Spiced Pumpkin Carrot Muffins with Creamy Vanilla Frosting
Indulge in the delightful flavors of autumn with these Spiced Pumpkin Carrot Muffins! Bursting with the natural sweetness of pumpkin and carrots, these muffins are spiced with a homemade pumpkin pie spice blend that elevates their flavor profile. Topped with a creamy and luscious vanilla frosting, they are perfect for breakfast, a snack, or a sweet treat. This recipe is simple and forgiving, making it ideal for both novice and experienced bakers alike. Don't have a pastry bag? No worries! A plastic bag with a corner snipped off does the trick. Consider adding some raisins and nuts for an extra layer of texture and flavor. Enjoy these muffins fresh out of the oven or save a batch for later – they have the perfect moist crumb that keeps well. This recipe yields 24 muffins, making it great for gatherings or to freeze for later enjoyment!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
unsalted butter
1 (room temperature, divided)
granulated sugar
1/2 (cup)
brown sugar
1/2 (cup)
large eggs
2 (room temperature, divided)
pure pumpkin puree
1 (cup (not pie filling))
sour cream
1/2 (cup)
pure vanilla extract
1 (teaspoon)
all-purpose flour
2 (cups)
baking powder
1 (teaspoon)
baking soda
1 (teaspoon)
salt
1 (teaspoon)
ground cinnamon
1/2 (teaspoon)
ground ginger
1/2 (teaspoon)
finely grated carrot
1 (cup)
sifted icing sugar
2 (cups)
2% low-fat milk
1/4 (cup)
1 tablespoon of milk
1
vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
1 (teaspoon)
pure vanilla extract
1 (teaspoon)
Instructions
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the yield of the Spiced Pumpkin Carrot Muffins recipe?
This recipe yields 24 muffins, making it great for gatherings or to freeze for later enjoyment.
Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pure pumpkin puree?
No, the recipe specifically calls for 1 cup of pure pumpkin puree and not pie filling.
What type of frosting is used for these muffins?
The muffins are topped with a creamy and luscious vanilla frosting.
Is this recipe suitable for beginner bakers?
Yes, the recipe is described as simple and forgiving, making it ideal for both novice and experienced bakers.
What can I use if I do not have a pastry bag for the frosting?
You can use a plastic bag with a corner snipped off to pipe the frosting onto the muffins.
Can I add extra ingredients for more texture?
Yes, you can consider adding raisins and nuts for an extra layer of texture and flavor.
How would you describe the texture of these muffins?
These muffins have a perfect moist crumb that keeps well.
What spices are used in the muffin batter?
The muffins are flavored with a homemade pumpkin pie spice blend, including ground cinnamon and ground ginger.
How should the butter be prepared for this recipe?
The recipe requires 1 cup of unsalted butter at room temperature, which is used in divided portions.
What kind of carrots are needed?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of finely grated carrot.
How much flour is required for the batter?
You will need 2 cups of all-purpose flour.
What type of sugar is used in these muffins?
The recipe uses a combination of 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1/2 cup brown sugar.
Are the eggs used at room temperature?
Yes, the recipe requires 2 large eggs at room temperature.
Is sour cream used in this recipe?
Yes, 1/2 cup of sour cream is included to help create a moist texture.
How much baking powder and baking soda is needed?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of baking powder and 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
What is the amount of salt in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of salt.
How much icing sugar is needed for the vanilla frosting?
You will need 2 cups of sifted icing sugar for the frosting.
What type of milk is used in the frosting?
The recipe specifies using 1/4 cup of 2% low-fat milk.
Can I use vanilla bean paste for the frosting?
Yes, you can use either 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste or 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
When is the best time to serve these muffins?
They are perfect for breakfast, a snack, or as a sweet treat.
Can these muffins be frozen for later?
Yes, they are great for freezing to enjoy at a later time.
Are these muffins specifically for autumn?
While they feature autumn flavors like pumpkin and spice, they can be enjoyed year-round.
What flavor profile do the carrots provide?
The carrots provide natural sweetness and contribute to the moist crumb of the muffins.
How much cinnamon is in the recipe?
The recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
How much ginger is in the recipe?
The recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger.
Is the vanilla extract used in both the batter and frosting?
Yes, pure vanilla extract is listed for both the muffin mixture and the frosting.
How much pumpkin puree is required?
The recipe requires 1 cup of pure pumpkin puree.
What size eggs should be used?
The recipe specifies using 2 large eggs.
Is the icing sugar supposed to be sifted?
Yes, the recipe calls for 2 cups of sifted icing sugar for a smooth frosting.
Why is the butter divided?
The butter is divided because it is used in both the muffin batter and the creamy vanilla frosting.