Pumpkin Muffins for the Feast of St. Luke

As we celebrate the Feast of St. Luke on October 18th, I love incorporating small traditions into our daily life that bring the liturgical calendar into our homes. One fun way to do this is by baking something special that’s tied to the day. Did you know that pumpkins are a traditional St. Luke’s Day food?

In Venice, Italy, there’s an old proverb that says pumpkins go stale on St. Luke’s Day! This idea may have been tied to the harvest season and the autumn transition. While we may not think of pumpkins as "going stale" now, it’s a great excuse to bake something warm and cozy with them as fall settles in.

Since the Feast of St. Luke often comes with lovely “summer-like” days in the northern hemisphere (often called St. Luke’s Little Summer), I think baking a comforting treat with the rich flavors of fall is a wonderful way to celebrate. That’s where these Pumpkin Muffins come in.

They’re moist, lightly spiced, and just perfect for an afternoon snack with tea or as a quick breakfast. Plus, they fill the house with that lovely autumn aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin. Whether you're familiar with the Feast of St. Luke or simply looking for a reason to bake with pumpkin, this recipe is a delicious way to bring the flavors of fall into your kitchen.

So, let’s get started!

Pumpkin Muffins for the Feast of St. Luke

• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree

• 2 cups granulated sugar

• 1 cup light brown sugar

• 1 cup vegetable oil

• 4 large eggs

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon ground ginger

• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Grease the muffin pans. Whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vegetable oil in a large bowl until well combined. Add the canned pumpkin puree, eggs, and vanilla extract, and mix until fully incorporated.

In a separate medium bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredient mixture. Mix gently until just combined, avoiding over-mixing. Pour the batter evenly into the prepared muffin pans.

Place the muffin pans in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a central muffin comes out clean.

The recipe yields 2 dozen muffins.

Enjoy!

These Pumpkin Muffins are a simple, sweet way to celebrate the Feast of St. Luke. As we honor this special man, may this small tradition remind us of the goodness God and the richness of our faith.

Enjoy baking and savoring these muffins with your family or loved ones this St. Luke’s Day!

And if you'd like to learn all about St. Luke and more meaningful ways to celebrate him in your home click here.