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!
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!
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.
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.
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
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins (with cranberries)
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.
Nutrition (estimate only)
