Description
These Maple Glazed Acorn Squash Muffins are a delightful autumn treat combining tender roasted acorn squash with warm spices and a sweet maple glaze. Perfectly moist and subtly sweet, they make an excellent breakfast or snack option that highlights seasonal flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Roasted Acorn Squash
- 1 medium acorn squash (approximately 1.5 lbs), halved and seeded
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 0.5 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 0.67 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 cup milk
- 1 cup roasted acorn squash purée
Maple Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1–2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Squash: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease it. Brush the cut sides of the acorn squash with olive oil, then place them cut side down on a baking sheet. Roast for 30-40 minutes until the squash is tender. Let it cool before scooping out the flesh and puréeing it until smooth. Measure out 1 cup for the recipe. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg until well combined.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted and cooled unsalted butter with the packed brown sugar until smooth and well blended. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, milk, and the prepared acorn squash purée. Mix these ingredients until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Form Muffin Batter: Gradually add the wet ingredients to the bowl with the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix as this can make the muffins tough.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Evenly divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full to allow room for rising.
- Bake Muffins: Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Prepare Maple Glaze: While the muffins cool, whisk together powdered sugar, pure maple syrup, and enough milk (start with 1 tablespoon and adjust) to create a thick but pourable glaze.
- Glaze and Serve: Once the muffins have fully cooled, drizzle the maple glaze generously over the tops. Serve and enjoy these moist, flavorful muffins.
Notes
- Ensure the squash is fully roasted and tender for the best purée texture.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep muffins light and fluffy.
- The glaze consistency can be adjusted with more or less milk depending on your preference.
- Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute butter and milk with plant-based alternatives.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Acorn squash muffins, maple glaze muffins, autumn muffins, roasted squash recipe, spiced muffins, fall baking, seasonal muffins
