Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

death_by_parsnip's Note:

These muffins are my favorite! They are also relatively healthy, made with whole wheat flour. They can be made vegan by replacing the chocolate chips with carob chips. I adapted this recipe from the Vegan Lunch Box web site

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 12

Yield: 12.0 muffins

• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 2 tablespoons ground flax seeds
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 2/3 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips or 1/3 cup carob chips
• 1/2 cup walnuts or 1/2 cup pecans, chopped

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350º. Spray a nonstick muffin tin sprayed well with nonstick spray, or line the tin with paper muffin cups and spray the cups with nonstick spray. Set aside.
2. Put the pumpkin, water, canola oil, ground flax seed, and vanilla in a blender and process on high for at least one minute, until light in color and well-blended. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the whole wheat pastry flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, kosher salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add the pumpkin mixture and mix well with a wooden spoon or large spatula until well-blended. If the mixture seems a little dry, add extra water. Fold in the chocolate chips or carob chips and nuts.
4. Spoon the batter into the muffin tin, distributing evenly to make 12 muffins. Sprinkle the top of each muffin with sugar, if desired.
5. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a cake tested inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Let cool for 5 minutes in the pan, then use a spatula to gently lift each muffin from the muffin tin. Finish cooling on a wire rack.

Reviews

[878238]

These are so awesome. My GF was actually disappointed that they were healthy because she wanted to feel bad about eating them. I did have to add a little bit more water to get the mix right but other than that I followed the recipe exactley as written. I think next time I might add more spice to the mix, like some all spice or ginger to really bring out the pumpkin taste.

[Chef #735970]

You can make it a bit healthier by substituting apple sauce for sugar. Still is sweet and moist, but less calories and healthier.

[Mindelicious]

Very nice recipe!! These turned out very moist and super yummy!! Kids that I baby sit for loved them as well!! Thanks for a great muffin!!