Gingerbread Spiced Pumpkin Muffins

Featured in: Prairie Breakfasts

Gingerbread spiced pumpkin muffins offer moist texture and warming flavors by combining pumpkin puree, molasses, and aromatic spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Simple to prepare, these treats are ideal for breakfast or as a festive snack. Top with turbinado sugar for crunch, or add nuts for extra texture. Serve warm, optionally with butter or cream cheese, to highlight their comforting, fragrant character. Dairy-free and vegetarian options are easily adapted, making them a versatile baking favorite for gatherings or cozy mornings.

Updated on Mon, 27 Oct 2025 11:26:00 GMT
Moist gingerbread spiced pumpkin muffins topped with turbinado sugar for added crunch.  Pin
Moist gingerbread spiced pumpkin muffins topped with turbinado sugar for added crunch. | kitchenprairie.com

Moist, warmly spiced muffins blending pumpkin puree with classic gingerbread flavors blend together for a comforting bite that is ideal for cozy breakfasts or festive treats. These muffins bring nostalgic holiday aromas into your kitchen, with a tender crumb and a golden top.

I love baking a batch of these gingerbread spiced pumpkin muffins as the leaves start to turn outside. The spicy aroma of ginger and cloves fills my kitchen, reminding me of childhood autumn mornings at home.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: 2 cups (250 g)
  • Baking powder: 1 ½ teaspoons
  • Baking soda: ½ teaspoon
  • Salt: ½ teaspoon
  • Ground ginger: 2 teaspoons
  • Ground cinnamon: 1 ½ teaspoons
  • Ground nutmeg: ½ teaspoon
  • Ground cloves: ¼ teaspoon
  • Canned pumpkin puree: 1 cup (220 g)
  • Packed brown sugar: ⅔ cup (130 g)
  • Vegetable oil: ⅓ cup (80 ml)
  • Large eggs: 2
  • Whole milk: ⅓ cup (80 ml)
  • Molasses: ¼ cup (60 ml)
  • Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
  • Turbinado sugar or raw sugar (optional topping): 2 tablespoons

Instructions

Prepare Muffin Tin:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease it.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
Mix Wet Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, brown sugar, oil, eggs, milk, molasses, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Combine Mixtures:
Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients. Gently fold until just combined. Do not overmix.
Fill Muffin Cups:
Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups. If desired, sprinkle tops with turbinado sugar for crunch.
Bake Muffins:
Bake for 20–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
Cool Muffins:
Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Warmly spiced pumpkin muffins infused with gingerbread flavors, perfect for cozy mornings.  Pin
Warmly spiced pumpkin muffins infused with gingerbread flavors, perfect for cozy mornings. | kitchenprairie.com
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My kids love helping sprinkle sugar on top before baking. We always share these muffins together after school with hot cider for a simple autumn ritual.

Required Tools

12-cup muffin tin, mixing bowls, whisk, measuring cups and spoons, cooling rack

Allergen Information

Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (dairy). Substitute plant-based milk to make dairy-free. Always check labels for hidden allergens.

Nutritional Information

Per muffin: 195 calories, 6 g total fat, 33 g carbohydrates, 3 g protein

Gingerbread spiced pumpkin muffins cooling on a rack, exuding fall’s sweet aroma. Pin
Gingerbread spiced pumpkin muffins cooling on a rack, exuding fall’s sweet aroma. | kitchenprairie.com

Enjoy these muffins fresh out of the oven for a delightful treat or tuck one into your lunchbox for a midday pick-me-up.

Recipe Questions & Answers

How can I make these muffins dairy-free?

Substitute whole milk with unsweetened almond milk or another plant-based alternative for a dairy-free option.

Can I add nuts for texture?

Yes, stir in ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch and nutty flavor.

What creates the classic gingerbread taste?

Ground ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and a touch of molasses give the muffins their traditional gingerbread aroma.

How do I know when muffins are baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center; if it comes out clean, the muffins are ready to be cooled and enjoyed.

What can I use for a crunchy topping?

Sprinkle turbinado sugar or raw sugar on top before baking to add sweet crunch to each muffin.

Are these suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, these muffins are vegetarian-friendly and can be made dairy-free with plant-based milk.

Gingerbread Spiced Pumpkin Muffins

Moist muffins blend pumpkin and gingerbread spices for a fragrant, cozy treat ideal for breakfast or snacking.

Prep duration
15 min
Cook duration
22 min
Complete duration
37 min


Skill level Easy

Heritage American

Output 12 Portions

Diet specifications Vegetarian

Components

Dry Ingredients

01 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
03 ½ teaspoon baking soda
04 ½ teaspoon salt
05 2 teaspoons ground ginger
06 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
07 ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
08 ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

Wet Ingredients

01 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
02 ⅔ cup packed brown sugar
03 ⅓ cup vegetable oil
04 2 large eggs
05 ⅓ cup whole milk
06 ¼ cup molasses
07 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional Topping

01 2 tablespoons turbinado sugar or raw sugar

Directions

Phase 01

Prepare Oven and Tin: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly coat with nonstick spray.

Phase 02

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves until evenly blended.

Phase 03

Blend Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, thoroughly whisk pumpkin puree, brown sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, milk, molasses, and vanilla extract until smooth and homogenous.

Phase 04

Mix Batter: Add wet mixture to dry ingredients. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing for tender muffins.

Phase 05

Portion and Top: Evenly distribute batter among prepared muffin cups. Optionally, sprinkle turbinado or raw sugar over the surface for added crunch.

Phase 06

Bake: Place muffin tin in the oven and bake for 20 to 22 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean.

Phase 07

Cool: Allow muffins to cool in the tin for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Necessary tools

  • 12-cup muffin tin
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Cooling rack

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and consult with healthcare professionals if you're uncertain.
  • Contains wheat (gluten), eggs, milk (dairy; can substitute plant-based milk for dairy-free). Always verify ingredient labels for hidden allergens.

Nutrient content (each portion)

This data is offered as a general guide and isn't a substitute for professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 195
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Protein: 3 g