Spicy Pumpkin Muffins Candied Ginger

Featured in: Sweet Bites

Enjoy tender, aromatic muffins with pumpkin purée and a blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Chopped candied ginger adds sweet bursts in every bite, making them perfect for chilly mornings or festive gatherings. Mixing wet and dry ingredients separately keeps the crumb light, and gentle folding prevents overmixing. Bake until golden and fragrant, then savor warm with butter or just as they are. Enhance texture with nuts or a sprinkle of raw sugar for crunch. These muffins offer autumnal flavor and wholesome indulgence for vegetarians, with easy steps suitable for all skill levels.

Updated on Mon, 27 Oct 2025 07:21:00 GMT
Moist, spiced pumpkin muffins with chewy candied ginger for a fall delight.  Pin
Moist, spiced pumpkin muffins with chewy candied ginger for a fall delight. | grillandbites.com

Moist, warmly spiced pumpkin muffins featuring bursts of sweet, chewy candied ginger for an irresistible autumn treat.

Every year, I look forward to baking these pumpkin muffins as the weather cools. The addition of candied ginger gives them a special twist everyone loves.

Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: 2 cups (250 g)
  • Baking powder: 1 teaspoon
  • Baking soda: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Ground cinnamon: 2 teaspoons
  • Ground ginger: 1/2 teaspoon
  • Ground nutmeg: 1/4 teaspoon
  • Ground cloves: 1/4 teaspoon
  • Granulated sugar: 1 cup (200 g)
  • Light brown sugar: 1/2 cup (110 g), packed
  • Vegetable oil: 1/2 cup (120 ml)
  • Eggs: 2 large
  • Pumpkin purée: 1 cup (240 g)
  • Whole milk: 1/4 cup (60 ml)
  • Vanilla extract: 1 teaspoon
  • Candied ginger: 1/2 cup (80 g), finely chopped

Instructions

Prep Muffin Tin:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly.
Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, and cloves.
Mix Wet Ingredients:
In a large bowl, whisk both sugars with oil until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, whisking well after each. Stir in pumpkin purée, milk, and vanilla extract until combined.
Combine and Fold:
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined; do not overmix.
Add Candied Ginger:
Fold in chopped candied ginger.
Fill Muffin Cups:
Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.
Bake:
Bake for 20–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cool:
Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
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| grillandbites.com

My kids love helping sprinkle raw sugar on top before baking. These muffins always remind us of cozy family mornings in fall.

Required Tools

12-cup muffin tin, paper liners or nonstick spray, mixing bowls, whisk, spatula, measuring cups and spoons, wire rack

Allergen Information

Eggs and wheat (gluten) are included. Milk is present if using dairy milk. Candied ginger might be processed with nuts; check packaging for allergy info.

Nutritional Information

Each muffin (approximate): Calories 235, Total Fat 8 g, Carbohydrates 39 g, Protein 3 g

Warmly baked Spicy Pumpkin Muffins topped with chunks of sweet candied ginger.  Pin
Warmly baked Spicy Pumpkin Muffins topped with chunks of sweet candied ginger. | grillandbites.com

Savor these muffins warm with a pat of salted butter. They store well and are delicious for breakfast or a snack!

Recipe FAQ

Can I use fresh ginger instead of candied ginger?

Fresh ginger provides heat but lacks the sweetness and chewy texture of candied ginger, so results may vary.

Is pumpkin purée interchangeable with sweet potato purée?

Yes, sweet potato purée can be substituted for pumpkin, yielding a different but delicious flavor profile.

How do I store leftover muffins for freshness?

Store cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer keeping.

Can I make these muffins gluten-free?

Use a gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour, but expect a slightly different texture.

What are some nut options for add-ins?

Chopped walnuts and pecans both add texture and complement the spice and pumpkin flavors nicely.

Is it possible to reduce the sugar amount?

You may reduce sugar slightly, but this could affect moisture and sweetness; try decreasing by 1/4 cup at first.

Spicy Pumpkin Muffins Candied Ginger

Moist muffins bursting with warm spices and chewy candied ginger, ideal for cozy autumn snacking.

Prep duration
15 min
Cook duration
22 min
Overall duration
37 min


Skill level Easy

Heritage American

Output 12 Portions

Dietary requirements Vegetarian

Components

Dry Ingredients

01 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 1 teaspoon baking powder
03 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
06 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
07 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
08 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Wet Ingredients

01 1 cup granulated sugar
02 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
03 1/2 cup vegetable oil
04 2 large eggs
05 1 cup pumpkin purée
06 1/4 cup whole milk
07 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Add-ins

01 1/2 cup candied ginger, finely chopped

Directions

Phase 01

Prepare Baking Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease with nonstick spray.

Phase 02

Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ground ginger, nutmeg, and cloves until evenly combined.

Phase 03

Combine Sugars and Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk granulated sugar and light brown sugar together with vegetable oil until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, whisking thoroughly after each addition. Stir in pumpkin purée, whole milk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is homogeneous.

Phase 04

Incorporate Dry Mixture: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender crumb.

Phase 05

Add Chopped Candied Ginger: Fold finely chopped candied ginger into the batter, distributing evenly.

Phase 06

Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the batter equally among the prepared muffin cups, filling each approximately three-quarters full.

Phase 07

Bake Muffins: Place in preheated oven and bake for 20–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin emerges clean.

Phase 08

Cool and Serve: Allow muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely before serving.

Tools needed

  • 12-cup muffin tin
  • Paper liners or nonstick spray
  • Mixing bowls
  • Whisk
  • Spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wire rack

Allergy details

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and consult healthcare providers if you're uncertain about any components.
  • Contains eggs and wheat gluten.
  • May contain milk if whole milk is used.
  • Chopped candied ginger may be processed in facilities handling nuts; check packaging for details if nut allergies are present.

Nutrition breakdown (per portion)

These values are estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 235
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39 g
  • Protein: 3 g