Simply Pumpkin Muffins Recipe
Meet your new favorite fall treat: Simply Pumpkin Muffins! These delightful muffins are everything you crave on a crisp autumn day, boasting cozy spices, a tender crumb, and the perfect balance of sweetness. Whether you’re pairing them with your morning coffee or sneaking one as an afternoon pick-me-up, Simply Pumpkin Muffins deliver the nostalgic flavors of pumpkin spice in their simplest, most delicious form.

Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in these muffins is thoughtfully chosen for flavor, moisture, and golden-brown perfection. Combined, they create a batch of Simply Pumpkin Muffins that’s impossibly fluffy yet moist, full of fragrance and color that screams fall in every bite.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure and creates a light, soft crumb that’s never dense.
- Baking soda: Gives the muffins their signature rise, ensuring they’re lofty and tender.
- Baking powder: Adds extra lift for a beautifully domed muffin top.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and makes the spices sing.
- Ground cinnamon: Infuses warmth and a classic autumn aroma no pumpkin muffin should be without.
- Ground nutmeg: Lends a subtle, nutty spice that rounds out each bite.
- Ground cloves: Brings a deep, slightly sweet intensity to the spice mix.
- Ground ginger: Adds bright, peppery notes that make the flavor pop.
- Canned pumpkin purée: Delivers moistness, natural sweetness, and unmistakable pumpkin flavor.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to that light, springy texture.
- Vegetable oil: Makes the muffins extra tender and helps them stay fresh for days.
- Brown sugar (packed): Adds rich, caramel-like sweetness and keeps the crumb moist.
- Granulated sugar: Balances flavor and ensures a pleasant sweetness throughout.
- Vanilla extract: Brings out the other flavors and adds an inviting, sweet aroma.
- Milk: Loosens the batter just enough for a perfect muffin texture.
How to Make Simply Pumpkin Muffins
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Muffin Tin
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. This ensures a steady baking environment, so your Simply Pumpkin Muffins rise perfectly every time. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease the wells with cooking spray or oil to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
Grab a medium bowl and whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and all those fragrant spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. This step disperses the leavening and spices evenly, so every muffin has the same golden hue and rich, spiced flavor.
Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin purée, eggs, vegetable oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Whisk until you have a smooth, glossy mixture. The pumpkin and sugars add moisture and flavor, creating that classic Simply Pumpkin Muffins taste you know and love.
Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and gently stir until just combined. It’s important not to overmix—the batter should be a bit lumpy. Overmixing can make your muffins tough, but stopping early ensures a light, fluffy result.
Step 5: Fill the Muffin Tin
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full. This gives them the perfect shape without overflowing. You can use an ice cream scoop or a large spoon for less mess and uniform muffins.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Slide your muffin tin into the oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes. You’ll know your Simply Pumpkin Muffins are done when a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Let them cool in the pan for five minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to finish cooling. The aroma wafting through your kitchen? Pure fall magic.
How to Serve Simply Pumpkin Muffins

Garnishes
A sprinkle of powdered sugar, a drizzle of maple glaze, or a dusting of cinnamon on top elevates these muffins and makes them extra special for guests or that cozy solo treat. You can also add a pat of butter when they’re still warm for that melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Side Dishes
Serve Simply Pumpkin Muffins alongside creamy Greek yogurt and fresh fruit for a balanced breakfast or brunch. They also pair beautifully with a cup of hot coffee, chai, or warm apple cider for the ultimate fall-inspired snack break.
Creative Ways to Present
Want to get festive? Stack your muffins on a rustic wooden platter with tiny pumpkins or autumn leaves for a beautiful centerpiece. Place them in colorful muffin wrappers or tie a few in cellophane bags as thoughtful homemade gifts for neighbors and friends.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Simply Pumpkin Muffins stay fresh and moist for several days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to enjoy them at their best, place a paper towel in the bottom of the container to absorb any moisture and keep them from getting soggy.
Freezing
To freeze, wrap cooled muffins individually in plastic wrap then store them in a freezer bag. They keep well for up to three months—meaning you can always have a taste of autumn handy! Thaw at room temperature or warm in the microwave whenever you crave a treat.
Reheating
For that fresh-baked taste, pop a muffin in the microwave for 10–15 seconds, or warm several on a baking sheet in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes. This revives their lovely texture and amplifies those toasty fall flavors.
FAQs
Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned purée?
Absolutely! Be sure to cook and thoroughly drain your fresh pumpkin before mashing it into a smooth purée. The result might be a bit lighter in color, but the muffins will still be fantastic and full of real pumpkin flavor.
What mix-ins work best with Simply Pumpkin Muffins?
Chocolate chips and chopped pecans or walnuts are excellent choices for texture and added flavor. You can even stir in dried cranberries for a little tangy twist or top each muffin with pumpkin seeds for crunch.
Can I make these muffins gluten-free?
Definitely! Just substitute your favorite one-to-one gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour. The muffins will turn out deliciously soft and still pack all the flavors you love.
Why did my muffins turn out dense?
Dense muffins are often the result of overmixing the batter or using expired baking soda or baking powder. Stir just until combined, and always make sure your leaveners are fresh for that perfect, fluffy crumb.
How do I keep Simply Pumpkin Muffins moist?
The pumpkin and oil in this recipe do wonders for moisture, but storing your muffins in an airtight container and not overbaking are key to keeping them soft. If you’re adding mix-ins, keep them limited to avoid a dry result.
Final Thoughts
Give Simply Pumpkin Muffins a try, and watch how quickly they disappear from the kitchen counter! This recipe is all about celebrating cozy flavors with minimal fuss, and whether you keep them classic or add your favorite mix-ins, you’re guaranteed a batch of bakery-worthy muffins every single time.
Print
Simply Pumpkin Muffins Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Simply Pumpkin Muffins are a delightful treat for fall mornings. Moist, flavorful, and easy to make, they are perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup canned pumpkin purée
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a muffin tin.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and spices.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix pumpkin, eggs, oil, sugars, vanilla, and milk.
- Combine and Bake: Gently mix dry ingredients into wet, fill muffin cups, and bake for 18–22 minutes.
- Cool and Serve: Let muffins cool in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Add chocolate chips or chopped nuts for variation.
- These muffins freeze well and stay moist for days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 13g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg