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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe

I absolutely love this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe because it combines the warm, cozy flavors of pumpkin spice with the irresistible sweetness of chocolate chips. It’s the perfect treat when you need a quick, comforting snack or want to bring a little autumn magic into your kitchen any time of year. The texture is wonderfully moist, and the chocolate chips add just the right amount of melty goodness in every bite.

When I first tried this recipe, I was amazed at how easy it was to pull together with just a few simple ingredients — no need to fuss with complex measurements or long prep times. You’ll find that these muffins bake up beautifully, making it an ideal recipe whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out. Plus, they hold up well for several days, making them a fantastic option for school lunches or a grab-and-go breakfast.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Super Easy: Just three main ingredients mix up in minutes with minimal effort.
  • Perfectly Moist: Pumpkin puree gives these muffins a tender texture you can’t resist.
  • Chocolatey Delight: Loaded with chocolate chips — because who doesn’t love melty chocolate?
  • Versatile Snack: Ideal for breakfast, snack time, or a cozy dessert anytime.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe is in its simplicity. The ingredients come together seamlessly to create a deeply flavorful muffin, with the pumpkin spice cake mix providing the perfect seasonal base and the pumpkin puree adding moisture and earthiness.

  • Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix: Choose your favorite brand — it already has the pumpkin spices blended, so you skip extra seasoning.
  • Pure Pumpkin Puree: Make sure it’s 100% pumpkin, not pumpkin pie filling, for the best texture.
  • Milk or Water: I prefer milk for richer flavor, but water works fine if that’s what you have on hand.
  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Use good-quality chocolate chips for melty, indulgent bites throughout the muffins.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the best things about this Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe is how easy it is to customize. I often toss in a handful of chopped nuts or swap out the chocolate chips for white chocolate chunks depending on my mood — feel free to make it yours!

  • Nutty Twist: Adding walnuts or pecans gives a lovely crunch and adds some healthy fat to balance sweetness.
  • Spiced Up: Sprinkle in a little extra cinnamon or nutmeg if you want to amp up the pumpkin spice flavor.
  • Dairy-Free Version: Use water or a plant-based milk instead of dairy milk to keep it vegan-friendly.
  • Mini Muffins: Bake in mini muffin tins for bite-sized treats perfect for parties or lunchboxes.

How to Make Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prep Your Muffin Tin

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two regular-sized muffin pans with liners or spray them generously with nonstick baking spray to ensure your muffins release easily after baking. Getting this step right helps your muffins keep their perfect shape.

Step 2: Mix Pumpkin Spice Cake Mix, Pumpkin, and Milk

In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin spice cake mix, pure pumpkin puree, and milk or water. I like using a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula to mix until everything is blended smoothly without overmixing. The batter will be thick but that’s exactly what you want for tender muffins.

Step 3: Fold in Chocolate Chips

Stir in 1 cup of your semi-sweet chocolate chips gently so they’re evenly distributed throughout the batter. Save the remaining chips to sprinkle on top — this little trick makes the muffins look extra inviting and adds a hit of chocolate on every bite.

Step 4: Scoop Batter and Bake

Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full. Top each muffin with a few chocolate chips for that melty, chocolatey finish. Bake in the preheated oven for 14 to 18 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Step 5: Cool Before Enjoying

Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes so they firm up nicely, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. This helps them set and gives you the perfect texture — trust me, you don’t want to rush this part!

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Pro Tips for Making Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe

  • Don’t Overmix: Mixing until just combined keeps muffins tender and prevents toughness.
  • Use Room Temperature Ingredients: I found batter blends better when pumpkin and milk aren’t cold from the fridge.
  • Line or Grease Pans Well: This simple step helps muffins pop out cleanly without breaking.
  • Check Early for Doneness: Ovens vary; start checking around 14 minutes to avoid overbaking and drying out.

How to Serve Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe

A close-up view of two chocolate chip muffins, one whole in the background and one broken in half in the front to show the inside texture. The muffins have a warm golden-brown color with dark chocolate chips scattered both inside and on top. The broken muffin is resting in a white paper liner that is slightly crinkled, placed on a white marbled surface. The chocolate chips stand out with their dark, glossy texture against the soft, crumbly muffin. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple and just add a light dusting of powdered sugar or a little drizzle of honey or maple syrup on top for extra sweetness and shine. Sometimes I toast them lightly to bring out the chocolate flavor even more. If I’m feeling fancy, a smear of softened butter or cream cheese is heavenly.

Side Dishes

These muffins pair wonderfully with a warm cup of coffee, spiced chai, or even a glass of cold milk. For a fuller breakfast, I often serve them alongside fresh fruit or a simple yogurt parfait. They’re also great with a side of scrambled eggs if you want a more substantial meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday brunches, I’ve arranged these muffins on a rustic wooden platter with small bowls of nut butters, whipped cream, and cinnamon sugar so guests can customize their own. Mini flags or cute toothpick toppers with autumn leaf designs add a festive touch if you’re gifting or bringing them to a party.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I generally store leftover Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps them soft and delicious, though they do tend to get even better after a quick warm-up.

Freezing

I’ve had great success freezing these muffins — just wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag. They freeze well for up to three months and thaw quickly when you want a quick treat.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop a muffin in the microwave for about 20 seconds or warm it in a low oven wrapped in foil. This brings back that soft, fresh-baked feel with melted chocolate chips that taste just as good as the first day.

FAQs

  1. Can I use regular yellow cake mix instead of pumpkin spice cake mix?

    Yes, you can! If you don’t have pumpkin spice cake mix, plain yellow cake mix works fine; just add about 1 to 1 ½ teaspoons of pumpkin pie spice or a mix of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to the batter to mimic that warm flavor.

  2. Can I substitute fresh pumpkin for canned pumpkin puree?

    Canned pumpkin puree is best for this recipe because it’s smooth and has the right moisture content. If you want to use fresh pumpkin, roast it until tender, then puree until smooth and measure out the same amount, but keep in mind fresh pumpkin might be slightly more watery and could affect texture.

  3. How can I make these muffins gluten-free?

    Try using a gluten-free pumpkin spice cake mix or substitute with a gluten-free flour blend that’s designed for baking. Just make sure the rest of your ingredients like chocolate chips are gluten-free as well for best results.

  4. Can I add other mix-ins like nuts or dried fruit?

    Absolutely! Walnuts, pecans, or even dried cranberries are delicious additions. I like to add about ½ to ¾ cup of mix-ins along with the chocolate chips to keep the balance of flavors and textures.

Final Thoughts

This Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe has become one of my go-to comforts during the cooler months — it’s simple enough to whip up any day of the week but special enough to share with friends and family. The melty chocolate chips paired with the cozy pumpkin spice flavor make every bite feel like a little celebration. I really hope you enjoy making these muffins as much as I do — trust me, once you try this recipe, it’ll quickly become a favorite in your kitchen too!

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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.5 from 104 reviews
  • Author: Megane
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 18 minutes
  • Total Time: 23 minutes
  • Yield: 18 muffins
  • Category: Baking
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Delight in these moist and flavorful Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, which combine the warm spices of pumpkin spice cake mix with the rich sweetness of semi-sweet chocolate chips. Perfect for fall breakfasts, snacks, or desserts, these muffins are easy to prepare and bake in under 25 minutes.


Ingredients

Dry & Wet Ingredients

  • 1 (15.25 ounce) box pumpkin spice cake mix
  • 1 (15 ounce) can pure pumpkin puree
  • 3/4 cup milk or water

Chocolate Chips

  • 1 ½ cup semi sweet chocolate chips (divided: 1 cup for batter and ½ cup for topping)


Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Line two regular-size muffin pans, which hold 18-24 muffins total, with cupcake liners or generously spray them with baking spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin spice cake mix, pure pumpkin puree, and the 3/4 cup of milk or water. Stir the ingredients until well blended into a smooth batter.
  3. Add Chocolate Chips: Fold 1 cup of the semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter, distributing them evenly throughout.
  4. Fill Muffin Pans: Using a small cookie scoop or spoon, evenly divide the batter into the prepared muffin liners. Then, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chips on top of each unmixed muffin batter portion to create a chocolatey topping.
  5. Bake Muffins: Place the muffin pans in the preheated oven and bake for 14 to 18 minutes, or until the muffins are set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  6. Cool Down: Remove the muffin pans from the oven and allow the muffins to cool in the pans for about 10 minutes. Afterwards, transfer the muffins onto a wire rack to cool completely before serving to enjoy optimal texture and flavor.

Notes

  • You can substitute water with milk or a dairy-free alternative to add moisture and richness to the muffins.
  • For added texture, try mixing in chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans along with the chocolate chips.
  • Ensure not to overbake the muffins to keep them moist and tender.
  • Muffins taste best the same day but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 muffin
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 18g
  • Sodium: 210mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Saturated Fat: 3g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 32g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg

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