Best Ever Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins!

Are you enjoying the signs of Fall? This time of year is so exciting for me. I'm loving the cooler weather and all the changes that come with it! I hope you are enjoying it, as well. Okay, on with Recipe! You know, there all kinds of fancy desserts on the internet, and heaven knows I am tempted to go for the WOW factor, as well. The truth of the matter is that the best recipe I have to share with you in this month, or for the Fall weather for you and your Family to enjoy, for that matter, (as does mine) is a muffin.

It's my own recipe, I have tweaked here and there over the years, but it really is quite simple. No appliances necessary, just a wooden spoon and a good, hot oven. 

I am always trying to find different ways to eliminate the use of oils and fats in recipes, yet still get that rich tasty flavor. This one really does deliver that. This is a really yummy, fairly light Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffin!

My "go to" on almost all my muffins is:

1 cup Oats

1 cup Buttermilk

1 cup flour 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce

This is a great base for most any good muffin.
1/2 the flour and low-fat buttermilk. I do tend to embellish it quite a bit. I LOVE Pumpkin everything, almost. I am especially partial to Trader Joe's Organic canned pumpkin puree.

Let's just get right down to this recipe! You may think it sounds a little wonky, but I guarantee you-you will love it and so will your friends and family!

First of all, bake in a hot oven... Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 204 Celsius.
 As I stated above: Soak 1 cup of Oats, Quick or Regular, in 1 cup of buttermilk with 1/2 cup of Applesauce. For this Recipe add 1 cup of Pure pumpkin puree, combine well and set aside.

In a separate bowl whisk together, not too much, though. just combine.

2 large eggs

1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract

1/3 cup of canola, coconut or veggie-oil)

1/2 cup/each white and brown sugar

Add to your Oat mixture, combine and set aside.

Over a nice size piece of wax paper, in your sifter (if you don't have a sifter you can combine the dry ingredients in a bowl and then I do recommend that you whisk them until combined and aerated. 

1-1/2 heaping cups of All Purpose Flour

1-1/2 teaspoons of Baking Powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

pumpkin spices to taste.

I really like Trader Joe's Pumpkin Spice mix (and no, I don't get compensated by Trader Joe's) LOL

I use 1 large Tablespoon of their pumpkin spice mix. (so, if you are a leveler, 1-1/2)

If you don't have any pre-made spice mix, here's a great combination of spices to get you the same flavor combine Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Cloves, and Ginger. Personally, I use more cinnamon and nutmeg then cloves and ginger, because I buy them fresh and in bulk, so the flavors are strong. But, I believe you could do equal portions of each and get a great flavor, just the same.

Combine dry ingredients with wet.

I'm showing you this picture for one reason. I firmly believe that Most every muffin and/or biscuit or scone is 10 times better when you combine the wet and dry ingredients By Hand. And, I don't mean a rapid stir, just a gentle kind of folding things together, just until combined. 

Now you are ready to fold in your Chocolate Chips. I use 1-1/2 cups, usually, but if there's a lot of kids around, I add a whole 12 oz bag! You get the idea?! It's very flexible. I've added chopped walnuts before and it was wonderful. For my parents, I pour enough batter to make 6 muffins aside before adding the chocolate chips, because they prefer Pumpkin, Raisin Walnut Muffins. anything goes! Fill your prepared muffin tins 2/3 of the way and bake for 8-10 minutes. That's it! 

I hope you enjoy my humble offering and give it a try! They are great to have in the house and wonderful and easy to make & share with Friends and Family! They also just scream Autumn's here!! 

I hope you that you are enjoying a Blessed week! Thanks so much for popping by! More to come soon! 

Many Blessings,

~Theresa

autumn treats, goodies, peanut butter, muffins, pumpkin, chocolate chips, healthy, reduced fat treats, homemade recipes #TFT, #pumpkinchocolatechipmuffins, fall-baking, autumn baking, homemade