The Unlikely Baker

Easy and Delicious Recipes for the Home Baker!

Pumpkin Pecan Muffins with Pecan Streusel Topping

by Jolina 49 Comments [This site contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See Terms of Use for more information.]

Pumpkin pecan muffins are a delicious way to start the day! With bits of crunchy pecans mixed in with the batter and a delightful pecan streusel topping, it’s a muffin especially made for a lovely fall morning.

Pumpkin Pecan Muffins with Pecan Streusel Topping

Hello everyone! Welcome to my first ever pumpkin recipe on TUB.

I have a few more pumpkin recipes now (check out my no-bake pumpkin cheesecake — it’s the easiest Thanksgiving dessert ever, or my pumpkin buttermilk pancakes for a special breakfast treat) but this was the recipe that started my obsession with all things pumpkin spice.

Easy pumpkin muffin recipe

Pumpkin Pecan Muffins with Pecan Streusel Topping

This site contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. See Terms of Use for more information.

The recipe for these pumpkin muffins came from the basic muffin recipe in the Joy of Cooking (this is an awesome book. Highly recommended).

I just pimped it out with spices, pumpkin puree and the most delicious pecan streusel topping (more on that later).

I was very careful not to overdo the spices in this muffin though.

While I wanted it to taste very…fall-y…I didn’t want the spices to steal the show and overshadow everything else. You can add more if you like it spicier.

Pecan streusel topping for muffins

Pumpkin Pecan Muffins with Pecan Streusel Topping

That topping though. That’s the star of this muffin show.

It’s not overly sweet, it’s the right amount of sticky and it goes so well with the pumpkin pecan muffin it sits on.

And you can use it not just on muffins but on cakes and pies too. It will make your baked goods that much better.

How to bake pumpkin pecan muffins

Pumpkin Pecan Muffins with Pecan Streusel Topping

This site contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn commission from qualifying purchases. See Terms of Use for more information.

So how do you make these pumpkin pecan crumble muffins? (For the detailed recipe, scroll to the bottom of the page to find a printable recipe card.)

1. COMBINE INGREDIENTS FOR PECAN STREUSEL TOPPING. In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients for your pecan streusel topping until clumpy: rolled oats, brown sugar, melted butter, chopped pecans, salt and ground cinnamon. Set aside.


2. PREP MUFFIN PAN. When that’s done, preheat your oven to 400F. Prep a muffin pan by lining it with paper liners (this recipe makes 12 muffins).

3. MIX YOUR DRY INGREDIENTS. In large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, ground ginger and ground allspice until fully combined.

4. MIX YOUR WET INGREDIENTS. In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk, sugar, melted butter, vanilla extract and pumpkin puree until smooth and thoroughly incorporated. Stir in pecans.


5. COMBINE WET AND DRY INGREDIENTS. Add the pumpkin mixture to the flour mixture and mix by hand until just combined. Once you see the dry ingredients are moistened and no big patches of flour remain you’re good. This should not take more than 20 seconds. Your batter will be lumpy and not smooth.

6. TRANSFER TO PREPARED PAN. Evenly divide the batter into your muffin cups. Fill at least 2/3 full or almost to the rim. Sprinkle about a heaping tablespoon of your prepared streusel topping on each muffin.

7. BAKE UNTIL READY. Bake for 15-17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of a muffin (or muffins) comes out with minimal crumbs.

8. COOL AND ENJOY! Allow the muffins to cool slightly in the pan (2-3 minutes). Best served warm.

How to make rounded, sturdy pumpkin pecan muffins

Pumpkin Pecan Muffins with Pecan Streusel Topping

My main challenge when baking muffins is how to get those nice rounded tops.

I’ve had many a muffin sink to the very centre of the earth. We still ate them; they just looked very sad.

I learned that the key is not to over mix the batter. If you’ve been mixing for 30 seconds, you’ve done it too long.

You’re not looking for a smooth batter but a really lumpy one so that when you scoop it onto your muffin liners they plop onto the liners like a blob and don’t flow like cake batters usually do.

I hope you enjoy these pumpkin pecan muffins. Especially the pecan streusel topping. They are delicious.

And guess what, this is super quick to whip up and is great for Thanksgiving morning!

More desserts perfect for Friendsgiving and Thanksgiving

Are you hosting Friendsgiving, Thanksgiving or any kind of get-together this season? Here are other fantastic desserts that are impressive as they are delicious (and just between the two us, they are so easy to make too).

 

Pumpkin Pecan Muffins with Pecan Streusel Topping

Pumpkin Pecan Muffins with Pecan Streusel Topping

Pumpkin pecan muffins are a delicious way to start the day! Bits of crunchy pecans in the batter, a delightful pecan streusel topping. It’s a muffin especially made for a lovely fall morning.
5 from 8 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: North American
Keyword: Easy, Fall, Thanksgiving
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Servings: 12 muffins
Calories: 383kcal
Author: Jolina

Ingredients

For the Pecan Streusel Topping:

  • 1/4 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
  • 1/2 cup roughly chopped pecans
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

For the Pumpkin Pecan Muffins:

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp ground allspice
  • 2 pcs large eggs room temperature
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree I used canned
  • 1 cup roughly chopped pecans
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, combine all the ingredients for your pecan streusel topping until clumpy. Set aside.
  • Preheat your oven to 400F. Prep a muffin pan by lining it with paper liners.
  • In large bowl, whisk 2 cups flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ginger and 1/2 teaspoon allspice until fully combined.
  • In another bowl, whisk 2 large eggs, 1 cup milk, 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup melted butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 cup pumpkin puree until smooth and thoroughly incorporated. Stir in a cup of pecans.
  • Add the pumpkin mixture to the flour mixture and mix by hand until just combined. Once you see the dry ingredients are moistened and no big patches of flour remain you're good. This should not take more than 20 seconds. Your batter will be lumpy and not smooth.
  • Evenly divide the batter into your muffin cups. Fill at least 2/3 full or almost to the rim. Sprinkle about a heaping tablespoon of your prepared topping on each muffin. Bake for 15-17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of a muffin (or muffins) comes out with minimal crumbs.
  • Allow the muffins to cool slightly in the pan (2-3 minutes). Best served warm.

Video

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Happy baking!

Did you make pumpkin pecan muffins? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below. And check out this collection of recipes featuring creative and tasty squash and pumpkin recipes.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Jolina says

    I started teaching myself how to bake because I was so homesick! And it was so difficult to find the treats I was missing from home. It’s been quite the journey 🙂

    Reply

  4. Sajad Ahmad Mir says

    I will definitely try this recipe as my family love pumpkin dishes, so I will try to make this dish s well when I will get time.

    Reply

  5. Ant says

    I look forward to making these next weekend. Love the topping too. Didn’t realize you had to do that with the butter.

    Reply

  7. Brianne says

    These look and sound SO good! And so perfect for fall. I’ve been in the baking mood lately, I may need to give them a try!

    Reply

  8. David Elliott says

    I am always looking for new recipes to do around Thanksgiving because I love to try new food. This recipe sold me. I am definitely going to try this one out on Thanksgiving with my daughter.

    Reply

    • Jolina says

      Awesome! This would be perfect for Thanksgiving morning or Black Friday, before all the madness happens 🙂 Hope you guys like it!

      Reply

  10. Jess says

    I can honestly say I’ve never tried a pumpkin muffin. I’m supposed to be carving pumpkins this weekend though so maybe I could make these as a little treat for all our work! They look absolutely delicious!

    Reply

    • Jolina says

      Hope you have a wonderful time! I wasn’t sure if you were planning to use your carved pumpkins but thought I’d mention: those large pretty pumpkins sold for carving in the States for Halloween are still edible, but they are not as good as the pumpkins specifically grown for eating 🙂 In any case, enjoy!

      Reply

  11. Claire says

    5 stars
    Omgosh, you just made me so hungry! That pumpkin pecan muffin is literally everything. It’s weird – I love muffins but I didn’t eat for a good month!

    Reply

  13. Jajwalya says

    Joy of Cooking is a gorgeous book right from the days of Julie and Julia movie! I love food books, movies and blogs and this cupcakes looked scrumptious!
    Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  14. Dawn says

    I can’t believe that this is your first pumpkin recipe on the blog?? What?! Well, girl, you’ve hit it out of the park cos these muffins look amaze balls! And that pecan streusel topping on its own sounds so good….gotta love the streusel….someone should bottle that up and sell as a treat on it’s own 🙂 Have a fab weekend, my friend!

    Reply

  16. Kiley D. Smith says

    Oh, these look so delicious and perfect for Fall! I am definitely putting these on my list of recipes to make this month and next! Thank you!

    Reply

  19. Denay DeGuzman says

    These gorgeous Pumpkin Pecan Muffins look absolutely stunning. I can almost smell their sweetness and taste their awesome flavor. Thanks so much for sharing this special fall recipe.

    Reply

  20. Pam says

    These are very different from what I usually make and I love that. I can’t wait to make these this month when we have company coming. I am sure they will go over well.

    Reply

  22. Lorelai says

    Oh, wow, do these pumpkin pecan muffins look and sound delicious! I bet your house smelled amazing while they were baking.

    Reply

  24. Ali Rost says

    5 stars
    These are my new “go to” pumpkin muffins! I made them this afternoon for my husband and he loved them. The only thing he requested was a little sprinkle of mini chocolate chips on top! Thanks for this wonderful recipe!

    Reply

  26. jhilmil says

    I think I would add roasted cashew as well along with pecans as a topping, as my son loves cashews. Simple and delicious muffin!

    Reply

  28. Annemarie LeBlanc says

    Your pumpkin cupcakes looks so divine! I was drooling over the photos! I am not very good at baking, and frosting just does not come out right. I love your recipe because it does not call for frosting. I will try my best to make some. Hopefully I can get it to look as pretty as yours.

    Reply

  29. Heather Johnson says

    I am all about pumpkin this time of year, and I love love LOVE pecans. Your pumpkin pecan muffins sound amazing for cooler fall weather! Yummers!

    Reply

  36. Zarina says

    Oh my gosh, I love everything pumpkin and these look SO delicious! I’m definitely given them a try this season, thanks for the fab recipe 🙂

    Reply

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