Spicy Pumpkin Carrot Muffins

13 steps · 45 min total

1. 01

   Preheat Oven, Strain Pumpkin

   Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. If you're working with fresh, cooked pumpkin, make sure to strain the puree for at least 30 minutes in cheesecloth or a fine wire sieve to remove excess moisture.

2. 02

   Cream the Butter

   In a standing mixer, cream the 2 sticks of room-temperature butter on medium-high speed until it's soft and noticeably lighter in color, about the consistency of soft-serve ice cream.
3. 03

   Add Sugar and Molasses

   Add the 2/3 cup molasses and 1 1/2 cups of the brown sugar to the creamed butter, beating until everything is well combined and the mixture looks light and airy.
4. 04

   Mix in Wet Ingredients

   Add the 2 eggs, 14 ounces pumpkin, and 3 1/2 ounces carrot baby food. Mix on medium speed until everything is just blended together.
5. 05

   Sift Dry Ingredients

   In a separate bowl or onto a flexible cutting board, sift together the 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 2 teaspoons baking soda, 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon, and 2 teaspoons nutmeg.
6. 06

   Fold in Dry Ingredients

   Pour the sifted dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Gently fold them together until just combined, being careful not to overmix; a few streaks of flour are fine.
7. 07

   Fold in Fruit

   Gently fold in the 1/2 cup cranberries.
8. 08

   Fill Muffin Cups

   Using a spoon or a large disher (like an ice cream scoop), fill your muffin cups about three-quarters full.
9. 09

   Top with Pecans

   Place one pecan half at an upward angle in the middle of each muffin.
10. 10

    Make Spicy Topping

    In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar with the 1/8 teaspoon cayenne powder.
11. 11

    Sprinkle Topping

    Sprinkle this spicy brown sugar mixture liberally over the tops of the muffins.
12. 12

    Bake Muffins

    Bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
13. 13

    Serve Warm

    These muffins are best served immediately, when the spicy brown sugar topping is still crisp.