Pumpkin Spice Sourdough English Muffins
These pumpkin spice sourdough English muffins are warmly spiced, perfectly sweetened, and bursting with real pumpkin flavor, an irresistible fall twist on a classic favorite.
Equipment
- Food scale/measuring spoons
- Mixing bowl
- Bench/dough scraper
- Large baking sheet
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
For the sweet levain (optional)
- 15 grams active sourdough starter
- 15 grams sugar (honey can be used too)
- 40 grams water (decrease to 30 grams if using honey)
- 40 grams all-purpose or bread flour
For the dough
- 80 grams sweet levain or regular starter (from above )
- 200 grams milk (slightly warmed)
- 120 grams pumpkin puree
- 25 grams light brown sugar
- 35 grams honey
- 5 grams vanilla extract
- 40 grams avocado oil OR melted unsalted butter
- 2 & 1/2 (8-9 grams) teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
- 1 (2-3 grams) teaspoon cinnamon (optional but adds warmth)
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 430 grams bread flour (plus more as needed )
- 9 grams salt
For frying
- 1/4 cup cornmeal for coating
- 1-2 tablespoons butter for frying
Instructions
Make the sweet levain
-
In the morning mix together the sourdough starter, sugar (or honey if using), and water in a small jar until mostly dissolved. Then add the flour and mix until combined. Cover the jar loosely, and let it rest until doubled in size (6-8 hours).
Mix the dough
-
**The dough can be mixed by hand or a stand mixer.
In a large bowl combine the sweet leavin or sourdough starter, warmed milk, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, honey, vanilla extract, oil (or butter), pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg until combined.
-
Next, add the flour and salt and mix until a shaggy dough is formed. It will be sticky- this is normal.
-
Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for 20 to 30 minutes
Knead the dough
-
Cover the bowl and let the dough rest for 20 to 30 minutes, then knead by hand or mixer for 5 to 8 minutes until mostly smooth. Use flour to assist with stickiness, but try not exceed more than 1/4 cup.
Pro tip: The dough will feel sticky—and may become stickier as you knead. To avoid overworking it or adding too much flour, let the dough rest for 10–15 minutes. This allows the gluten to relax, making it much easier to finish kneading afterward.
-
Once the dough has come together, is smoother, and slightly tacky cover it in a buttered bowl and let it rest for 20-30 minutes.
-
Perform 1 stretch and fold to the dough after it has rested, cover it, and let it rest overnight (8-10 hours) at room temperature (68-70 degrees F).
If you're unsure whether your dough is rising properly, refer to the notes below for additional guidance.
Shape the pumpkin spice sourdough English muffins
-
By morning, the dough should look well-risen (doubled in size).
-
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and generously sprinkle it with cornmeal. Also, prepare a separate plate with cornmeal for coating the dough rounds.
-
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, weigh it, and divide it into 10 equal pieces.
-
Gently shape each piece into a smooth ball by tucking the seams underneath and pulling the dough toward you to create surface tension. It is normal for the dough to be a little sticky use flour to assist with this.
-
Dip both sides in cornmeal and set the muffins on the parchment paper lined pan spaced slightly apart.
-
Cover the dough with oiled plastic wrap or a dampened towel and let them rest until doubled in size (3-5 hours) depending on the temperature in your home.
Pro tip: Place the tray in the oven with the light turned on for gentle warmth.
Bake the pumpkin spice sourdough English muffins
-
The pumpkin spice sourdough English muffins are ready to be baked once they are doubled in size, airy, and puffy. They should be very light and delicate to the touch.
-
Once the pumpkin spice sourdough English muffins have finished their second rise, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and heat a nonstick or cast iron skillet over low heat and add a tablespoon of butter.
-
Working in batches of 3 or 4, gently transfer the muffins to the skillet (lightly oil a spatula for easy transferring) and cook for about 3 minutes on each side, or until lightly golden and set on the surface.
-
Once the muffins are griddled, transfer them back to the parchment-lined sheet pan and bake for 12 to 15 minutes, or until fully cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 200–205°F (93–96°C) to ensure doneness.
-
Pumpkin spice sourdough English muffins toast beautifully and are the perfect match for cinnamon butter, whipped cream cheese, or jam!
Storage Instructions
-
Allow pumpkin spice sourdough English muffins to cool completely before storing. For short-term storage, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
-
For the best long-term freshness, freeze the muffins in a zip-top bag or airtight container. To reheat, simply toast them straight from frozen—this preserves their texture and flavor beautifully, just like they were freshly made.
Notes
Baker’s schedule: Make the sweet levain in the morning, mix the dough in the evening and allow it to rest overnight (8-10 hours) at room temperature (68-73 degrees F). Shape the English muffins the following morning, allow to rest until doubled in size (3-5 hours) and bake.
Need more time? After the first rise, the sourdough English muffin dough can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours for added flexibility and flavor development.
Do I have to use a sweet levain? No. A regular 100% hydration sourdough starter works perfectly. Just make sure it’s active, bubbly, and at its peak when you mix the dough. Keep in mind, it may produce a slightly more tangy flavor.
Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour? Bread flour yields the best results, but if you’re using all-purpose flour, reduce the milk by 20 grams to account for lower absorption.
Why isn't my dough rising? Don't worry if your dough is taking longer than expected to rise! The added cinnamon and warm spices can slow down fermentation, meaning this dough may need more time to rise than traditional sourdough English muffin dough. For best results, place your covered dough in a warm spot (75–78°F) or in an oven that's turned off with just the light on. Be patient and allow the dough to become noticeably puffy before moving on to the next step. Remember, sourdough rises on its own schedule!
Have a question? Be sure to check out the troubleshooting section in this article for helpful tips and answers.
