Sunday, September 12, 2010

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins (made healthier!)

I'm looking out my window, feeling the subtle breeze and I can tell...fall is coming.

Fall is my time of year. The weather is perfect. The cuisine is comforting. All my favorite holidays are ahead, including my birthday, next Friday. Like I said, it's my time of year.

Few things make me happier than when the leaves start changing. 

Few things, I say, other than pumpkin. 

Pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin coffee...I'm surprised I'm not orange by Thanksgiving.

As so many foodies have said before me, pumpkin is an ingredient pigeonholed to October and November. Do you ever see a pumpkin pie at Easter or reach for a piping hot pumpkin spice latte in July? No.

But why is it, my friends, that we get so excited when it is pumpkin time? We love it. We go pumpkin nuts. 

I hated pumpkin for many years, but now I can totally say, after trying a pumkpin cheesecake, that I am a convert. And since last December, when Starbucks traded pumpkin for peppermint, I've longed for the spicy comfort of this seasonal standout.

Well, I will wait no longer. Fall is upon us, Halloween is seven weeks away and it's pumpkin time. So whip out a can and make these chocolate chip pumpkin muffins, and feel pretty good about them, because I've made them healthier for you. 
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins 
What ya need (for 14 muffins)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
2 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/4 cup water
1.5 cups AP flour
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
Sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips


What ya do:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line muffin tins with paper lining.
2. Mix sugar, oil and eggs. Add the pumpkin and water and continue to mix. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, spices and salt.
3. Pour wet mixture into dry and stir together. Don't overmix these little guys! Slowly fold in the chocolate chips, using up to 1 cup if you prefer
4. Fill cups 2/3 full of batter and bake in a preheated oven for about 20 minutes!

BOO!!!!!

Oh and guess what? Pumpkin galore recipes comin' your way!! And a giveaway, very soon!!! Keep on comin back!

17 comments:

Susi's Kochen und Backen said...

I adore anything pumpkin and you made it even better by adding chocolate chips! Fall and pumpkin season is definitely my favorite :o)

Unknown said...

Am definitely saving this recipe...thanks for sharing!!!

Unknown said...

I am a HUGE pumpkin fan. These (without the chocolate) look fantastic. I wonder how they'd be with white chocolate instead. Good? I do want to try it.

Christina said...

love those muffins girlfriend! :)

Baking Barrister said...

I love fall so much--the weather gets absolutely perfect. And pumpkin! I can't wait for pumpkin ice cream to come out in the store!

Anonymous said...

These pumpkin muffins look amazing...and I love your healthy touch...thank you! I too am super excited about fall. And loving your Halloween decorations!

Monet said...

Fall is also my favorite time of year...we are just waiting for it to happen here in Texas! And I love pumpkin muffins more than any baked good (truly!) These look delicious AND healthy...a winning combo in my book!

Anonymous said...

Fall is definitely my favorite time of year! I love these muffins, and I love the little Halloween decorations that you have! How adorable!

Evan @swEEts said...

I'm trying to hold out as long as I can for the wonderful veggie (or is it a fruit?) that is pumpkin.. a blessing in disguise I'm on business for the next 2 weeks without a kitchen! :( I'm totally with you on everything pumpkin though.. I even had a pumpkin spice latte today :)

Angie's Recipes said...

Definitely a great afternoon snack!

Kim (Liv Life) said...

We love pumpkin muffins! Actually, we are with you, just about pumpkin anything. These looks perfect for some lunch box snacks for the kids for school. Wish my daughter had not seen you post... she is now after me to put up Halloween Decorations! I'm not ready!
And... Congrats on a well deserved Top 9!

Julie said...

Fall is my favorite season too... all the leaves change here right around my birthday (10 days before Halloween). Pumpkin chip muffins are my husband's very favorite. I accidentally doubled the pumpkin when I made them once, and now we do it that way every time. :)

Emily Z said...

Fall is by far my favorite time of the year. I completely agree with you! These muffins look awesome. I am definitely going to have to try them. I always repost things I try from other bloggers, but I always link back to the original blogger, just FYI! Congrats on making the Top 9!

Angie L said...

Those look yummy! I'm in the mood for some fall baking and pumpkin. May have to give these a try!

Megan said...

I Love that first picture! So cute! I am featuring lots of pumpkin recipes on my blog (www.newlywife.com) next month. But, what I really came to say, was if you love pumpkin, then you need to try out this amazing Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe from Stef ODea (A Year of Slowcooking) http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2008/10/crockpot-pumpkin-spice-latte-recipe.html

The Chocolate Priestess said...

I was going to say that it was too soon for Halloween things but then I just announced our annual Halloween Treat Challenge to give chocolatiers time to respond.

I swear though if I see Christmas stuff out before Halloween I'm going to scream.

Anonymous said...

MMM I love anything pumpkin! I don't think I'm quite as ready for Halloween as you are, but I can definitely get on board with these muffins in the meantime :)