A simple, one bowl recipe for pumpkin gingerbread muffins full of brown sugar, molasses, warming spices, and a hint of citrus. Perfect for cozy winter holiday breakfasts!
These flavorful pumpkin gingerbread muffins are an update to one of my favorite seasonal treats: the ever-popular spiced gingerbread muffins that I find myself baking up multiple batches of once Autumn rolls around and my kitchen becomes a blur of sugar and flour and any number of other delicious sweet things.
Thereโs a dark chocolate banana version too. Itโs one bowl recipe goodness that keeps on giving.
A couple of things I really love about this recipe: As promised, these spiced beauties come together in one big bowl, absolutely no mixer required. The batter makes a perfectly even and satisfying 12 muffins. No extra pan to wash. No awkward leftover batter or second batch to worry about, which I find very gratifying. It’s the little things…
Theyโre also packed with cozy fall spices, deep molasses notes, just the right amount of sweetness, and of course, the addition of pumpkin makes them basically a vegetable.
What you’ll love about these pumpkin gingerbread muffins
This pumpkin gingerbread muffin recipe is nearly the same as my one-bowl spiced gingerbread muffins, with the obvious substitution of pumpkin for the mashed banana. Pumpkin is a natural choice this time of year – though I truly love it year round – and pairs wonderfully with the warming holiday gingerbread spices.
I add dark molasses, dark brown sugar, and loads of cinnamon and ginger to the batter, and the result is a moist and densely-crumbed muffin with a craggly domed top, that beams with cozy caramel notes and holiday spice, a fresh hint of orange, and is a favorite winter breakfast treat around here.
For an even more indulgent sweet treat, dip the muffin tops in the vanilla maple glaze, and transform the already lovely and flavorful muffins, into something akin to a gingerbread cake doughnut.
One Bowl Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins with Maple Vanilla Glaze
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 12 Muffins 1x
Ingredients
Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- zest of half an orange (optional)
- 1–1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1/2 tsp ground cloves
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp fine grain sea salt
- 1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1/3 cup whole milk
- 1/3 cup organic cane sugar
- 1/3 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 2–1/4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
Maple Vanilla Glaze
- 1 cup confectioners (powdered) sugar, sifted
- 1–2 Tbsp milk
- 1 Tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins
- Preheat the oven to 400ยฐ F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease with butter or non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the pumpkin and egg until completely combined. Whisk in the vanilla, orange zest (if using), spices, and salt.
- Add the oil, molasses, and milk, stirring until completely combined after each addition. Add the sugars, and stir to combine.
- Add the baking powder and baking soda, and stir to combine. Fold in the flour until just mixed. Do not overbeat.
- Use a cookie scoop to divide the batter evenly between the muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
- Bake for 10 minutes at 400ยฐ F. Turn the oven temperature down to 375ยฐ F., and bake for an additional 7-9 minutes, until the muffin tops are set, and a cake tester inserted into the center of each muffin comes out clean.
- Let cool in the muffin tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a baking rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room-temperature.
Maple Vanilla Glaze (or Frosting)
- In a small bowl, stir together the powdered sugar and milk until the glaze is smooth and creamy. Stir in the maple syrup and vanilla. Add more or less milk to create a thicker/thinner consistency, if preferred.
- If glazing: While the muffins are still warm, dip the tops of each in the glaze, then place on a baking rack to cool and set.
- If frosting: Wait for the muffins to fully cool, then use a knife or small offset spatula to spread on the frosting.
Wondering if you can use pumpkin pie spice instead of adding them all individually? If so how much? Excited to try this recipe.
Sure! I’d probably try 1-1/2 tsp of pumpkin pie spice. Enjoy!!
Has anyone tried to bake this as a โcakeโ in a 9×9 pan? If so, advice for baking temp and time?
Hi Ramona! I haven’t tried these muffins as a cake, but you’ll definitely want to approach the baking time differently – with muffins we use an initial higher temp for tall muffin tops which I don’t think would translate well to a cake. I would try 350ยฐ F for 25-35 mins, but can’t guarantee results as I haven’t tested this! Please give an update if you do ๐
These are fantastic. I doubled the recipe and made 12 cupcakes and a loaf. I also added golden raisins to the batter. I made the glaze for them as well. Thank you so much!
Thanks so much, Andrea!!
these are phenomenal! so so flavorful. I subbed gf flour and oat milk, and they turned out beautifully. great recipe!
★★★★★
Thank you, Toni!! So happy to hear they turned out just as good with the gf and df subs!
I never leave comments, but I just had to tell you that these are the best! I made them so many times this fall, because they bake beautifully, taste amazing, and make your house smell divine. My absolute favorite recipe find this year. xo
★★★★★
Thank you so, so much, Lulu!! That means more than you know ๐ xo
These were great! The maple vanilla glaze went perfectly with the pumpkin spice/molasses flavor. SO GOOD.
★★★★★
Thank you so much, Sara!!
I made these with only half the sugar the recipe called for ( used brown sugar only) and they were delicious . Planning for another batch with some added raisins! This recipe is a keeper!
★★★★★
Thanks so much, Char!!
Delicious! Iโve made these several times, both with the glaze & without. We prefer without the glaze. Iโve also substituted whole wheat pastry flour which turned out perfectly.
★★★★★
Thanks so much, Angie!!
I love that these muffins takes one bowl to make, are perfectly sweet, and are a unique mashup of gingerbread and pumpkin. They are delicious and easy and best of all they are husband-approved so I will not have to eat the whole batch by myself ๐. Make these muffins!
★★★★★
Have you made this in a loaf format yet? If so for about how long do you think you would bake it for?
Hi Shana! My best guess would be 350โ for 45-55 minutes.
Perfect recipe, though I would add some chopped crystallized ginger to add even more zing!
★★★★★
Yum! Thank you!!
Love this recipe….delicious!!! But I only have 2% milk in the house or lowfat buttermilk. Can I substitute with either of these?
Hi Annie! I would use the 2%, as the buttermilk might throw off the leavening. Enjoy!!
Perfect. Thank you so much.
Made them today with frozen butternut squash that I purรฉed up. I also used 1% milk. I havenโt glazed them. We like them just fine without, though I think theyโd be wonderful with soaked raisins mixed in.
★★★★★
Yum! So happy you enjoyed them! ๐
These are amazing! Extremely moist, perfectly spiced, and the orange zest really adds a bright pop of flavor! I doubled the recipe and Iโm so glad I did- my kids devoured them! Definitely a keeper!
★★★★★
Thank you so much, Coby!!
These are exactly what I want in a muffin – pumpkin ginger spicy, super moist, and delicious. I made them with the orange zest but I think I would skip that next time.
★★★★★
So happy to hear that. Thanks, Katie!!
? Has anyone substituted almond or nut flour?
FANTASTIC! The batter tasted like caramel so I had to lick the bowl clean!
Thank you, Erin!! ๐
I made these for my kids last weekend and they can’t get enough of them! Thanks for the recipe, I love your blog!
★★★★★
Thanks, Alice!! They’re a favorite around here too this time of year ๐
There are many recipes that won’t allow you to print on this site. It is giving the 404 error for this recipe in particular, is there a way to fix this? I love having a printed copy of a recipe as I am working in the kitchen. ๐ This one looks delicious!
Hmmmm that’s super frustrating! I’m not sure why that’s happening but I will look into getting that fixed asap! Thank you for letting me know ๐
Hi Amber, I think I’ve got the print function working now ๐
here’s the direct link: https://www.forkknifeswoon.com/one-bowl-pumpkin-gingerbread-muffins-maple-vanilla-glaze/print/17432/
Would I be able to use a plant milk sub?
Thanks
Hi, Erin! Yep, I’ve used almond milk with no issues. Enjoy!!
I don’t taste the pumpkin at all — the flavor was overwhelmed by the molasses. They tasted so-so on the first day, but despite careful wrapping they were hard the second day and I had to throw them out.
★★
Hi Robin – I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t enjoy the muffins ๐ The pumpkin is subtle, and these do highlight the gingerbread flavors more prominently. Would you mind telling me how long you baked them for? I’m wondering if maybe the batter was overmixed, or maybe they were in the oven for a minute or two too long, which could have made them tough. Thanks for your feedback, I’m always looking to improve my recipes, even the favorites.
I have a holiday potluck and would like to bring these. How should i adjust bake times if i wanted to make mini muffins?
Hi, Blair! I haven’t made these into mini muffins, but another reader make my banana gingerbread muffins, which are very, very similar, into 48 mini muffins, and she said she baked them at 375ยฐF for 10 minutes. Hope that helps! Happy holidays!!
Yum! These must smell heavenly when they’re cooking. I love that they’re a one-bowl project!
★★★★★
They do, indeed! Thank you, Joy!!
I have made these now three years running to snack on Thanksgiving morning, to ride us all over until the main event at 2. I skip the glaze and serve them with pumpkin butter instead. Everyone loves them! And I love how easy they are.
★★★★★
Thanks so much, Angie!! Love that these have become part of your thanksgiving tradition! ๐