Friday, November 7, 2014

The Best Fall Treat That Can't Be Beat: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins


I've been baking for years (if we really want to be specific, I've been baking almost all my life. Some of my best memories are standing on a kitchen chair that I pushed up to the counter so I could help my mom bake). In all these years, I've made a little bit of everything - with some succeeding and some failing. I tend to make things once without really considering making them again - which is why having a cookbook for me is POINTLESS. I never really think to open them!

Anyway, throughout my travels in the kitchen, I have definitely had my MEH moments but then there were the THIS IS AWESOME moments as well. I've collected a few foolproof goodies in my day that either rocked to make or rocked upon eating (I tend to use Cody's co-workers as my own personal taste testers - software engineers will eat anything but they also will tell you the truth about what it is they are eating) and will make them routinely since they just work. There are also items I turn to every year or every time I am invited somewhere and feel the need to bring treats.


So, what is one example of this? My pumpkin chocolate chip muffins! They are ridiculously easy to make, surprisingly simple, and pretty much scream fall when you shove them in your mouth. Sorry, not sorry, because that is what you'll want to do when they come out of the oven.


I had planned to make these this fall anyway - how can I NOT? It's pumpkin time! - but when Jamie sent out her invites for her annual Halloween party (check out our groovy costumes here), I immediately knew what I was going to bring. Mainly because she loves them (Jamie and I have been friends as well as worked together for two companies in the past 3 years or so and the only thing she has ever given into and loved are my pumpkin chocolate chip muffins) but also because of how effortlessly they come together.


The day of the party, I had myself BOOKED. I had a photo shoot in the morning in Providence and Jamie's party at night. Somewhere in there, I had to make something to bring to the party as well as get showered and ready for the party. Oops.

I knew these muffins were the solution. So before I left for RI, I whipped these up and by the time I was home from my shoot, they were sitting there waiting for me, all cooled down and beautiful, ready to be packed up and brought to Jamie's. Success! Go me!


Now that I think of it, I don't even know if Jamie got to even have ONE muffin at the party. Oh well. It's the thought that counts, right?

Happy Pumpkin Season!


Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

4 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 (16 ounce) can of pureed pumpkin
1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
As many chocolate chips as your heart desires

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
  2. In a large bowl (or mixer), beat eggs, sugar, pumpkin puree, and oil until smooth. 
  3. Add dry ingredients and mix well.
  4. Fold in those chocolatey nuggets of joy!
  5. Fill muffin liner 3/4 full.
  6. Bake for 16-20 minutes.

Makes about 30 beauteous muffins (which pisses me off - not two dozen but not three dozen? Really?)