Description
These spiced parsnip and maple muffins combine the natural sweetness of grated parsnip and maple syrup with warm spices and crunchy pecans for a moist and flavorful treat. Topped with a creamy maple frosting and garnished with whole pecans, these muffins are perfect for breakfast, teatime, or a cozy snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Muffins
- 200g plain flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon, plus extra to serve (optional)
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- 125g light brown soft sugar
- 1 parsnip (around 200g), peeled and grated
- 100g pecans, chopped, plus 10-12 whole pecans to serve (optional)
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 3 eggs
- 125ml vegetable oil
Frosting
- 50g icing sugar
- 50g softened butter
- 100g soft cheese
- 1 tbsp maple syrup, plus extra for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare tin: Heat the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and line a 12-hole muffin tin with paper cases.
- Mix dry ingredients: Sift the plain flour, baking powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a large bowl. Add the light brown sugar and rub any lumps between your fingers to break them up.
- Add parsnip and pecans: Mix the grated parsnip and chopped pecans into the dry ingredients until fully combined.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a jug, mix the maple syrup, eggs, and vegetable oil together thoroughly.
- Mix batter: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and gently mix with a wooden spoon until nearly combined; it’s okay to have a few specks of flour remaining.
- Fill muffin cases: Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the batter into each paper case, filling them three-quarters full.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 22-24 minutes until the muffins have risen and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool muffins: Let the muffins cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make frosting: Sift the icing sugar into a bowl, then beat in the softened butter using an electric whisk until smooth. Fold in the soft cheese and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup. If the frosting is too loose, whisk for a few more minutes or chill until it thickens.
- Decorate muffins: Spoon or pipe the frosting over the cooled muffins. Drizzle with extra maple syrup, dust with cinnamon, and top each muffin with a whole pecan if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute pecans with walnuts if preferred.
- For a more pronounced spice flavor, increase cinnamon and nutmeg slightly.
- Ensure parsnip is finely grated to blend smoothly into the batter.
- Adjust frosting consistency by chilling or additional whisking depending on your piping preference.
- Store muffins in an airtight container for up to 3 days; refrigerate if frosted.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 24 mins
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Keywords: parsnip muffins, maple syrup muffins, spiced muffins, pecan muffins, autumn baking, vegetarian muffins
