Pumpkin, Carrot and Apple Crumb Muffins

Tender and moist pumpkin muffins with carrots, apples, walnuts and a sandy crumb topping, they are perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Pumpkin muffins are perfect to make in the autumn and fall months when pumpkin puree is in season. These muffins are soft and tender, but also very moist, even several days after baking them.

I created this recipe to be a combination of pumpkin muffins with a twist on morning glory muffins. They are a combination of so many ingredients that are in season in the glorious autumn months. The addition of the grated carrots, grated apple, applesauce and walnuts definitely gives them more texture and crunch. The buttery crumb topping pairs really well with the muffins and gives them an iconic “bakery” touch.

You can also add some chocolate chips, raisins or other dry fruits, grated coconut flakes and use any kind of nuts instead of the walnuts to customize these muffins to your taste.

They are so simple to prepare, no mixer required, and I love how soft they stay even a few days after baking them.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Muffins

• all purpose flour
• granulated sugar and brown sugar – use both of the sugars will help to give the muffins the perfect balance of texture, brown sugar makes them more moist and the granulated sugar helps to keep them from spreading too much. If you like your baked goods to be on the sweeter side, add more sugar, because I prefer bakes goods to be less sweet.
• baking powder, baking soda, salt
• ground cinnamon will give the muffins a mild flavor. You can also add grated nutmeg and allspice if you want them to have more of a pumpkin pie flavor, or use pumpkin pie spice instead to give you all 3 flavors.
• pumpkin puree – I used canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. You can also cook your own pumpkin and mash it up. You can also use butternut squash puree instead of the pumpkin puree.
• applesauce – this is another secret ingredient to make the muffins moist and tender.
• grated carrots – Grate the carrots and the apple on the fine holes of a box grater.
• grated apple – any apples will work in this recipe. You can peel the apple of leave the skin on, it’s up to you.
• walnuts – you can use any nuts that you like instead of walnuts or even omit the walnuts.
• oil – any neutral flavored oil will work in this recipe: grape seed oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, coconut oil, etc.
• Other options – raisins, dry cranberries, coconut flakes, chocolate chips or chocolate chunks.
• eggs – I use large eggs.
• vanilla extract
• Crumb topping – all purpose flour, granulated and brown sugars, salt, butter

How to Make Pumpkin Muffins:

In a medium bowl, combine all the dry ingredients – flour, sugars, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Whisk to combine.

In a large bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, applesauce, grated carrots, grated apple, oil, eggs and vanilla. Whisk to combine.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix to combine, just until the flour is incorporated. Do no over mix. Add the walnuts and mix them in gently. If you want to add in any other things, like raisins, chocolate chips or coconut flakes, add them in at this point too.

Distribute the batter among the baking cups in a lined muffin pan. I really like using parchment liners because they don’t stick to the muffins.

In a medium bowl, combine all the crumb topping ingredients just until you have a crumb mixture. Sprinkle the crumb topping over the muffins.

Bake the muffins the preheated oven until baked through.

Storing and Freezing the Muffins:

These muffins are incredibly tender and soft when you eat them still warm, but they will also stay tender for a few days. Store them at room temperature, covered with a clean kitchen towel, for about 3 days.

Muffins freeze beautifully. Store them in an airtight container or in a freezer bag for up to 3 months.

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