Pumpkin Muffins

Pumpkin muffins are a delicious autumn dessert and are quite simple to prepare. Here is a basic recipe to make them, with some Italian touches such as using olive oil instead of butter to add a more Mediterranean flavor. Remember that if you don’t like some of the ingredients, we can think of substitutions together.

Ingredients

• 250 grams of already cleaned pumpkin
• 250 grams of 00 flour (or whole wheat flour if you prefer)
• 100 grams of brown sugar (you can reduce to 80 grams if you prefer less sweet)
• 80 ml of extra virgin olive oil (or seed oil if you prefer a more neutral flavor)
• 2 eggs
• 1 packet of baking powder
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon of grated nutmeg
• 1 pinch of ground cloves (optional)
• 50 grams of chopped walnuts (optional)

Preparation

1. Start by preheating the oven to 180 °C.
2. Cut the pumpkin into cubes and steam it until it becomes soft, then blend it until you obtain a puree.
3. In a large bowl, beat the eggs with the brown sugar until you obtain a frothy mixture.
4. Add the olive oil and pumpkin puree to the egg and sugar mixture, mixing well.
5. In another bowl, sift the flour with the baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ground cloves.
6. Combine the dry ingredients with the wet mixture, stirring gently until well combined. If you have chosen to add the walnuts, incorporate them now.
7. Distribute the batter into the muffin molds, filling them about 3/4 full.
8. Bake the muffins for about 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
9. Let the muffins cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to complete cooling.

Fun Facts

Pumpkin is a very versatile ingredient in the kitchen and not only in sweets. In Italy, it is common to use it in savory preparations such as risottos, savory pies and stuffed pasta. Remember that pumpkin muffins also adapt very well to the addition of different sweet spices such as cardamom or ground ginger, to give them a personal touch.

Enjoy preparing and bon appétit! If you need assistance or advice while cooking, I’m here to help you.