These Pecan Pie Muffins are a delicious twist on the classic pecan pie, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dessert. Each muffin has a soft, moist base with a gooey, nutty topping that tastes just like traditional pecan pie in a convenient handheld form.
Ingredients (Makes 12 Muffins)
For the Muffins
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1¾ cups all-purpose flour
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½ cup granulated sugar
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2 teaspoons baking powder
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½ teaspoon baking soda
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¼ teaspoon salt
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½ cup unsalted butter, melted
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¾ cup milk
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2 large eggs
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Pecan Pie Topping
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½ cup brown sugar, packed
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¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
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2 tablespoons corn syrup or honey
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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1 cup pecans, chopped
Instructions
1. Prepare the Muffin Batter
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
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Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly.
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In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
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In another bowl, mix melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
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Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined.
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Tip: Do not overmix; the batter should be slightly lumpy.
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2. Prepare the Pecan Pie Topping
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In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, melted butter, corn syrup, and vanilla.
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Stir in chopped pecans.
3. Assemble the Muffins
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Spoon muffin batter into prepared muffin cups, filling about 2/3 full.
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Evenly spoon pecan topping over each muffin.
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Press lightly so topping sticks to batter.
4. Bake
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Bake in preheated oven for 18–22 minutes, or until muffins are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (excluding the sticky topping).
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Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
5. Serve & Enjoy
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Serve warm or at room temperature.
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Optional: Drizzle with a little caramel sauce or dust with powdered sugar.
Tips for Perfect Pecan Pie Muffins
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Use fresh pecans for the best flavor.
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For extra gooeyness, add a small dollop of cream cheese to the center of each muffin before topping.
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Muffins can be stored in an airtight container for 2–3 days or frozen for longer storage.
Variations
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Chocolate Pecan Muffins: Add ½ cup chocolate chips to the batter.
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Maple Pecan Muffins: Replace corn syrup with maple syrup for a maple flavor.
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Mini Muffins: Use a mini muffin tin for bite-sized treats; reduce baking time to 12–15 minutes.
These Pecan Pie Muffins capture all the sweet, nutty goodness of pecan pie in a fluffy, portable muffin—perfect for any occasion!