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Freshly baked Sticky Date Spice Muffins with caramelized date chunks and pecan crumble topping, resting on a rustic wooden table. Warm autumn spices like cinnamon and nutmeg dust the golden muffin tops. A steamy mug of coffee sits nearby in cozy sunlight

Sticky Date Spice Muffins

The Ultimate Autumn Treat
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Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Servings:12 standard muffins
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients:
  • 1½ cups 180g unbleached all-purpose flour - Provides structure
  • 1 tsp aluminum-free baking powder - For proper rise
  • ½ tsp baking soda - Helps with browning
  • 1½ tsp ground cinnamon - Warm aromatic spice
  • ½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg - Adds depth of flavor
  • ¼ tsp fine sea salt - Balances sweetness
Wet Ingredients:
  • 1 cup about 10-12 Medjool dates, pitted and chopped - Natural sweetener
  • ¾ cup 180ml freshly boiled water - Hydrates dates
  • ⅓ cup 70g packed dark brown sugar - Caramel notes
  • ¼ cup 60ml melted coconut oil or unsalted butter - For richness
  • 1 large free-range egg - Binds ingredients
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract - Flavor enhancer
Optional Toppings:
  • 2 tbsp toasted pecans roughly chopped - For crunch
  • 1 tbsp turbinado sugar - Sparkly finish

Method
 

Prepare the Date Paste
  1. Place chopped dates in a heatproof bowl
  2. Pour boiling water over dates and let steep for 10 minutes
  3. Mash with a fork until you achieve a chunky-smooth consistency (some small pieces are fine)
  4. Pro Tip: For extra flavor, steep dates in hot chai tea instead of plain water
Mix Dry Ingredients
  1. In a separate large bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and baking soda
  2. Whisk in cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt until evenly distributed
Create Wet Mixture
  1. To the date mixture, add brown sugar, melted coconut oil/butter, egg, and vanilla
  2. Whisk vigorously until fully emulsified and smooth
  3. Variation: Add ½ tsp orange zest for a bright citrus note
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
  1. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients
  2. Pour the wet mixture into the well
  3. Using a rubber spatula, fold gently until just incorporated (don't overmix!)
Bake to Perfection
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
  2. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners
  3. Portion batter evenly, filling each cup about ¾ full
  4. Sprinkle with chopped pecans and turbinado sugar
  5. Bake for 18-22 minutes until golden and a toothpick comes out clean