Another great combination, these pumpkin chocolate chip muffins got rave reviews from my co-workers. 

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

I tend to be a bit of a stress eater and consequently that also translates into being a stress baker! It’s a combination of sometimes fixing a craving and I find it a good way to take my mind off of things. The fall is traditionally a very busy time for me at work, and this year is no different. Last week, I was craving something pumpkin, but not quite ready to make Grandma Ardi’s Pumpkin Bars, so these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins fit the bill.

I found an initial recipe on Food.com and modified a bit from there to try to make them a little healthier.

Ingredients: 

  • 4 eggs
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 (15 oz.) can of pumpkin
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup oil (I used grapeseed oil, but you can also use vegetable oil)
  • 3/4 cup applesauce*
  • 3 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 (12 oz) bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips (regular or mini)

* 3/4 cup oil can be used in place of the applesauce for a total of 1 1/4 cups oil.

Directions:

  1. Heat oven to 400 degrees.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, mix eggs, sugar, pumpkin, vanilla extract, oil and applecauce in a large bowl until smooth.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix dry ingredients together.
  4. Fold dry ingredients into pumpkin mixture, then mix in chocolate chips.
  5. Pour batter into greased or paper lined muffin tin.
  6. Mini muffins bake for 12-15 minutes. Large muffins bake for 16-20 minutes

This makes quite a lot of batter. I originally intended to make all mini muffins but I would have been baking a long time, so I ended up with 24 mini muffins and 18 large muffins. If you’re making all large muffins, this recipe makes about 30.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

These turned out great! A good mix of pumpkin flavor with the chocolate chips. When I make these again (and I will), I will likely use mini chocolate chips, but other than that I wouldn’t change a thing.