Jumbo Pumpkin Muffins Recipe

With their warm spices, velvety pumpkin goodness, and decadent cream cheese glaze, these Jumbo Pumpkin Muffins are the perfect way to get all the feels of fall.

These delightful treats are the epitome of fall in a muffin. It’s not surprising they’re one of my go-to Fall Picnic Ideas.

What makes these muffins so good? Apart from the velvety smooth texture, the perfect balance of sweetness, and the unmistakable taste of pumpkin spice? The jumbo size makes them a hearty indulgence, making them an ideal choice for a cozy breakfast, a sweet snack to share, or even a picnic dessert.

Jump to:

• Here’s Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• Ingredient Notes
• Recipe Substitutions and Variations
• How to Make the Muffins
• How to Make the Cream Cheese Glaze
• Recipe FAQs
• Expert Tips
• Related Recipes
• Recipe Card
• Jumbo Pumpkin Muffins

Here’s Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Warm and Cozy: The blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves infuses these muffins with a comforting, spiced warmth that makes them a great fall picnic dessert idea.
• Velvety Texture: The pumpkin puree gives these muffins an incredibly moist and velvety texture.
• Hearty Size: These jumbo muffins are generous, so you can have that little extra indulgence. However, they can also be adjusted in size if you want kids’ picnic dessert ideas.
• Perfect Sweetness: The combination of brown sugar and granulated sugar strikes just the right balance of sweetness without being overly sweet.
• Decadent Cream Cheese Glaze: The creamy glaze with a hint of vanilla adds a luxurious finishing touch, elevating these muffins to a new level of indulgence.
• Versatile: Whether you enjoy them for breakfast, as a snack, or for dessert, these muffins are versatile and perfect for any occasion. Their portability makes them great for a sweet brunch picnic treat.
• Customizable: You can easily adapt this recipe with substitutions like using healthier ingredients or incorporating your favorite mix-ins.

• Flour- You can substitute with whole wheat flour, but be aware that it will result in a denser texture. Consider using a mix of whole wheat and all-purpose flour for a balance of flavor and texture. Using gluten-free flour is also possible.
• Pumpkin Puree- To achieve the best results, opt for high-quality canned pure pumpkin, as it ensures a consistently rich pumpkin flavor. You can also use fresh pumpkin puree. Just make sure it’s well-drained and has a similar consistency to canned puree.
• Spices- You can adjust the spice levels up or down to suit your taste.

See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Butter alternatives– To make a healthier version of these muffins, you can substitute some or all of the butter with Greek yogurt. As yogurt will increase the moisture content, reduce the yogurt quantity slightly. You can also replace the butter with the same quantity of apple sauce or coconut oil.
• Sugar alternatives- You can also use a sugar substitute like honey or maple syrup instead of granulated sugar. You can also reduce the sugar content slightly without sacrificing taste. Try cutting back on the sugar by 1/4 cup and see if it suits your preference.
• Add-Ins- Feel free to get creative with add-ins. Chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or dried cranberries can be mixed into the batter for extra texture and flavor.
• Gluten-Free- For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free or almond flour blend instead of regular flour.
• Vegan Version: Switch butter for vegan baking sticks/butter, coconut oil, or apple sauce, as mentioned above. Use flaxseed eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg) or commercial egg replacements.
• Spice variations- Adjust the spice levels to your liking. If you’re a fan of a more pronounced spice flavor, increase the amounts of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.
• Switch from jumbo to normal or even mini size- You can downsize these to normal or mini-sized spiced pumpkin muffins. Adjust the baking time to about 12-15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
• Change the glaze- If you don’t want to glaze the muffins, top them with sugar and spice mix or leave them au naturale.

How to Make the Muffins

How to Make the Cream Cheese Glaze

Recipe FAQs

Expert Tips

1. Room Temperature Ingredients: To ensure a smooth batter and even baking, ensure your eggs and cream cheese are at room temperature before using them. This helps incorporate the ingredients and gives the muffin batter and glaze a smoother texture.
2. Proper Mixing Technique: Mix well but not at high speed when combining the wet and dry ingredients. Overmixing can lead to dense muffins.
3. Don’t Skip the Spice: The combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves gives these muffins their warm, spiced goodness. Please don’t skimp on these spices; they’re essential for that classic fall flavor.
4. Don’t Overfill the Muffin Cups: Fill each jumbo muffin cup about 3/4 full with batter. Overfilling can cause the muffins to overflow and stick to the pan, making them difficult to remove cleanly.
5. Uniform Sizing: Use an ice cream scoop or a measuring cup to portion out the muffin batter for consistent baking results. This ensures that each muffin is the same size and will bake evenly.
6. Test for Doneness: The toothpick test is your best friend. Insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin; if it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs, the muffins are done. If wet batter clings to it, it needs more time in the oven.
7. Cooling on a Rack: After removing the muffins from the oven, allow them to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire cooling rack. Cooling on a rack prevents the bottoms from becoming soggy due to trapped steam.
8. Glazing Technique: When drizzling the cream cheese glaze, do it in multiple directions to create an attractive criss-cross pattern. Use a piping bag for more precise control over the glaze distribution.
9. Chill the Glaze: If it seems too thin, briefly chill it in the refrigerator to thicken it up before drizzling. Likewise, you can thin it with a little extra milk if it’s too thick.
10. Storage: Store any leftover muffins in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Related Recipes

Recipe Card