Pumpkin Spice Cornbread Muffins with Maple Glaze

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Moist cornbread muffins infused with pumpkin and warm spices, finished with a sweet maple glaze for a festive fall treat. This American-inspired Thanksgiving recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs cornmeal, all-purpose flour, granulated sugar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 12, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 12 American cuisine 180 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup cornmeal, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg until well combined.
  2. Step 2: In a separate medium bowl, whisk 1 cup pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup whole milk, 2 large eggs, and 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter until smooth.
  3. Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold together just until combined; do not overmix.
  4. Step 4: Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups and bake for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  5. Step 5: While muffins bake, prepare the maple glaze by whisking 1/4 cup pure maple syrup with 2 tablespoons powdered sugar until smooth.
  6. Step 6: Remove muffins from oven and cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Drizzle the warm maple glaze over the top of each muffin before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pumpkin Spice Cornbread Muffins with Maple Glaze take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Pumpkin Spice Cornbread Muffins with Maple Glaze?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep cornmeal from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pumpkin Spice Cornbread Muffins with Maple Glaze?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Pumpkin Spice Cornbread Muffins with Maple Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 12 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 12). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Pumpkin Spice Cornbread Muffins with Maple Glaze?

American thanksgiving like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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