The smell of pumpkin and butterscotch baking is unreal. These muffins come out golden, soft, and so sweet. I couldn’t wait to taste one.

I love how the rich butterscotch melts into the pumpkin batter. Every bite is warm, cozy, and full of fall flavor. My whole kitchen felt happy.

Biting in, you get soft pumpkin spice with little bursts of caramel sweetness. They’re sweet, moist, and perfect with coffee or tea. Honestly, I wanted seconds.

So let’s bake these Butterscotch Pumpkin Muffins together. They’re easy, cozy, and the best way to bring fall into your kitchen.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

A Fall Delight: The combination of pumpkin and warm spices like cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice brings that perfect fall flavor we all crave.
Moist & Flavorful: Thanks to the pumpkin puree and olive oil, these muffins turn out incredibly moist, while the butterscotch chips provide an irresistible burst of sweetness.
Simple Ingredients: You don’t need a lot of fancy ingredients to create these delicious muffins—just pantry staples like flour, sugar, and butterscotch chips.
Quick to Make: This recipe is super easy and quick to put together, making it a perfect choice for a weekend bake or even a quick breakfast.
Perfect for Meal Prep: Bake a batch ahead of time, and you’ll have a tasty snack or breakfast for the next few days.

Required Kitchen Tools

Before we dive into the recipe, let’s gather everything you need. Here’s a quick checklist of kitchen tools that will make this baking process a breeze:

Mixing Bowls: You’ll need a few mixing bowls to combine your wet and dry ingredients separately.
Whisk: A whisk is essential for mixing dry ingredients and making sure your batter is lump-free.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are key to getting these muffins just right.
Muffin Tin: A standard 12-cup muffin tin is ideal for this recipe.
Muffin Liners or Non-stick Spray: You can use muffin liners to make cleanup easy, or just spray your muffin tin with non-stick spray.
Cooling Rack: Allow your muffins to cool on a rack to prevent them from becoming soggy.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need to create these mouthwatering muffins. These ingredients are simple, and you likely already have most of them in your pantry:

Butter (1 stick, melted): The butter adds richness and helps keep the muffins soft.
Pumpkin Puree (1 can, 15 oz): This provides the pumpkin flavor and moisture in the muffins.
Maple Syrup (⅓ cup): Adds natural sweetness that complements the pumpkin flavor beautifully.
Egg (1): Helps bind everything together and adds moisture to the muffins.
Olive Oil (2 tbsp): Adds a subtle richness while keeping the muffins moist.
Light Brown Sugar (1 cup): Brown sugar gives these muffins a warm sweetness with a slight molasses flavor.
All-purpose Flour (2 cups): The base of the muffins that helps them rise and hold their shape.
Salt (½ tsp): Just a pinch of salt brings out the sweetness and balances the flavors.
Baking Powder (2 tsp) & Baking Soda (1 tsp): These leavening agents work together to make the muffins rise.
Pumpkin Pie Spice (1 tbsp): A blend of spices like nutmeg, ginger, and cloves adds depth and warmth to the muffins.
Ground Cinnamon (1 tsp): The cinnamon adds a comforting, familiar flavor.
Butterscotch Chips (¾ cup + extra for topping): The sweet and buttery chips melt into the muffins, adding pockets of flavor with every bite.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Ready to bake these Butterscotch Pumpkin Muffins? Here’s a detailed guide to help you make them step by step.

1. Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Muffin Tin

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your muffin tin by lining it with muffin liners or spraying it with non-stick spray to prevent the muffins from sticking. This step is essential, especially if you prefer a no-fuss cleanup.

2. Mix the Wet Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter, pumpkin puree, maple syrup, egg, and olive oil until smooth. The combination of these ingredients provides the foundation for the muffin batter, infusing it with moisture, sweetness, and that lovely pumpkin flavor.

3. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, brown sugar, salt, baking powder, baking soda, pumpkin pie spice, and cinnamon. Whisking these dry ingredients together ensures the spices and leavening agents are evenly distributed throughout the flour.

4. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture and stir gently until combined. Be careful not to overmix. Overmixing can cause the muffins to become tough instead of light and fluffy. You want to mix just until there are no dry pockets of flour remaining.

5. Add Butterscotch Chips

Once your batter is mixed, fold in the butterscotch chips. These chips will melt slightly as they bake, creating pockets of gooey sweetness throughout the muffins. For extra butterscotch goodness, sprinkle a few more chips on top of the batter in each muffin cup before baking.

6. Fill the Muffin Tin

Spoon the muffin batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about ¾ of the way full. This allows the muffins to rise beautifully without spilling over. If you’re feeling extra indulgent, you can add a few extra butterscotch chips on top of each muffin for that perfect, gooey finish.

7. Bake the Muffins

Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on the muffins and test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of one of the muffins. If it comes out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs), the muffins are done. The tops should be lightly golden brown.

8. Cool the Muffins

Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and makes sure they don’t get soggy. If you’re in a hurry, you can enjoy them warm, but let them cool for a few minutes to avoid burning your mouth!

Variations for Butterscotch Pumpkin Muffins

Add Nuts: For added texture and flavor, consider adding chopped walnuts or pecans to the batter.
Use Chocolate Chips: If you’re more of a chocolate lover, swap out the butterscotch chips for semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips.
Gluten-Free Option: You can easily make these muffins gluten-free by substituting the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
Spicy Kick: Add some finely diced candied ginger or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the batter if you want a bit of heat to complement the sweetness.

How to Serve Butterscotch Pumpkin Muffins

These muffins are so versatile that they can be enjoyed in several ways:

As a Breakfast Treat: Pair a warm muffin with a cup of coffee or tea for a cozy start to your day.
In Lunchboxes: These muffins are great for packing in lunchboxes for school or work. They stay fresh for a few days and make a perfect snack.
For Dessert: Top the muffins with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for a delicious dessert.
With a Side of Fruit: Serve alongside fresh fruit like apple slices or grapes for a balanced snack.

Storing Butterscotch Pumpkin Muffins

These muffins can be stored in several ways to keep them fresh:

Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. This is the best way to keep the muffins soft and moist.
Freezing: These muffins freeze beautifully. Allow them to cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap or place them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat, simply thaw them at room temperature or microwave for a few seconds.

Nutrition Information

For a better understanding of the nutritional content, here’s a breakdown of one muffin (based on 12 servings):

Nutrient	Amount per Serving
Calories	220
Total Fat	9g
Saturated Fat	5g
Cholesterol	35mg
Sodium	120mg
Total Carbohydrates	34g
Dietary Fiber	1g
Sugars	20g
Protein	2g
Vitamin A	50% DV
Calcium	2% DV
Iron	6% DV

Note: Nutritional values may vary depending on specific ingredients used.

Conclusion

Butterscotch Pumpkin Muffins are the perfect combination of sweet, savory, and comforting. These muffins bring the warmth of fall into every bite, with the perfect balance of pumpkin, spices, and butterscotch chips. They’re easy to make, and they’ll leave your kitchen smelling like a cozy autumn day.

Whether you’re enjoying them with a hot cup of coffee, serving them for a gathering, or packing them for a snack, these muffins are sure to be a hit. I hope this recipe brings a bit of sweetness and warmth into your day!