The Perfect Panera Bread Pumpkin Muffin Recipe for Fall Baking

Baking a delectable Panera Bread pumpkin muffin at home can turn an ordinary morning into a cozy autumn celebration.

Crisp leaves and chilly breezes inspire warm, spiced treats that comfort the soul.

Fall’s most beloved flavors dance through this simple recipe, promising rich, moist texture in every bite.

Fragrant cinnamon and nutmeg weave magic into each golden-topped morsel.

Soft crumbs melt on your tongue, delivering sweet memories of bakery-fresh goodness.

Surprisingly easy to create, these muffins bring professional bakery quality right to your kitchen counter.

Warm them slightly and watch as pure seasonal happiness unfolds before you.

FAQs

• What makes the streusel topping special?

The streusel topping adds a delightful crunch and extra sweetness to the muffins, creating a textural contrast with the soft pumpkin muffin base.

• Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin puree?

Yes, you can use fresh roasted and pureed pumpkin, but ensure it’s well-drained and has a similar consistency to canned pumpkin puree for best results.

• How do I know when the muffins are fully baked?

Insert a toothpick into the center of a muffin – if it comes out clean with no wet batter, the muffins are fully baked and ready to be removed from the oven.

Pumpkin Muffins Inspired By Panera Bread

• Craft Hearty Comfort: Dive into a classic dish that wraps you in warmth with its rich, creamy sauce and tender meatballs, perfect for satisfying hunger and soothing souls.
• Master Culinary Skills: Learn an impressive recipe that combines simple techniques like baking meatballs and creating a velvety sauce, helping you level up your cooking confidence.
• Versatile Meal Solution: Enjoy a flexible dinner option that works beautifully with egg noodles or rice, making it adaptable for different preferences and pantry availability.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Delight everyone at the table with a crowd-pleasing meal that offers robust flavors kids and adults will love, making mealtime a joyful experience.

Ingredients For Moist Panera Pumpkin Muffins

• All-Purpose Flour: A classic baking ingredient that provides structure to the muffins.
• Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Leavening agents that help the muffins rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the muffins.
• Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg, Ground Cloves, Ground Ginger: Warm spices that create the quintessential pumpkin spice flavor profile.

• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Sweeteners that add depth and moisture to the muffins.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures the muffins remain moist and tender.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide structure.
• Pumpkin Puree: The star ingredient that gives the muffins their signature pumpkin flavor and color.
• Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth batter.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a subtle, warm background flavor.

• Flour, Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar, Ground Cinnamon: Create a sweet and spicy crumbly topping.
• Cold Butter: Helps create a crumbly texture for the streusel.
• Powdered Sugar, Milk, Vanilla Extract: Ingredients for the optional sweet glaze that adds extra richness.

How To Bake Panera Style Pumpkin Muffins

Step 1: Whip Up Dry Ingredients

• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Ground cloves
• Ground ginger

Step 2: Create Wet Mixture

In a large bowl, combine sugars and oil, whisking until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

• Pumpkin puree
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Step 3: Merge Ingredients

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined. Do not overmix the batter.

Step 4: Craft Streusel Topping

• Flour
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon

Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles sandy crumbs.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Line muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly.

Step 6: Fill and Top Muffins

Spoon batter into muffin cups, filling about two-thirds full.

Sprinkle streusel topping generously over each muffin.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 18-22 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Step 8: Cool and Finish

Let muffins rest in tin for 5 minutes. Transfer to wire rack.

• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Vanilla extract

Drizzle glaze over muffins and enjoy!

Helpful Tips For Pumpkin Muffin Perfection

• Ensure ingredients are at room temperature for better mixing and smoother batter consistency.
• Avoid overmixing the batter to prevent tough, dense muffins; stop mixing when ingredients are just combined.
• Use fresh pumpkin puree or high-quality canned pumpkin for the most authentic, rich flavor.
• Swap vegetable oil with melted coconut oil for a subtle tropical twist and healthier alternative.
• Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer preservation.

Delicious Twists For Panera Pumpkin Muffins

• Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins: Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the batter for a rich, sweet variation that complements the warm pumpkin spices.
• Nutty Pumpkin Muffins: Mix in 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter for extra crunch and depth of flavor.
• Cream Cheese Swirl Muffins: Create a cream cheese filling by mixing softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, then swirl into the muffin batter before baking.
• Maple Pecan Topping: Replace the streusel with a maple-glazed pecan topping for a more complex and indulgent flavor profile.

Serving Suggestions For Pumpkin Muffins

• Cozy Autumn Breakfast Companion: Pair these warm, spiced muffins with a steaming cup of coffee or chai tea for a delightful morning treat that captures the essence of fall.
• Seasonal Dessert Delight: Serve these pumpkin muffins as a sweet ending to a family dinner, garnished with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
• Afternoon Tea Centerpiece: Create an elegant snack spread by arranging the muffins on a beautiful platter, accompanied by fresh berries and a selection of herbal teas for a sophisticated gathering.
• Gifting Goodness: Package the muffins in cute mason jars or wrapped in parchment paper with a ribbon, making them a thoughtful homemade gift for neighbors, teachers, or friends during the autumn season.

How To Keep Pumpkin Muffins Fresh Longer

• Store completely cooled muffins in an airtight container lined with paper towels. Keep them refrigerated for up to 5 days, ensuring freshness and preventing moisture buildup.
• Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for 2-3 hours before serving.
• Pour unbaked muffin batter into a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, stir gently, and bake as directed in the original recipe.

panera bread pumpkin muffin recipe

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• Total Time: 42 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Panera bread pumpkin muffins bring autumn’s warmth to homemade baking with classic seasonal spices. Bakers can easily recreate this comforting treat, enjoying rich flavors that connect you to cherished bakery memories.

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Ingredients

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• 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Prepare dry ingredients by whisking flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and autumn spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger) in a medium mixing bowl.
2. Create wet mixture by combining granulated and brown sugars with vegetable oil, blending until thoroughly incorporated.
3. Incorporate eggs individually, ensuring complete integration after each addition, then fold in pumpkin puree, milk, and vanilla extract until uniformly smooth.
4. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring minimally to prevent overmixing.
5. Craft streusel topping by mixing flour, sugars, and cinnamon, then work cold butter into mixture until texture resembles coarse crumbs.
6. Preheat oven to 350F and prepare muffin tin with liners or light grease.
7. Distribute batter evenly into muffin cups, filling approximately 2/3 full.
8. Generously sprinkle prepared streusel across muffin surfaces.
9. Bake for 18-22 minutes, checking doneness with a toothpick that should emerge clean when inserted into muffin center.
10. Rest muffins in tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack for complete cooling.
11. Prepare optional glaze by whisking powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until silky.
12. Once cooled, delicately drizzle glaze over muffin tops for elegant finishing touch.

Notes

• Prevent overmixing by stirring the batter just until the dry and wet ingredients are combined to keep the muffins tender and light.
• Swap vegetable oil with melted coconut oil or applesauce for a healthier alternative and to add subtle flavor complexity.
• Ensure pumpkin puree is pure and not pumpkin pie filling to maintain the right moisture and sweetness level in the muffins.
• Customize the spice blend by adjusting ground spices according to personal taste preferences, adding more cinnamon or a pinch of cardamom for extra warmth.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 22 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 176 kcal
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 143 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6.8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 37 mg