• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Girl Heart Food

Eat Well. Cook with Love. Make your Belly Happy.

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About & Contact
    • Work with Girl Heart Food
  • Subscribe
  • Privacy Policy & Terms of Use
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
Home » Breakfast » Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins {with cranberries}

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins {with cranberries}

October 14, 2018 Updated: September 11, 2019 By Dawn - Girl Heart Food 25 Comments

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Yummly
  • Email
  • Mix
Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
Three chocolate chip pumpkin muffins with cranberries and pumpkin seeds stacked on top of each other.

Easy pumpkin muffin anyone?  These Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins with cranberries are jam packed with warming fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and ginger. Plus, there’s pumpkin seeds for added oomph and texture. They’re sure to be a fall favourite!

Three chocolate chip pumpkin muffins stacked on top of each other on a wooden board.

So, I’ve already made this pumpkin chocolate chip muffin recipe about a million times.  I’ve been testing them out before I shared with you guys.  Ok, not a million times but a lot. 

And at some point I didn’t have to ‘test’ anymore, but I think I just wanted to keep eatin’ ’em.  The struggle is real, you guys.  Can you blame me?

These easy pumpkin muffins have lots of iconic fall players, like cinnamon, nutmeg and pumpkin puree and they’re topped with pumpkin seeds for a little texture.  Bonus—>they make your home smell amazing!

What is Pumpkin Purée?

If you ever find yourself pondering some of life’s serious questions, like ‘Why is the earth round?’ ‘Where did I come from’ or ‘What is pumpkin purée?’ (HA), the answer is a simple one—>

It’s literally what the name says – ‘pure pumpkin.’  Pumpkin is roasted and then blitzed up until nice and smooth. 

Don’t think ‘OMG, Dawn, now I gotta make my own pumpkin puree?!’ 

No, no. The stuff is readily available in your grocery store where you would typically find baked goods.

The puree is what’s used in these pumpkin chocolate chip muffins.  Don’t be tempted to use ‘pumpkin pie filling’.  It’s not the same thing…at all.  That stuff is sweetened and has added spices. 

Can I Use Scratch Made Pumpkin Purée?

Absolutely! It will add more to your prep time, but if you don’t mind that, go right ahead.

My friend, Amy, of House of Nash Eats has a how-to guide on how to make homemade pumpkin purée from scratch.

How to Make Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

MIX TOGETHER DRY INGREDIENTS, including both flours, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and clove. Lay to one side. Preheat oven at this point too.

MIX TOGETHER WET INGREDIENTS

  • First blend together butter and sugar until combined and nice and fluffy using a stand mixer or hand mixer.
  • Add vanilla extract.
  • Add eggs, one at a time.
  • Blend in pumpkin puree and almond milk.
  • Slowly add reserved flour mixture.
  • Finally, blend in chocolate chips and cranberries.

PORTION BATTER & BAKE!

Line muffin tin with liners and spray with baking spray. Distribute batter among liners and fill right up! Bake!

COOL & ENJOY!

Batter for an easy pumpkin muffin recipe in a mixing bowl.

Do These Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins Freeze Well?

Absolutely!

Place in freezer safe bags or containers, label container and freeze. Thaw when ready to enjoy.

Tips & Variations for Making This Easy Pumpkin Recipe

  • This recipe yields a lot of batter. Use it all! Fill up the muffin liners completely; each muffin has a full standard ice-cream scoop plus a little bit.
  • If you’d rather you can skip the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and clove and add about 2 teaspoons or so of pumpkin pie spice.
  • Dark chocolate chips are used in this recipe, but feel free to use milk, semi-sweet or even white chocolate chips. I also tested with chocolate chunks;  while they gave the same taste, I preferred the look of chips.
  • Bake until a wooden skewer comes out free from wet batter.  These take about 18-20 minutes; check on at 18 minutes since ovens vary.
  • Like pretty much all baked goods, these are best enjoyed the day they are made, but can last up to 3 days. 
Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins in a muffin tin alongside decorative pumpkin.

Other Easy Pumpkin Recipes to Use Leftover Canned Pumpkin

Find yourself with lots of leftover pumpkin puree?  Some of those cans are huge (usually 3 cup’s worth).  No worries! I got ya covered with some other pumpkin recipes –

  • No Bake Pumpkin Pie Bites – These are like pumpkin pie in a healthier form. Plus, they take minutes to whip up (and have yummy white chocolate chips).
  • Pumpkin Mac n Cheese with Kale and Bacon – Creamy mac and cheese with savoury pumpkin and crispy bacon? Yes please!
  • Pumpkin Pie Smoothie – This healthy pumpkin smoothie comes together in minutes and will disappear in a flash. So good!
  • Spiced Pumpkin Hummus – This is such a delicious way to mix up the ol’ hummus routine. It’s a healthy dip that you can enjoy with your favourite tortilla chips or veggie sticks.
Someone holding up a pumpkin chocolate muffin cut in half to show interior.

Hope you love this easy pumpkin chocolate muffin recipe as much as we do!

Until next time, take care and chit chat again soon,

~Dawn

P.S. Think this pumpkin muffin recipe will make your belly happy too? Please be sure to hit that little Pin button! Many thanks, you guys! XO

A pan chocolate chip pumpkin muffins.
Print
5 from 12 votes

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins (with cranberries)

Easy pumpkin muffin anyone?  These Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins with cranberries are jam packed with warming fall spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and ginger. Plus, there's pumpkin seeds for added oomph and texture. They're sure to be a fall favourite!
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American, Canadian
Keyword easy pumpkin muffins, fall muffins, leftover pumpkin puree
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 18 minutes
Cooling 10 minutes
Total Time 38 minutes
Servings 12 muffins
Calories 328kcal
Author Dawn – Girl Heart Food

Ingredients

  • 1.5 cup all purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1/4 tsp clove
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar -packed
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter -at room temperature
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs -I used ‘large’
  • 1 cup pure pumpkin puree -not pumpkin pie filling
  • 1/3 cup vanilla almond milk
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips -plus more for top before baking
  • 1 cup dried cranberries
  • baking spray -to grease muffin liners
  • 1-2 tbsp unsalted pumpkin seeds

Instructions

  • Mix all dry ingredients down to clove in a bowl and lay to one side.  Preheat oven to 400 F.
  • In a stand mixer (or using a hand mixer) blend butter and sugar until combined and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  • Add vanilla extract. Then, add and eggs, one at a time, until combined. Add pumpkin puree and almond milk and blend about 30 seconds.
  • Add reserved flour mixture to stand mixer mixture and blend until just combined, about 1-2 minutes.  Add chocolate chunks and cranberries and blend until incorporated.
  • Line muffin tin with muffin liners and spray with baking spray.  Scoop muffin mixture into liners. Top with pumpkin seeds and extra chocolate chips.  Bake about 18-20 minutes or until wooden skewer comes out clean when inserted into muffins.  Let cool on rack about 10-20 minutes.  Enjoy!

Notes

  • This recipe yields a lot of batter. Use it all! Fill up the muffin liners completely; each muffin has a full standard ice-cream scoop plus a little bit.
  • If you’d rather you can skip the cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and clove and add about 2 teaspoons or so of pumpkin pie spice.
  • Dark chocolate chips are used in this recipe, but feel free to use milk, semi-sweet or even white chocolate chips. I also tested with chocolate chunks;  while they gave the same taste, I preferred the look of chips.
  • Bake until a wooden skewer comes out free from wet batter.  These take about 18-20 minutes; check on at 18 minutes since ovens vary.
  • Like pretty much all baked goods, these are best enjoyed the day they are made, but can last up to 3 days.
Tried this recipe? That’s awesome!Mention @dawn.girlheartfood or tag #girlheartfood

Nutrition (estimate only)

Calories: 328kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 242mg | Potassium: 288mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 3455IU | Vitamin C: 0.9mg | Calcium: 114mg | Iron: 1.8mg
Nutrition Facts
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins (with cranberries)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 328 Calories from Fat 126
% Daily Value*
Fat 14g22%
Saturated Fat 9g56%
Cholesterol 47mg16%
Sodium 242mg11%
Potassium 288mg8%
Carbohydrates 46g15%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 24g27%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 3455IU69%
Vitamin C 0.9mg1%
Calcium 114mg11%
Iron 1.8mg10%
* Nutrition estimate only. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Three chocolate chip pumpkin muffins with cranberries and pumpkin seeds stacked on top of each other.

Filed Under: Breakfast, Muffins Tagged With: chocolate, cranberries, muffins, pumpkin

© Girl Heart Food.  All images and content are COPYRIGHT PROTECTED. Please do not use any images without prior permission.  Please do not republish this recipe.  If you want to reference this recipe, link directly back to this post. Thank you.

Previous Post: « Breakfast Quesadilla Recipe {made in 15 minutes!}
Next Post: Kale Salad with Apple (& Honey Lemon Vinaigrette) »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kelly | Foodtasia

    October 17, 2018 at 9:09 pm

    YUM! These lovely muffins have it all! I love how you have so much fall flavor packed into these! And the sweet-tangy combo with the chocolate and cranberries – so much yum! Using the pumpkin seeds with the pumpkin is brilliant!

    Reply
    • Girl Heart Food

      October 18, 2018 at 12:35 pm

      Thanks Kelly! They are pretty tasty 🙂

      Reply
  2. Kevin

    October 17, 2018 at 2:25 pm

    5 stars
    I’m loving your recipes with all the fall flavors and I bet this one will not disappoint either! Can’t wait to give it a try!

    Reply
    • Girl Heart Food

      October 18, 2018 at 12:34 pm

      Thanks so much, Kevin! Definitely not 😉

      Reply
  3. Ben|Havocinthekitchen

    October 16, 2018 at 9:18 pm

    5 stars
    Dawn, you’re 100% guilty! I mean, you’ve made and tasted these delicious muffins many times, and you’ve never shipped me a single muffin. That’s cruel, you know. On the other hand, these muffins look and sound so delicious that I’m willing to forgive you.

    Reply
    • Girl Heart Food

      October 17, 2018 at 10:02 am

      Hehehehe 😀 Happy to hear that Ben 😉 Thanks so much!

      Reply
  4. Bill

    October 16, 2018 at 10:12 am

    5 stars
    When food looks and sounds so good like this, you can’t help imagining how it tastes. These are all wonder fall flavors in a simple muffin — I love it. Especially the cranberry to round it out. Count me in, Dawn!

    Reply
    • Girl Heart Food

      October 17, 2018 at 10:01 am

      You got it! Thanks Bill 🙂

      Reply
  5. Laura

    October 15, 2018 at 5:52 pm

    5 stars
    Dawn – as you know, pumpkin + chocolate is the match made in heaven you never knew about when you were a kid – well, I didn’t anyway! I can’t get enough! And this recipe looks like total heaven! Thanks!

    Reply
    • Girl Heart Food

      October 15, 2018 at 8:07 pm

      Haha…totally know what ya mean! Thank you Laura 🙂

      Reply
  6. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen

    October 15, 2018 at 4:48 pm

    5 stars
    These are loaded with all the fallish ingredients I love Dawn! I’d have a hard time enjoying just one! Pinned!

    Reply
    • Girl Heart Food

      October 15, 2018 at 8:06 pm

      Yay! Thanks so much, Mary Ann 🙂

      Reply
  7. Milena

    October 15, 2018 at 4:01 pm

    5 stars
    Love pumpkin baked goods topped with pumpkin seeds. Because I love pumpkin seeds more than any other seeds…These muffins won’t make it longer than a morning at my house. Not even past 10 o’clock in the morning. Fresh new batch for afternoon coffee:) Pinned!

    Reply
    • Girl Heart Food

      October 15, 2018 at 8:06 pm

      Hahaha….I hear ya!! Thank you Milena 🙂

      Reply
  8. Leanne | Crumb Top Baking

    October 15, 2018 at 12:59 pm

    5 stars
    I’m loving all the pumpkin recipes this time of year! There is just something so cozy and comforting about pumpkin baked goods! I’ve been working on a pumpkin muffin recipe with dark chocolate chips too (because that combo with all the warming spices is just the best!) But I never thought to add cranberries and pumpkin seeds! Great idea Dawn. And love that these are big muffins. The best part about a muffin is the muffin top! Happy Monday!

    Reply
    • Girl Heart Food

      October 15, 2018 at 8:05 pm

      Me too! It is a really great combo, for sure! And I agree with ya about the muffin top 😉 Thanks Leanne and happy Monday to ya too!

      Reply
  9. Shashi at savory spin

    October 15, 2018 at 12:36 pm

    5 stars
    Ha – one of my current ponderings is why oh why is there a screen between me and these glorious muffins!? I simply LOVE the combo of pumpkin and chocolate and these would make my monday marvelous! Hope you had a wonderful weekend, Dawn!

    Reply
    • Girl Heart Food

      October 15, 2018 at 8:04 pm

      Hahaha – right 😉 ?? Thanks so much, Shashi! You too!

      Reply
  10. Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers

    October 15, 2018 at 12:11 pm

    5 stars
    Loving all the goodies you’ve packed in these pumpkin muffins! They just scream Fall and are no doubt seriously delicious, too 🙂

    Reply
    • Girl Heart Food

      October 15, 2018 at 8:02 pm

      Totally! Thank you Jennifer 🙂

      Reply
  11. Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop

    October 15, 2018 at 10:46 am

    5 stars
    Yum! I’m all about muffins and these pumpkin muffins are perfect for the fall! I love all the added goodies in these muffins. Perfect for breakfast or snack! 🙂

    Reply
    • Girl Heart Food

      October 15, 2018 at 8:02 pm

      Totally!! Thanks Kathy 🙂

      Reply
  12. [email protected]

    October 15, 2018 at 10:12 am

    5 stars
    Oh yum! This is my kind of pumpkin muffin! Love the iconic fall players and that little bit of crunch from the seeds! This is a winner!! Pinned! 🙂 Have a great week, my friend! XOXO

    Reply
  13. Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen

    October 15, 2018 at 10:04 am

    5 stars
    YES to pumpkin muffins! Especially with chocolate chips and dried cranberries. These look SO GOOD! My favorite thing about muffins is that they’re basically cake you can spread butter on (and eat for breakfast) so they’re a regular treat around here :). I’ll have to try these! Have a great week, Dawn!

    Reply
  14. David @ Spiced

    October 15, 2018 at 9:08 am

    I’m all in on these muffins, Dawn! First of all, you’ve got all of my favorite Fall baking flavors going on in there…and then the cranberries + pumpkin seeds on top takes it up a notch. I don’t blame ya for needing to “test” this recipe a gazillion times! I totally need to put this on the agenda for one of these lazy weekends coming up. (Well, “lazy weekends” is relative when you have a toddler in the house…but that won’t stop me from baking up a batch of these muffins!)

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Girl Heart Food profile picture.Hi & welcome to Girl Heart Food! I’m Dawn and I’m so happy you stopped by.  Around here, you’ll find lots of yummy eats from veggie based to gluten free to classic comfort food fare. You’re bound to find something that’ll make your belly happy!

Read more about Girl Heart Food here.

Photo collage of places where Girl Heart Food has been featured.

Popular Right Now

  • Tall stack of cheesy ground beef quesadillas on a blue and white platter. Cheesy Ground Beef Quesadillas
  • A fried chicken sandwich garnished with lettuce and a pickle slice. Buttermilk Fried Crispy Chicken Burger
  • A caesar cocktail garnished with a skewer of olives, salami, and green bean and a celery stick. Ultimate Caesar Cocktail {the best caesar recipe}

A bowl of apple and cheese green salad with banner overlay that says 'All Recipes'.

A casserole of mac and cheese with a banner text over top with 'favourite recipes' on it.

Footer

Photo collage of places where Girl Heart Food has been featured.

© 2015 - 2019 Girl Heart Food. All images & content are copyright protected.

Interested in Working Together? Check out our Partnerships page

or Learn More About Girl Heart Food/Contact Us

Use of This Site Constitutes Acceptance of Its Privacy Policy & Terms of Use

This site uses cookies. By using our site, you agree to our use of cookies. Click here for more information.