Walnut Streusel Pumpkin Muffins
Thursday, November 17, 2011 I have had this muffin idea in my head for days. It’s been taunting me. Well, yesterday afternoon, I finally got myself into the kitchen and acted on it. Luckily, it was a great success and I’m here to share the recipe with you!
I have been meaning to share at least one Thanksgiving inspired recipe with you all before the big day next week. Of course, this recipe involves pumpkin and cinnamon—two ingredients which scream Turkey Day, in my opinion.
I haven’t done a ton of baking since I’ve moved into the apartment (besides bread making, of course). This is partially due to the frustration of working in a small kitchen and having only an extremely old hand-held mixer on hand.
Let’s just say that the slowest setting would send ingredients flying everything. I’m pretty sure it is from circa-1980 and it hasn’t aged well, to say the least.
However, as of a couple days ago, I borrowed stole my mom’s Kitchen Aid stand mixer from home, while my parents continue to live abroad. Not sure why I didn’t think of this months ago—I think I convinced myself I didn’t have the space for it. And I felt guilty, but there is no point in it just sitting there collecting dust, right? Right.
Oh how I’ve missed thee! You make baking so much more enjoyable and simple. Of course, this muffin recipe is easy to make with a handheld mixer, so don’t let that discourage you. These muffins are worth making. right. now.
I even added in some whole wheat flour for a little nutritional boost! But, you would never be able to tell!
These muffins are incredibly light and fluffy, and extra moist. To make them extra special, I topped them with with a streusel. Usually, streusels are packed with tons of butter, but this one is light and simple—with only three ingredients.
Dark brown sugar. Walnuts. Ground Cinnamon.
So delicious, I gobbled one up the minute them came out the oven. For taste-testing purposes, of course…
Walnut Streusel Pumpkin Muffins
These muffins are light and fluffy, almost cake-like in texture, and have a nice hint of spice from cloves, cinnamon, and ginger. The addition of canned pumpkin puree keeps them extra moist too. Topped with a crunchy and sweet cinnamon-walnut-brown sugar streusel, these pumpkin muffins won’t last long!
Makes 12 Standard Muffins
3/4 cup all-purpose unbleached flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/3 cup skim milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1 1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
Walnut Streusel Topping:
1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line standard muffin pan with liners or grease with butter.
- In medium sized bowl, whisk together flours, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
- In small bowl, whisk together milk and vanilla extract. Set aside.
- In another small bowl, mix together walnut streusel topping.
- Using mixer, beat butter until creamy, about 30 seconds. Turn up mixer to high speed and slowly add granulated sugar until light in color—about 3-4 minutes. Beat in eggs one at a time.
- Turn mixer to low speed and add in pumpkin puree until just blended.
- Add flour mixture in 3 parts, alternating with 2 additions of milk/vanilla mixture. Beat at low speed until just combined.
- Using spoon, divide batter evenly among muffin pan. Using hand or spoon, sprinkle on walnut streusel topping on top of each muffin batter. Lightly pat down with fingers.
- Bake at 350 degrees (on center rack) for 22-25 minutes, or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Place muffin tin on cooling rack and let sit for 5 minutes. Remove muffins from pan, place on cooling rack, and allow to come to room temperature. Enjoy!
If you are feeling extra indulgent, you could always skip the streusel and whip up a delicious cream cheese frosting infused with a bit of cinnamon. Instant cupcake!
Bring these to your Thanksgiving feast next week! They are sure to impress all your friends and family.
Laura
Reader Comments (22)
These muffins look delicious! Anything with pumpkin and streusel sounds great to me.
I'm supposed to bring pumpkin muffins to work on Monday, and these might be just the ticket! Thanks for what looks to be a great recipe.
I've been on a pumpkin kick lately and these look fabulous. Streusel may end up being the death of me.
We do have the same fabric! :) I may have used it in just about every single post since I bought it... can you blame me? It's just too cute.
These looks delicious! I love streusel toppings!
This recipe is worth borrowing, oops...stealing your mom's mixer for. Gee! I love walnuts in baked treats. Perfect combination! Great post! Thank you for sharing...
Your muffins look delicious. Good on you for creating your own recipe. I would love to experience a Thanksgiving dinner just once in my lifetime. I think it's a great celebration and just wish it would catch on here in Australia.
I keep eating them!!
Let me know if you end up making them---they really are one of my favorite things I've made lately. Can't keep my hands away from them! :)
Streusel is a dangerous thing. Haha--I love that dish cloth too. It's so cute! I actually like that whole line at Target...
Thanks for stopping by Anna! I am so glad I stole the mixer, it makes baking a lot more fun. Of course, it isn't necessary though ;)
Ideal for Thanksgiving! Maybe I'll just drizzle some caramel sauce on top, kids will surely love this recipe!
I am sure when you bake this muffin for your mom she won't mind about the stealing at all :)
Looks delish! I keep telling myself that as long as I added pumpkin and whole wheat, it's all healthy :)
delicious looking muffin looks wonderful
I love pumpkin muffins, especially with streusel topping!
What a great idea! I'm positive kids will love this recipe too. Thanks for visiting!
Thanks so much! One of my favorite things I've made lately, that's for sure.
I love streusel topping, period. Need to add it to more things! :) Thanks Jenn!
this looks so delicious, i will try doing them next weekend, hopefully I will make them as close as good as yours, wish me luck!
Just been enjoying browsing through your beautiful blog :-) These muffins look gorgeous - and good call on borrowing your Mum's Kitchen Aid...I'm getting one for Christmas and absolutely can't wait. So excited!
Thanks so much! OH--I am so jealous. I'm thinking about asking for one for Christmas too. I really am eyeing the one with the glass mixing bowl! So glad you said hi, so I could discover yours.
My mom may or may not be getting the KitchenAid back... :)
Haha, steal it if you can! If not, I can't think of anything better to ask for for Christmas... :-)