If you love the gooey, nutty sweetness of classic pecan pie, then youāre going to fall head over heels for these Pecan Pie Muffins! Imagine all the flavors of a Southern-style pecan pie ā buttery brown sugar, toasted pecans, and caramel-like richness ā baked into a tender, golden muffin with crisp edges and a soft, gooey center.
Theyāre easy to make, require just a few ingredients, and taste like a bakery treat you can whip up at home in under 30 minutes. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet afternoon snack!
š Why Youāll Love These Pecan Pie Muffins
ā
All the flavor of pecan pie ā in a handheld, muffin-sized treat.
ā
Quick & easy ā no crust, no mixer, no hassle.
ā
Simple ingredients ā everything you need is probably already in your pantry.
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Perfect texture ā crisp on the edges, soft and chewy in the center.
š„£ Ingredients
Youāll Need:
- 1 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark for deeper flavor)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chopped pecans (toasted for best flavor)
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup butter, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
š©āš³ Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Grease a 12-cup muffin tin very well with butter or nonstick spray (these muffins can stick easily).
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine brown sugar, flour, chopped pecans, and a pinch of salt.
Stir together until evenly mixed.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted butter, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined ā donāt overmix.
The batter will be thick and sticky, similar to cookie dough.
Step 4: Fill the Muffin Tin
Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups, filling each about ¾ full.
Step 5: Bake
Bake for 18ā22 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are fine).
Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5ā10 minutes before gently loosening them with a knife and transferring to a wire rack.
šÆ Serving Suggestions
Serve these Pecan Pie Muffins:
- Warm with a pat of butter or maple syrup for breakfast
- With a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for dessert
- Alongside coffee or tea for a sweet afternoon treat
Theyāre especially delightful during the fall and winter months ā perfect for Thanksgiving or Christmas mornings!
š” Recipe Variations
⨠Maple Pecan Muffins: Replace half the brown sugar with pure maple syrup for a naturally sweet twist.
⨠Chocolate Chip Version: Add ½ cup mini chocolate chips to the batter.
⨠Bourbon Pecan Muffins: Add 1 tablespoon bourbon to the wet ingredients for a grown-up flavor.
⨠Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
⨠Healthier Option: Swap half the butter for unsweetened applesauce and use coconut sugar instead of brown sugar.
š§ Storage & Reheating
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator: Keep for up to 1 week (microwave 10ā15 seconds before serving).
- Freezer: Wrap individually and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight or reheat in the microwave for a warm, gooey texture.
ā¤ļø Final Thoughts
These Pecan Pie Muffins are the perfect fusion of a muffin and a dessert ā buttery, nutty, and irresistibly sweet. Theyāre simple to make yet taste like something straight out of a Southern bakery.
Whether youāre baking them for brunch, a holiday breakfast, or just to satisfy a pecan pie craving without the work of making a crust, these muffins are sure to be a hit every time. š„°
Print
š§ Pecan Pie Muffins
Ingredients
⢠1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free 1:1 blend)
⢠¾ cup granulated sugar
⢠2 tsp baking powder
⢠½ tsp salt
⢠½ tsp cinnamon
⢠2 eggs
⢠ā
cup melted butter or coconut oil
⢠½ cup maple syrup or corn syrup
⢠1 tsp vanilla extract
⢠1 cup chopped pecans (plus extra for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or grease well.
- In a bowl, whisk flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- In another bowl, beat eggs, then mix in melted butter, maple syrup, and vanilla until smooth.
- Gradually add dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Fold in ¾ cup chopped pecans.
- Divide batter evenly among cups (they should be nearly full). Top with extra pecans.
- Bake 18ā22 minutes, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool in the pan 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
⨠Serve warm with coffee or as a sweet snack!
š” Make ahead: Store at room temp for 3 days or freeze for longer. Reheat before serving.
PREP TIME & NUTRITION :
Prep Time : 10 mins , Cook Time : 20 mins , Total Time : 30 mins , Servings : 12 muffins , Calories : 220 per muffin , Net Carbs: 26g , Fats: 11g , Protein: 3g