I love a good muffin. Life as a busy mama to three kiddos doesn’t always allow time to sit down for a leisurely breakfast. Muffins are a great way to grab breakfast on the go. With a cup of coffee, milk, or juice, it gives me just enough energy to get through my hectic mornings without feeling starved.
This pumpkin version came together from a recipe I make often. I found myself without bananas and was able to substitute pumpkin puree with super yummy results. These were a hit at my daughter’s Girl Scout meeting.
‘Good Morning Pumpkin’ Muffins
Slightly adapted from Wake Up Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup pumpkin puree, canned or fresh
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or pieces
Directions
- Line 24 regular muffin cups with paper cups. In a small bowl, combine chopped nuts, the 3 tablespoons sugar and cinnamon; set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, butter and 1 1/4 cups sugar with an electric mixer until well combined.
- Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the bananas, coffee powder, and vanilla.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Gradually beat the flour mixture into the cream cheese mixture on low speed until combined. Stir in the chocolate pieces.
- Stir in half of the nut mixture into the batter. Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling about two-thirds full. I measured out 1/4 cup per cup. Made exactly 24. Sprinkle with remaining pecan mixture. I used about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of topping for each muffin.
- Bake in a 375 degree oven for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes in pan on a wire rack. Remove muffins from pan and serve warm.
Have you ever tried making your own muffins? How did they turn out? Leave us a comment below!