Name: PUMPKIN CINNAMON ROLL MUFFINS Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves; 1 cup pumpkin puree; 1/2 cup milk; 1/3 cup vegetable oil; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; 2 tablespoons melted butter; 1 cup powdered sugar; 2–3 tablespoons milk; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Jump to Recipe·5.3 from 18 reviews

If you’re ready for a breakfast treat that feels like the best parts of fall wrapped into a soft, swirled, and slightly sticky package, let me introduce you to PUMPKIN CINNAMON ROLL MUFFINS. Imagine the spiced coziness of pumpkin bread meeting the gooey swirl of your favorite cinnamon rolls, with a bakery-style glaze finish that soaks into every nook and cranny. These muffins are perfect for a brisk autumn morning, a holiday brunch, or any time you want a homey, comforting snack with minimal fuss.

PUMPKIN CINNAMON ROLL MUFFINS Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These PUMPKIN CINNAMON ROLL MUFFINS use simple, pantry staples (plus pumpkin for that beautiful color and flavor) to create a treat that looks gourmet but comes together effortlessly. Each ingredient brings an essential touch, whether it’s depth of flavor, tenderness, or that irresistible cinnamon swirl.

All-purpose flour: The tried-and-true foundation for a tender, sturdy muffin base.
Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps the muffins brown beautifully.
Brown sugar, packed: Lends richer, caramel notes and boosts moisture.
Baking powder: Lifts the muffins so they’re light and fluffy.
Baking soda: Works with the acid in the pumpkin for a soft crumb.
Salt: Enhances all the sweet and spiced flavors.
Ground cinnamon: The star of the swirl and muffin batter for irresistible warmth.
Ground nutmeg: Adds subtle spice and autumn character.
Ground cloves: A pinch of this goes a long way for a deeper, nostalgic spice.
Pumpkin puree: The key to moisture, gorgeous orange color, and quintessential fall flavor.
Milk: Loosens the batter just enough for a tender texture.
Vegetable oil: Keeps every bite exceptionally moist (with no waiting for butter to soften).
Eggs: Bind the batter and provide structure for a perfect rise.
Vanilla extract: Smooths and rounds out all those lovely spices.
Brown sugar (for swirl): Melt-in-your-mouth sweetness in every ripple.
Ground cinnamon (for swirl): Doubles down on that cinnamon roll flavor.
Melted butter (for swirl): Helps the cinnamon sugar mixture marble into the batter beautifully.
Powdered sugar (for glaze): The base for that classic sweet drizzle.
Milk (for glaze): Thins the glaze just enough for perfect drips over the muffins.
Vanilla extract (for glaze): Infuses the glaze with warm, mellow flavor.

How to Make PUMPKIN CINNAMON ROLL MUFFINS

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners, or grease with butter if you prefer a softer muffin edge. Proper prep means you’ll get muffins that release easily and look picture-perfect, every time.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

Grab a large bowl and whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Blending them now ensures your spices and leaveners are evenly distributed, giving each PUMPKIN CINNAMON ROLL MUFFIN the same deeply spiced flavor.

Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, milk, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until smooth and well-blended. This makes it easy to integrate into your dry mixture without overmixing, which keeps your muffins tender.

Step 4: Bring It All Together

Pour the wet mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Gently stir them together, stopping as soon as you don’t see any big streaks of flour left. Resist the urge to overmix! A few lumps are totally fine and actually lead to a lighter muffin.

Step 5: Make the Cinnamon Swirl

In a small bowl, stir the brown sugar and cinnamon for the swirl together. Pour in that melted butter and mix until you have a crumbly, fragrant cinnamon blend. This is what gives your PUMPKIN CINNAMON ROLL MUFFINS that gooey, bakery-style swirl in every bite.

Step 6: Layer and Swirl the Batter

Fill each muffin cup about halfway with the batter. Sprinkle a generous teaspoon of the cinnamon-sugar mixture right on top, then add more muffin batter until the cups are about 3/4 full. Grab a toothpick or sharp knife and give each one a quick swirl, so you can see that classic wavy pattern through the sides.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide your tin into the oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes. You’ll know they’re finished when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs (but not raw batter). Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.

Step 8: Glaze and Enjoy!

While the muffins cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and vanilla extract until perfectly smooth. Drizzle the glaze over the muffins, letting it drip down the sides a little for that true cinnamon roll vibe. If you prefer your glaze a bit thinner, add an extra splash of milk.

How to Serve PUMPKIN CINNAMON ROLL MUFFINS

Garnishes

These muffins are a showstopper on their own, but if you want to take things even further, try dusting with a little extra cinnamon, a pinch of orange zest, or a few toasted pecans. A dollop of whipped cream or vanilla yogurt makes for an ultra-indulgent touch that’s right at home at brunch.

Side Dishes

PUMPKIN CINNAMON ROLL MUFFINS pair beautifully with fresh fruit—think orange segments, sliced apples, or berries. For a heartier breakfast spread, serve alongside scrambled eggs or an omelet, and don’t forget a mug of hot coffee, chai, or spiced cider for the ultimate fall experience!

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to impress, arrange the muffins on a rustic wooden board, drizzle a bit more glaze just before serving, and tuck in a few cinnamon sticks or star anise for drama. For gifting, pop a few cooled muffins in a bakery box tied with ribbon—a deliciously personal touch for anyone who needs a little pick-me-up.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover PUMPKIN CINNAMON ROLL MUFFINS in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They stay wonderfully soft, and the cinnamon swirl keeps them just the right amount of moist even on day three!

Freezing

These muffins freeze beautifully! Once cooled, wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap, then place all of them in a zip-top freezer bag. They’ll stay fresh for up to 2 months. To enjoy, thaw at room temperature or gently reheat from frozen.

Reheating

If you love a warm, gooey muffin (who doesn’t?), gently microwave one for 15–20 seconds or pop a batch into a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes. This brings back that just-baked softness and makes the cinnamon swirl absolutely dreamy again.

FAQs

Can I substitute another type of flour?

Absolutely! You can swap up to half the all-purpose flour with whole wheat for a bit more fiber and a hearty flavor, though the muffins will be slightly denser. Gluten-free blends also work well—just use a 1:1 baking blend for best results.

What kind of pumpkin puree should I use?

Always use plain, unsweetened pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling). Canned or homemade will both work—just make sure it’s thick and not watery for that classic pumpkin muffin texture.

Can I make these muffins vegan?

Yes, with a few simple swaps! Use non-dairy milk, a flaxseed or chia egg substitute (for the eggs), and plant-based butter for the swirl and glaze. The results are just as magical and moist.

How can I prevent my muffins from being dry?

The secret is not to overmix the batter and to avoid overbaking. Check with a toothpick towards the lower end of the suggested bake time, and as soon as it comes out mostly clean, pull them out—they’ll continue to set as they cool.

Is the glaze necessary?

While the muffins are delicious on their own, the vanilla glaze really brings that cinnamon roll feel. If you prefer less sweetness or want to skip it, you could sprinkle with powdered sugar or enjoy them plain—they’ll still be moist and flavorful!

Final Thoughts

Baking a batch of PUMPKIN CINNAMON ROLL MUFFINS is pure comfort—every swirl is cozy, every crumb a little celebration of autumn flavors. Whether you enjoy them for a Saturday morning treat or share them at a special gathering, I truly hope these muffins bring warmth and joy to your kitchen. Go ahead, whip up a batch—you deserve it!