If you’re searching for a cozy, flavorful treat that perfectly blends the warmth of fall with a hint of indulgence, this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe is your new best friend. These muffins offer the perfect balance of moist pumpkin goodness and melty chocolate chips — a combination that feels like a warm hug in every bite.
Why You Should Make This Recipe
Incredibly moist texture: Thanks to pumpkin puree and olive oil, these muffins turn out wonderfully soft and tender every time.
Perfect spice blend: A mix of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom brings that classic autumn warmth.
Easy and quick to prepare: Minimal ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe a winner for busy days or last-minute cravings.
Chocolate chip magic: Semisweet chocolate chips add just the right touch of sweetness and melty goodness without overpowering the pumpkin flavor.
Ingredients & Substitutions
All you need are simple pantry staples and one can of pumpkin puree to create these irresistible Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins. Each ingredient plays a special part — from the fluffy structure created by flour and leaveners to the aromatic spices and chocolate that take every bite to the next level.
- Pumpkin puree: Use pure pumpkin, NOT pumpkin pie filling, to keep flavors fresh and control sweetness.
- Sugars (white and brown): Brown sugar adds extra moisture and a gentle caramel note; feel free to swap dark brown sugar if you love deeper flavor.
- Olive oil: Keeps muffins tender and moist; vegetable oil works great too if you prefer a neutral taste.
- Spices: The blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom brings layered warmth — don’t skip them!
- Chocolate chips: Semisweet is ideal, but milk or dark chocolate chips can lend a different but delightful flavor twist.
How to Make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating the oven to 425°F, and line your muffin tin with paper liners. To prevent any sticky overflow, spray the top flat part of the muffin tin with nonstick spray. Getting this step right ensures your muffins’ll come out perfectly shaped and easy to clean up.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, white sugar, and brown sugar until smooth. Then add in two eggs, olive oil, and vanilla extract. Whisk until everything is beautifully combined and glossy — your batter is starting to come alive!
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, spoon and level the all-purpose flour, then add baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, and your dreamy blend of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and cardamom. Give it a gentle stir so all the spices mingle evenly with the powders.
Step 4: Bring It All Together
Switch to a rubber spatula and fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture with gentle care — don’t overmix! Just combine enough to eliminate lumps but keep the batter soft and tender. Now, fold in one cup of semisweet chocolate chips, so every bite gets that decadent surprise.
Step 5: Fill Muffin Cups & Bake
Using a cookie scoop or spoon, divide the batter evenly into the 12 lined muffin cups. For bakery-style height, it helps to add the batter in two scoops, placing the second scoop on top of the first. Gently press any visible chocolate chips under the batter so they don’t scorch in the oven.
Bake at 425°F for 7 minutes, then WITHOUT opening the oven, reduce the temperature to 350°F and bake for another 9-13 minutes. Your kitchen is about to smell incredible! The muffins are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, and the tops spring back to a gentle touch.
How to Serve Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe
Garnishes
Once the muffins are cool enough to handle, press a few extra chocolate chips on top of each for a glossy, tempting finish. If you want to add a little more flair, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of honey complements the spices beautifully.
Side Dishes
These muffins pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or spiced chai tea for a cozy breakfast or snack. For a heartier brunch, serve alongside scrambled eggs or a fresh fruit salad to balance sweet and savory flavors.
Creative Ways to Present
Try stacking a few muffins on a rustic wooden board with seasonal decorations like small gourds and autumn leaves for a charming display. You can also serve them warm with a pat of cinnamon butter or alongside a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
You can store leftover muffins in an airtight container or ziplock bag at room temperature for 2 to 3 days. After that, pop them in the fridge, where they’ll stay fresh for up to a week. Remember to keep them sealed well to avoid drying out!
Freezing
These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins freeze like a dream. Make sure they’re completely cooled before placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container to prevent sogginess. They’ll stay fresh for 2-3 months, perfect for preparing ahead and satisfying sudden muffin cravings.
Reheating
To enjoy a muffin fresh from the freezer, simply let it thaw on the counter overnight or zap it in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Warm muffins bring out that gooey-chocolate goodness and fresh-baked pumpkin aroma, making your snack feel extra special.
FAQs
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Can I use fresh pumpkin instead of canned pumpkin puree?
Yes! If using fresh pumpkin, roast and puree it until smooth. Make sure to drain excess moisture to prevent the batter from becoming too wet, which can affect the muffin’s texture.
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What makes these muffins so moist?
The combination of pumpkin puree and olive oil keeps these muffins exceptionally moist without being greasy, creating a tender crumb you’ll fall in love with.
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Can I substitute chocolate chips with nuts or dried fruit?
Absolutely! Walnuts, pecans, or dried cranberries make excellent alternatives or additions, adding texture and a different flavor dimension to these muffins.
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How can I prevent my muffins from sinking in the middle?
Make sure not to overmix the batter and follow the oven temperature steps carefully — starting with a high heat then lowering it helps the muffins rise properly without collapsing.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe — it brings warmth, sweetness, and comforting spice together in one effortlessly delicious bite. Whether for breakfast, an afternoon pick-me-up, or a cozy evening snack, these muffins are sure to become a fall favorite in your kitchen. Go ahead, bake a batch and savor that irresistible autumn vibe!
Print
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 16 minutes
- Total Time: 26 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these moist and flavorful Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins that perfectly blend spiced pumpkin with rich semi-sweet chocolate chips. These bakery-style muffins are ideal for a cozy breakfast or snack, combining autumnal spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves with a tender crumb. Easy to prepare and bake, they make a perfect treat to enjoy warm with a glass of milk or to store for on-the-go indulgence.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree, NOT pumpkin pie filling
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed (dark brown is fine too)
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup light olive oil or any vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (or 1/2 teaspoon table salt)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
Chocolate Chips
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (folded into batter)
- 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips (for pressing onto muffin tops)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners and lightly spray the top (flat part) of the muffin tin with nonstick spray to prevent overflow from sticking.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the entire 15-ounce can of pumpkin puree, 1/2 cup white sugar, and 1/2 cup brown sugar until fully combined. Add 2 large eggs, 1/2 cup olive oil, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and whisk again until smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Spoon and level 1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour over the wet ingredients but do not stir yet. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1 teaspoon baking soda evenly over the flour, then add 1 and 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon cloves, and 1/4 teaspoon cardamom. Stir the dry ingredients together gently in the bowl with a small spoon to combine the spices and leaveners.
- Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until fully combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the muffins tender — mix until there are no visible lumps but stop as soon as the batter is uniform.
- Fold in Chocolate Chips: Fold 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips evenly into the batter with the spatula.
- Fill Muffin Liners: Using a cookie scoop or spoon, divide the batter evenly among the 12 prepared muffin liners. For taller muffins, add batter in two scoops, placing the second scoop on top of the first. Gently press any visible chocolate chips below the surface of the batter to prevent scorching.
- Bake at High Temperature: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake at 425°F for 7 minutes without opening the oven door.
- Lower Temperature and Continue Baking: Without opening the oven, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for an additional 9 to 13 minutes. The muffins are done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the tops spring back when gently tapped.
- Cool and Add Toppings: Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool for about 2 minutes in the pan. Carefully transfer the muffins to a wire rack and press the remaining 1/4 cup chocolate chips onto the tops of each muffin.
- Final Cooling: Allow the muffins to cool completely for the fluffiest texture. They can also be enjoyed warm, offering a fudgy, brownie-like experience.
Notes
- Storing Muffins: Store muffins in an airtight container or ziplock bag at room temperature for 2-3 days. Refrigerate for up to one week for longer freshness.
- Freezing: Muffins freeze well for 2-3 months. Ensure they are fully cooled before sealing in an airtight container or freezer bag to avoid condensation. Thaw overnight at room temperature or warm in the microwave for about 30 seconds.
- Prevent Overmixing: To avoid tough muffins, mix the batter just until ingredients are combined.
- Spices: Use freshly grated nutmeg if possible for the best flavor.