Pumpkin Ale Muffins with Graham Cracker Streusel Topping
Don’t judge me for this.
It’s obligatory. After all, I am a blogger, and it is pumpkin season. And as the beer-food blogging hybrid beast that I am, pumpkin season means two things. First, there is the food blog trend of Pumpkin All The Things that I must participate in. Second, there are the most highly anticipated of all seasonal beers: The Pumpkin Ale.
So naturally, I couldn’t let this season slip away without presenting you with a few pumpkined items, roll your pumpkin weary eyes if you will, but it’s not over yet.
I will now further assault you with a list of Must Try Pumpkin Beers, In no particular order. Are you sick of list? I hope not, I am quite the list maker, so sit tight, it’s about to get real.
1. Souther, Tier Pumpking. This has been on my list for a while, but being a West Coaster, it’s not available to me anywhere near my current longitude. It’s only because of This Girl and her new Husband that I was able to try it a few months ago in Boston. It’s fantastic. An epic example of Pumpkin Done Right. If you’re on the East Coast, it’s fairly mandatory that you pick one up.
2. Shipyard, Smashed Pumpkin. This is what you grab if you want to be punch in the mouth with some pumpkin, it’s not subtle, as Shipyard rarely is. It’s full force pumpkin in your face.
3. Elysian, Night Owl Pumpkin Ale. A nice, low ABV (I like the low alcohol beers, it means I can drink more) pumpkin pie tasting treat. More subtle than others, with a nice maltyness.
4. Avery, Rumpkin. This guy is a beast. If there was a Pumpkin Ale School Yard Bully, it’s this guy. Not only did Avery make a pumpkin ale that demands attention, they went and aged it in rum barrels (!!!!) to give you a monster ale with monster flavor and monster ABV. Be prepared to share, or at least call a cab.
5. Cigar City Brewing, Good Gourd Imperial Pumpkin Ale. This is what happens when your pumpkin beer takes a Caribbean vacation. Unique spices that come from Jamaica give you a new take, completely worth seeking out.
Pumpkin Ale Muffins with Graham Cracker Streusel Topping
Ingredients
For The Muffins
- 2 cups flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ¾ cup pumpkin puree
- 2/3 cup pumpkin ale
- 2 egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup melted butter
- ¼ cup canola oil
For the Topping:
- 5 standard sized graham cracker sheets
- 2 tbs all purpose flour
- 1 tbs brown sugar
- pinch salt
- 3 tbs melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- In a large bowl sort together the flour, brown sugar, white sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and ginger.
- In a small bowl stir together the pumpkin puree, pumpkin ale, eggs, vanilla extract, melted butter and canola oil.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined.
- Spray 12 muffin tins with cooking spray.
- Scoop the batter into the well of a muffin tin to about 2/3 full.
- In a food processor, add the graham crackers and process until reduced to just crumbs.
- Add the flour, brown sugar and salt, pulse to combine.
- Add the melted butter and process until well combines.
- Scoop about 1-2 tbs graham cracker mixture on top of the muffin batter.
- Bake at 350 for 18-22 minutes or until top spring back when lightly touched.
Notes
2/3 cup raisins,
2/3 cup chocolate chips,
2/3 cup dried cranberries or cherries,
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Comments
Averie @ Averie Cooks September 13, 2013 um 2:19 am
Girl I was just at a Kerrygold event tonight with beer + cheese pairings/tastings and thought of you!! You would have been in heaven I think! Your muffins look wonderful! Pinned!
Sandi Graham September 13, 2013 um 5:11 am
Yum yum yum !!!! I am so ready for Fall here in Texas. I might make these and dream of 60 degree weather
Tieghan September 13, 2013 um 5:24 am
These look too good!! That streusel topping is killer!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet September 13, 2013 um 9:34 am
Pumpkin beer muffins – genius! But then I think that about every recipe you share here, Jackie! Love these! Pinning!
Joanie Dorsey September 13, 2013 um 10:26 am
I love Elysian Pumpkin Ale. Just like drinking Pumpkin Pie. Another reason Fall is my favorite season. I definitely will be making these!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking September 13, 2013 um 11:44 am
These muffins look so hearty, warm and irresistible for breakfast! Great recipe!
Ashley – Baker by Nature September 13, 2013 um 11:48 am
Oh Jackie, every time I think "she can’t get any cooler"… you do. I love it. And these muffins!!!
Sarah|pickledcapers September 13, 2013 um 2:38 pm
I have, in general, been annoyed this last week by the pumpkin onslaught (mostly because it is still 103 here in Phoenix and I am not above petty envy). However, this recipe (and your very intriguing article and list along with it) not only avoided the typical eye-roll, but is getting a bookmark for sometime in the the 30-degrees-less future.
Jackie September 13, 2013 um 2:55 pm
Good to know I passed the typical eye-roll test! 😉
Samantha September 13, 2013 um 5:04 pm
I am of the minority that does not enjoy Southern Tiers Pumpking. I try it every year, to no avail. Smells like super sweet banana bread. Too sweet, cloying for my taste, lots of vanilla and spice, but little squash…except for a slight creamed corn taste. Not my cup of tea. But many, many people I know do enjoy it. My favorite is hands down remains Weyerbacher’s Imperial Pumpkin Ale. That punch of ginger right up front always makes me crave a good curry. And for one that truly tastes like pumpkin pie in a glass…Town Hall Brewery’s Petunia’s Pumpkin Ale. But alas, it will never be available outside of this Minneapolis brewpub.
addie | culicurious September 13, 2013 um 7:02 pm
These muffins look great AND thanks for the beer recos! 🙂
Sarah | The Sugar Hit September 13, 2013 um 7:52 pm
I can’t even roll my eyes, because they won’t stop staring at these muffins. Sweet sweet streusel, it looks amazing.
Cassie September 14, 2013 um 8:06 am
I’m just not quite ready to bring out the pumpkin yet. But pumpkin BEER, I’m there. I had one kind of pumpkin beer last year, from a local brewery and it was actually really good. Looking forward to trying more this year. And these muffins!
Susan@LunaCafe September 15, 2013 um 1:56 pm
What a lovely, creative post! I have yet to try pumpkin ale but am now encouraged to give it a go. These muffins look stellar too.
Dawn September 15, 2013 um 5:07 pm
I LOVE pumpkin! Like, it’s an addiction. Especially pumpkin beers.
If you’re ever in Dallas try the Lakewood Brewery Punkle. Delicious. And oddly available in more than just "pumpkin season" in some bars. Sadly, here in Texas it’s still WAY too warm to feel fall-y and pumpkin-y. But I’ll still pretend.
Also, I got an email that your book is being released early?! It seriously improved the crappy day I had Friday, even if it’s just a glitch. And this recipe will improve the upcoming stressful week. THANK YOU!
Alyssa September 16, 2013 um 2:33 am
I adore your blog and I believed I might have a goggle stalking type crush on you. No biggie.
Michelle Lahey September 16, 2013 um 11:02 am
My husband ages a bottle of Southern Tier Pumpking every year, and we always open it on Thanksgiving. Sometimes, the bottle’s been aging for 2-3 years! So, so good.
Maria G. September 18, 2013 um 2:01 pm
I have never heard anything about pumpkin muffins! Maybe because of the fact that I usually cook pumpkin as a side dish to meat and I`ve never tasted it as a dessert. I should definitely try to bake it.
barb September 27, 2013 um 3:36 am
I left off the topping & used the beer I had on hand (good beer, but not pumpkin ale) and they were still delicious. Definitely a copy and save.
Carol October 1, 2013 um 2:55 am
I purchased the cookbook! I love it. I made the orange chocolate muffins and they are so good, best muffins I’ve ever made.
Sophia@ NY Foodgasm October 2, 2013 um 8:32 am
Just discovered you on pinterest and I am IN LOVE with your blog!! I have been cooking with beer to also feel a part of the local craft beer scene! We have so much in common. I have lost a lot of weight so all my recipes also happen to be on the lighter side. LOVE what I see, subscribing!