chips
you and me the same, Sally! We have a name and a love for pumpkin in common
These look soooo good! It is really hard to get pumpkin canned here (in Australia). But I love pumpkin recipes too!
Jess recently posted..Walking – the underestimated/ overlooked exercise!
Jess, we have a love for pumpkin in common! I would be so sad without canned pumpkin. Maybe you could try using fresh purreed pumpkin instead?
Yay for fun pumpkin baking already!!! I am so happy to see that others couldn’t wait to start sharing the goodness!! Cinnamon sugar is always the perfect outfit for cute little baked goods!!! Dense muffins happen to be my favorite kind:-)
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life recently posted..Pumpkin Oreo Donuts
I am so looking forward to all these fun pumpkin and apple recipes….my fav fall flavors. My boys will love these for breakfast.
That’s great to hear! I hope you make and enjoy them Angela!
i’m a pumpkin addict too! these sound amazing.
Sarah K. @ The Pajama Chef recently posted..Peaches and Cream Pancakes
Can’t wait to make these. Fall is coming early in our house. Though my hubby wants summer to last a little longer haha :0)
I am a pumpkin lover too Sally! Truth be known I still have pumpkin from last winter that’s good. These look so scrumptious! Love, love, love the cinnamon sugar topping.
Reeni recently posted..Jalapeño Popper Chicken Chili Soup with Bacon
We have a love for pumpkin and fruity desserts in common Reeni
I came SO close to buying pumpkin in the store the other day but thought it was too soon — now that you’ve gone ahead with it, I’m not afraid, ha! There’s just something so comforting about pumpkin muffins — love these minis!
Liz (Little Bitty Bakes) recently posted..Banana Nut Granola (+Florida Details)
It’s never too soon, Liz! Go for the pumpkin
This is the best fall recipe I’ve seen so far! Pinning and can’t wait to try!
best fall recipe so far!? That is high praise! Thank you so much Nicky!
These are the BEST looking muffins I’ve seen! I cannot wait to start my fall baking list:) these will be at the top.
Heather@French Press recently posted..The BEST Brandy BBQ Sauce
That is high praise, Heather! Thank you so much! I hope you make them
They look so good!
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie recently posted..Review: OXO Cherry Pitter & Roasted Cherry Brownie Cheesecake
Pumpkin muffins are always yummy. Yours look delicious. My favorite way to enjoy pumpkin is in soup. http://www.akawest.com/2011/10/pumpkin-soup.html
Lisa @akawest recently posted..Chewy Almond Cookies
I’ve never had pumpkin soup! looks incredible Lisa! Thank you for saying hi
How did I miss these?? Well, I’m glad I see them now
you’re right, mini baked goods are the best. Can’t resist them! And that cinnamon sugar topping is just the perfect addition to an already yummy looking muffin. Yum!
Back For Seconds recently posted..Cheesy Chicken and Spinach Roll-Ups
Thanks Stephanie! The cinnamon sugar puts them over the top… the best part
O my goodness! Everything looks so good! Especially the cinnamon-pumpkin muffins! Great job! Would love if you’d join our Countdown to Fall link party! Hope to see you there! Have a great day!
http://dixie-n-dottie.blogspot.com/2012_09_03_archive.html
I saw this recipe yesterday, and it’s all I could think about. I even dreamt about them last night! So I am making these this morning! yay! I can’t wait!
Omg pinned these. I want now!
Erika recently posted..Easy Wheat Challah
Hi again Erika! thanks for the pin
These look fab, Sally! I’m making a batch of these for the kiddos to munch on @ our family “day before thanksgiving” lunch!
Ashley – Baker by Nature recently posted..Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs and Spaghetti Squash Marinara
Let me know how they turn out Ashley! I love these muffins. I haven’t made them in awhile though!
I’ve made these before, and they were awesome
I’m planning on making them again very, very soon, except using mashed banana instead of pumpkin to make banana spice mini muffins! One thing I noticed, though – in the ingredients, you only call for one egg, but in the instructions, you call for egg yolks as well.
Sally, I LOVE your blog so much, I read it almost religiously, xoxo
Hey Sharon! Wow, thank you for correcting that! How have I gone so long without noticing that? And I love your idea of the banana spice mini muffins! I might need to try that on my own one time.
I love these mini muffins! I’m so happy you love my blog and find joy reading it. Thanks Sharon!
I just made these and added mini cinnamon chips. Oh my word, they are to die for! Thanks for the recipe!
Hey Annie! I just LOVE your idea of adding mini cinnamon chips! I’ve never seen mini ones before. I need to try to find them.
Super yum!! Made these yesterday for breakfast — they’re all gone! I wonder if banana could be substituted for the pumpkin — the consistency is about the same. I have some super ripe bananas right now – I might give it a shot! Keep the yummy recipes coming!
{ 9 trackbacks }