Description
Unwrap the magic of autumn with Pumpkin Spice Surprise Muffins! These delectable treats capture the essence of fall, filled with aromatic spices and the rich goodness of pumpkin. Perfect for both cozy mornings and afternoon indulgences, these muffins offer the warmth and comfort of homemade baking right in your kitchen. Delight your family and friends as their senses are captivated by seasonal flavors.
Ingredients
- Libby’s 100% Pure Pumpkin: 1 can (15 oz)
- Granulated Sugar: 1 cup
- Vegetable Oil: ½ cup
- Eggs: 2 large
- All-Purpose Flour: 1½ cups
- Baking Soda: 1 teaspoon
- Baking Powder: ½ teaspoon
- Salt: ½ teaspoon
- Ground Cinnamon: ½ teaspoon
- Ground Nutmeg: ½ teaspoon
- Ground Cloves: ½ teaspoon
- Ground Ginger: ½ teaspoon
- Mini Chocolate Chips (Optional): 1 cup
Instructions
Step 1: Preparation
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners. This step ensures that your muffins will bake evenly and not stick to the pan, allowing easy removal and a beautiful presentation.
Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the canned pumpkin, sugar, vegetable oil, and eggs. Mix until smooth and well-blended. This mixture forms the base of your muffins, giving them that rich pumpkin flavor and natural sweetness.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients
In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. These dry ingredients will add the structural foundation and the spicy warmth characteristic of pumpkin spice.
Step 4: Blend Mixtures
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. This gentle blending ensures a tender muffin crumb.
Step 5: Add Chocolate (Optional)
Fold in the mini chocolate chips, if using. This optional addition adds a surprising twist of sweetness that complements the spicy warmth of the muffins.
Step 6: Fill Muffin Cups
Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full. This helps the muffins rise well and acquire a nice dome shape.
Step 7: Bake
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. This baking time allows the muffins to cook through while maintaining moisture.
Step 8: Cool
Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This step prevents overcooking and helps the muffins set to perfection.
Notes
Choosing the Right Pumpkin
Ensuring you choose 100% pure pumpkin rather than pumpkin pie filling is crucial. Pumpkin pie filling contains added sugars and spices, which can alter the flavor and texture of your muffins.
Measuring Flour Properly
For the ideal texture, measure the flour accurately. Spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. This prevents dense muffins resulting from too much flour.
Spice Variations
Feel free to adjust the spices to suit your palate. For instance, increasing cinnamon while reducing cloves can provide a different flavor profile, making your muffins uniquely yours.
Chocolate Chip Considerations
When adding chocolate chips, use mini chips for better distribution throughout the muffin batter. This ensures every bite includes a delightful chocolatey surprise.
Testing Muffin Doneness
Inserting a toothpick into the center of a muffin is the best way to test doneness. If it comes out clean, your muffins are ready, but if it has batter on it, give it a bit more time.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes