Description
Delightfully moist and flavorful Frosty Top Butternut Squash Muffins made with smooth butternut squash puree, warm spices, and a light crunchy topping. Perfect for breakfast or a healthy snack, these muffins combine a tender crumb with a hint of sweetness and nutty texture from chopped walnuts or pecans. Enjoy these seasonal treats that bring a cozy autumn vibe to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups cooked butternut squash puree (about 1 small butternut squash)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
Toppings & Add-ins
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 2 tablespoons coarse sugar (like turbinado or raw sugar)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract for added flavor.
- Incorporate Butternut Squash Puree: Mix in the cooked butternut squash puree until evenly combined with the wet ingredients.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined — do not overmix.
- Add Nuts (Optional): If using, gently fold in the chopped walnuts or pecans to distribute throughout the batter.
- Prepare Muffin Tin: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease well to prevent sticking.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
- Add Topping: In a small bowl, mix the coarse sugar and 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Sprinkle this mixture generously over the tops of each muffin for a crunchy, sweet crust.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. The muffins are done when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- You can substitute the butternut squash puree with pumpkin puree if desired.
- Use plant-based milk to make the recipe dairy-free.
- Chopped nuts are optional but add a nice texture contrast; feel free to omit or substitute with seeds for a nut-free version.
- Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Coarse sugar topping adds a pleasant crunch but can be omitted if preferred.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American