These Spiced Acorn Squash Apple Muffins are exactly the type of breakfast one craves in the winter months- slightly sweet and full of spice.
I’ve been known to bake muffins when life gets tough. When Hurricane Sandy was approaching DC last year, I found myself in the kitchen frantically preparing muffins even though we knew the power could go out at any moment.
It didn’t matter. For me, there is a certain zen calm that occurs when I’m baking muffins. It’s soothing. It gives me a purpose. It somehow makes me feel in control in an otherwise chaotic situation.
These spiced acorn squash apple muffins served exactly the same purpose. We’ve been dealing with a health crisis here and I’m feeling very powerless. We recently discovered that Jeff has herniated 2 discs in his neck and will likely need surgery within the next few weeks.
I hate watching him in pain and knowing there is absolutely nothing I can do to fix it. It’s really the worst feeling.
Hopefully things will improve soon. For now all I can do is be strong and supportive, keep the house nice and clean and make him his favorite meals. And muffins, of course.
Homemade Buttermilk Substitute
Did you know you can make homemade buttermilk from scratch to use in this recipe? Save yourself a trip to the store by checking out my post How To Make Buttermilk Substitute!
Spiced Acorn Squash Apple Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (see notes for a homemade mix)
- 4 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup pureed acorn squash, approximately 1 small squash, see notes
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 tart apple, peeled, cored and chopped
Instructions
- Position the oven rack in the center and preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease a standard 12 muffin pan or line it with paper cups.
- Whisk/sift together the all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking soda, sea salt and pumpkin pie spice.
- In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), cream the butter and sugars together on high speed until light and fluffy. Turn the speed down to low and add the eggs, one at a time, allowing each to incorporate completely for about 30 seconds.
- By hand, stir in the the vanilla, acorn squash and buttermilk. Do not over-mix or the batter might break (the muffins will still be fine if it does, you'll just want to move more quickly).
- Once the wet ingredients are combined, stir in the flour mixture by hand, followed by the chopped apples.
- Use a muffin scoop to evenly distribute the batter into the prepared muffin pan. Bake for 20 minutes. Allow to cool before serving.
Notes
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 3/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Please read my full post for additional recipe notes, tips, and serving suggestions!
Nutrition
Recipe Troubleshooting
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So sorry to hear about Jeff! Sending good thoughts your way! And, on a happier note…I love the apple & acorn squash combo in these muffins!!
Sending lots of positive energy your way. In a few weeks from now I’m sure things will be back to the usual level of chaos. :)
These muffins look scrumptious!! xo
I am so sorry to heart that, Jen … Hope Jeff feels better soon!
These muffins look amazing!
beautiful and delicious looking muffins! I’m sorry about your husband – I hope everything goes smoothly with the surgery and that he heals quickly! He’s lucky to have you :) you can cook lots for him while he recovers!
Herniated discs are the pits. I had to have surgery on one in my lower back 2.5 years ago because it was cutting off the nerve to my left leg. Best wishes to him! May he have a speedy recovery!
I’m sorry to hear of Jeff’s issues. Hopefully he will be feeling better soon!
Oh no. I’m so sorry. My hubby had hernia surgery a couple of years ago. Hope your hubby feels better soon.
Oh boo, that sucks Jen. I’m so sorry. Paul has to have rotator cuff surgery (from years and years of playing baseball) and I’m pretty concerned myself. We can console each other.
Oh no, I’m very sorry to hear Jeff is in pain. :( Praying for the fast recovery after his surgery. Sending positive thoughts your way.
I love your minimal food styling! So simple and easily focus on the food and these muffins look delicious!
Hoping Jeff gets back to normal soon, keep on muffining! :)
Muffins can cure a lot of things, hoping they help with the neck! These sound delicious and look amazing.
Jen,
I hope your spouse’s pain is fixed with the upcoming surgery and that his recovery goes well.
I get into the kitchen to help me cope (wish cleaning would do it for me but alas) and I am hopeful with the optimistic lighting of these photos. Like putting on a brightly tie-dyed tshirt on a gloomy rainy day.
Well it makes sense to me, but I probably cannot explain it to well.
I get it :)
Squash and apple together sounds divine! I bet sweet potato would be a great sub here too :)
I’m so sorry you’re going through a rough time, I hope your husband gets better soon. :) I haven’t made muffins in a long time and I have some squash on hand as well as apples so I think these muffins need to happen!!!
these are awesome…. I added a little coconut and some maple flavoring as well the vanilla. Happy birthday!!!