Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins
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These pumpkin cornbread muffins have less fat than regular cornbread muffins, yet they’re equally delicious.
Photo credit: Alexandra Grablewski
I have to admit: I went through a phase of substituting butter with applesauce in all my baked goods back in the eighties and nineties when low-fat diets were all the rage. I don’t cook that way anymore — thankfully, fat is now deemed acceptable in moderation — but, occasionally, I’ll stumble upon a baked good that is low-fat by happenstance. Made with canned pumpkin purée, these pumpkin cornbread muffins are lower in fat than regular cornbread muffins, yet they’re equally delicious.
Interestingly, if you make them without the spices, you really can’t taste the pumpkin; it’s the autumn spices that bring the pumpkin flavor out. So, if you’re looking for a healthier alternative to your standard cornbread recipe, try this recipe and just omit the spices.
Table of Contents
“I needed to use up some homemade pumpkin purée. I came across this recipe and O.M.G. these are AMAZING! My husband has said they were possibly my best bake ever.”
What You’ll Need To Make Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins
- Canned Pumpkin Purée: Provides moisture, flavor, and a tender texture to the muffins. Make sure to purchase 100% pure pumpkin — not pumpkin pie filling.
- Low Fat Milk: Adds moisture and richness to the muffins without adding excessive fat.
- Honey and Sugar: Sweeten the muffins and provide moisture.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the muffins’ structure.
- Yellow Cornmeal: Gives the muffins the classic cornbread texture and flavor.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and volume to the muffins. Measure by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off to ensure accuracy.
- Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Act as leavening agents helping the muffins rise.
- Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Cloves: Enhance the muffins’ flavor profile and make the pumpkin flavor more prominent.
- Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the muffins and keeps them moist despite the muffins being lower in fat.
- Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements
Step-by-Step Instructions
Begin by whisking together the pumpkin purée, milk honey, sugar, and eggs. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and spices.
Add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, along with the melted butter, and mix well.
Spoon the batter into muffin cups — they will be full.
Bake for 20 to 23 minutes, until the tops are golden and set. Serve warm out of the oven with butter. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Definitely! This will convert nicely to a cast iron skillet or an 8-inch square baking dish.
These are best right out of the oven, but will keep on the countertop (in an airtight container) for a few days. I recommend serving these warm, so when ready to serve, wrap the muffins in aluminum foil and place them in a 350°F-oven until hot. Alternatively, heat individual muffins in the microwave at 50 percent power for 30 to 45 seconds, or until just hot; do not overheat or the muffins will get tough.
Sure, the muffins can be frozen in an airtight container or sealable plastic bag for up to 3 months. Thaw for 3 to 4 hours on the countertop before serving. See FAQ above for reheating instructions.
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Pumpkin Cornbread Muffins
These pumpkin cornbread muffins have less fat than regular cornbread muffins, yet they’re equally delicious.
Ingredients
- 1 cup canned pumpkin purée (such as Libby's)
- 1 cup low fat milk
- ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons honey
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1¼ cups yellow cornmeal
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon cloves
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray a 12-cup muffin tin generously with nonstick cooking spray or grease with butter.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin purée, milk, honey, sugar and eggs.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices.
- Add the wet ingredients and melted butter to the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not over-mix.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup full, and bake for 20 to 23 minutes, or until the tops are a golden-orange color and set. Let cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then serve warm with butter or transfer to a rack to cool completely.
- Note: These muffins taste best when served warm. To reheat leftovers, wrap muffins in aluminum foil and place them in a preheated 350°F oven until hot. Alternatively, heat individual muffins in the microwave at 50 percent power for 30 to 45 seconds, or until just hot; do not overheat or muffins will get tough.
- Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The muffins can be frozen in an airtight container or sealable plastic bag for up to 3 months. Thaw for 3 to 4 hours on the countertop before serving. See note above for reheating instructions.
Nutrition Information
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- Per serving (12 servings)
- Serving size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 203
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Sugar: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Sodium: 313mg
- Cholesterol: 32mg
This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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I left out the sugar completely, as well as the spices, as I wanted the muffins to serve with savory beef stew, and I don’t like overly-sweet anything. The honey was plenty of sweetness. I made the muffins with gluten-free cornmeal and flour. They are great! Next time I will add some chopped onions for more savory, and maybe some dried cranberries. The pumpkin puree is great in that it ensures a nice, moist muffin. Yum!
I used two flax eggs and agave syrup as substitutes as I’m a vegan.
Came out beautiful and tasty. Will make again! Also made butternut squash and sweet potato soup to go with. It was a big hit.
A question, please: Can I make as cornbread instead of muffins? Can you recommend any adjustments? I cannot wait to try them. Thank you!
Hi Sheila, This recipe translates well to an 8-inch square pan. The baking time for that size pan would be around 30 minutes. Hope you enjoy!
Many thanks!
Hi Jenn,
Would this recipe work with fresh, steamed pumpkin? I know it can be a bit more watery than canned.
Thanks!
Sure – just drain off any extra liquid before incorporating into the recipe. Hope you enjoy!
I haven’t made these yet (they look so good) – I was wondering if they would still work as well with box of southern cornbread mix? I don’t know if I will have time to get the original ingredients as they are needed in a hurry! It is the K……z brand if that helps……
Hi Gigi, for the most predictable results, I wouldn’t recommend it — I’m sorry!
Great recipe!
I had some left over pumpkin and I was searching the internet to find a recipe for pumpkin and cornbread muffins. Of course I had some cornmeal left over also :).
Found this recipe, did it, and added some left over orange icing I made.
This is a keeper. We could be friends:).
Thanks so much for figuring out what to do with left over pumpkin.
Hope to make this soon with a can of pumpkin purée found hiding in the back of the pantry. Would you be able to convert the recipe to metrics? The level of accuracy always results in a better result for me. Thank you!
Hi Laurie, I just added them. Hope you enjoy the muffins! 🙂
Can you use polenta in place of the cornmeal?
Sure – enjoy!
Perfect way to use up canned pumpkin – easy to throw together and great with apple butter. The pumpkin adds moisture but it tastes more like a corn muffin – will definitely make again.
These muffins were an excellent partner to the turkey chili I made the other night. I always have extra pumpkin on hand this time of year, so it’s fun to find different ways to use it, and pairing it with corn meal was a fun new twist on a cornbread muffin. I liked the combination of textures and flavors as well as the idea that I was making healthier version of a cornbread muffin, which is always a plus!
These are delicious and freeze beautifully. I added the honey and left out the sugar o they would be a little more savory and my family loved them!