Crisp mornings, golden leaves and cozy kitchens—fall is here, and these pumpkin apple muffins are the perfect way to celebrate the season. They’re soft, moist and packed with autumn’s best flavors: earthy pumpkin, juicy chunks of apple and a hint of molasses for that deep, caramel-like richness. A drizzle of maple syrup balances everything with natural sweetness, keeping these muffins satisfying without being overly sugary. Beyond their irresistible taste, these muffins bring a little wholesome goodness. Pumpkin is rich in beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant, while apples add fiber and natural sweetness. Spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, they warm you from the inside out—ideal for breakfast, a mid-afternoon snack or even a cozy dessert. Pair one with your morning coffee, or tuck a few into your bag for an on-the-go pick-me-up. However you enjoy them, these muffins capture the very best of autumn in every bite.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter melted and cooled
- 1/2 cup mild unsulphured molasses I used Grandma’s brand-please don’t use Blackstrap molasses
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger or to taste
- 1 (heaping) tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground pumpkin spice or 1 scant teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 medium baking apple of your choice (Gala, Empire or Macintosh) peeled, cored and cut into a small dice -about 1 cup
- Squeeze of lemon juice to sprinkle over the diced apples
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the oven rack in the center of the oven. Fill a standard muffin tin with 12 paper liners. With a hand mixer or a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter, molasses, maple syrup and vanilla on medium speed until combined. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs one at a time. Scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the apple juice and the pumpkin puree and beat on low speed until combined.
- In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ginger, cinnamon and pumpkin spice or nutmeg and the cut-up apple (sprinkled with lemon juice). With a rubber spatula, gently fold the dry flour mixture into the wet butter- molasses mixture. Mix until just combined. With a small scoop or spoon, fill the 12-cup muffin tin. The batter will be overflowing out of the cups.
- Bake the muffins for 35–40 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Because the batter is moist, be sure they are fully baked. Allow the muffins to cool completely in the pan. Store at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 3 weeks. Inspired by Joanne Chang's Baking with Less Sugar.
