Pumpkin Muffins with Maple Pecan Glaze

These muffins are the ultimate pumpkin muffins! They have a soft cake-like texture and a deep, warm pumpkin flavor that is the perfect balance to the sweetness of the muffin. The maple pecan glaze adds a delicious crunch too - look no further, this is the recipe to end all pumpkin muffin recipes!

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Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes

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Why you will love these pumpkin muffins: Let's face it, we're all searching for a delicious treat to put us in the fall mood and these muffins will put a stop to your searching! The texture is like a soft cake that makes you feel like you bought these muffins from your favorite bakery. These muffins are bursting with pumpkin and pack a punch of deep flavor from cloves. Sometimes pumpkin muffins can be bland and believe me these are the total opposite.

What makes these pumpkin muffins special? As I said, I have tried a lot of pumpkin muffins (homemade and from bakeries) and so often they leave me feeling disappointed because they lacked flavor or they were dry. Let's talk about texture - we start the recipe by creaming the butter and sugar together to give rise and density to the muffin. I think the perfect muffin is when you're unsure if you're eating cake or a muffin and these definitely resemble a cake-like texture.

We need great flavor in a pumpkin muffin - These muffins are sweet enough to make you feel indulgent and enjoying something special but because we use molasses, fresh orange juice, and cloves, there is a great balance in the flavor that brings out the pumpkin. Oftentimes I have tried pumpkin recipes that are packed with too much sugar and not enough pumpkin and this recipe highlights the pumpkin and has the right amount of sugar to bring it all together. Topped with a maple pecan glaze, these pumpkin muffins will become a staple in your kitchen.

My promise: Every recipe I make and post will always be thoroughly tested, family approved and bring the joy of baking to your kitchen. Happy baking!

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Let's get baking!

Servings: 18 muffins

Ingredients:

1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter

1 1/4 cups white sugar

3 tb molasses

4 eggs

1/2 cup fresh orange juice

1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp cloves

Maple Pecan Glaze:

1/2 cup powdered sugar

3 tb pure maple syrup

1/2 cup pecans, roasted and chopped

*These muffins are also great if you decide to skip the glaze and mix in semisweet chocolate chips! Enjoy!

How to make these glorious muffins:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Roast the pecans on a baking tray for about 10 minutes. Once they start to smell toasty, they're done. Allow pecans to cool for a few minutes and chop.
   

2. Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This can be done by hand or with an electric mixer and should take a few minutes. The butter and sugar should be pale in color.
   

3. Add the molasses, eggs, orange juice, and pumpkin puree. Mix until combined.
   

4. Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon and cloves. Mix until combined.
   

5. Line a cupcake tray with cupcake liners - spray with nonstick cooking spray. Fill each muffin about 3/4 of the way to the top.
   

6. Bake for about 25-27 minutes (depending on how large you made each muffin) and check to see if they're done - the top should be set but will still be a little soft in the middle. We want them to be fully cooked but not dried out. Keep in mind, they will continue to cook while they cool.
   

7. While muffins are in the oven, combine the powdered sugar and maple syrup for the topping.
   

8. While the muffins are cooling on a rack, drizzle the maple glaze and top with the roasted pecans.
   

9. Store in an airtight container in the fridge if you want them to last a little longer - about 3-4 days for optimal deliciousness! I have frozen these muffins and they're great if you warm them up in the microwave or oven - of course fresh is always the best but it's not a bad item to have stocked in your freezer!