Spiced Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Welcome to the ultimate guide for baking the most incredibly moist and flavorful Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins you’ll ever experience! Perfect for crisp autumn mornings or a cozy afternoon treat, these easy-to-make muffins are a true delight. What makes them stand out? They are effortlessly crafted without the need for a mixer, making them accessible for even the most novice bakers. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of rich pumpkin spice and delightful pockets of mini chocolate chips, all elevated by the irresistible, nutty depth of brown butter. Get ready to fill your home with the inviting aromas of fall with this simple, yet spectacularly delicious recipe.

These aren’t just any pumpkin muffins; they are an extraordinary treat that combines seasonal warmth with a touch of decadent chocolate. Their simplicity is astonishing – a truly beginner-friendly recipe that promises bakery-quality results right in your own kitchen. Imagine fluffy, tender muffins, each bursting with the sweet, earthy notes of pumpkin puree and studded generously with tiny, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate chips. The secret to their unparalleled depth of flavor lies in the brown butter, which imparts a rich, toasted complexity that complements the pumpkin and chocolate beautifully. This recipe is designed to be straightforward, ensuring success for everyone, from experienced bakers to enthusiastic kids looking to help out in the kitchen.

Why These Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins Will Become Your New Fall Favorite

Once you try these delightful muffins, you’ll understand why they quickly become a staple in your autumn baking rotation. Here’s a closer look at what makes this recipe truly exceptional and a joy to bake:

• Effortless Baking Experience: Say goodbye to bulky stand mixers and complicated steps! This recipe is specifically designed to be a “no-mixer” affair, requiring only a whisk and a spatula. This not only makes cleanup a breeze but also encourages even beginner bakers to confidently whip up a batch of delicious homemade muffins. It’s truly a simple process that yields impressive results every time.
• Versatile Muffin Sizes: Whether you prefer grand, bakery-style jumbo muffins or perfectly portioned regular-sized treats, this recipe adapts beautifully. You have the flexibility to use your favorite muffin pan, allowing you to customize your bake to suit any occasion or craving. We’ll provide specific baking instructions for both sizes to ensure perfect doneness.
• Unbelievably Soft and Moist Texture: The combination of pumpkin puree, buttermilk, and sour cream creates an exceptionally tender crumb that practically melts in your mouth. These muffins are far from dry; instead, they boast an incredibly moist and fluffy texture that remains delightful for days, making them perfect for meal prep or sharing.
• Elevated Flavor from Brown Butter: The secret ingredient that transforms these muffins from good to extraordinary is brown butter. This simple step of gently cooking butter until it turns golden brown and nutty adds a depth of flavor that is unmatched. It introduces a sophisticated, caramelized note that perfectly complements the pumpkin and spices, making each bite truly memorable.
• Perfectly Distributed Mini Chocolate Chips: We specifically call for mini chocolate chips, and for good reason! Their smaller size ensures that you get a lovely hint of chocolate in every single bite, creating a balanced and consistent flavor profile throughout the muffin. This ideal chocolate-to-muffin ratio guarantees maximum enjoyment without overpowering the delicate pumpkin spice.

Essential Ingredient Notes for Perfect Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Understanding the role of each ingredient is key to achieving the perfect batch of these delightful muffins. Here’s a breakdown of the core components and why they are important:

• Unsalted Butter (Browned): Starting with unsalted butter allows you to control the overall saltiness of the muffins. Browning the butter is a game-changer; it cooks off some of the water content, intensifying the nutty, rich flavor. The recipe calls for a slightly higher amount than usual because some liquid is lost during the browning process, ensuring your muffins remain perfectly moist.
• Brown Sugar: We recommend using light brown sugar for its molasses content, which contributes significantly to the muffins’ moisture, tenderness, and rich flavor profile. It also adds a subtle caramel note that pairs wonderfully with pumpkin and spices. If you only have dark brown sugar, it will still work, providing a more intense molasses flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: The foundation of our muffin structure. For best results, always spoon and level your flour rather than scooping directly from the bag. This prevents over-measuring, which can lead to dense and dry muffins. Sifting the flour, as the recipe suggests, ensures a light, airy texture and prevents lumps.
• Pumpkin Spice: This warm blend of spices is the heart of any pumpkin recipe. While readily available in most grocery stores, you can also create your own blend at home using cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves for a truly customizable flavor. Feel free to adjust the amount to your personal preference for spice intensity.
• Buttermilk: This acidic ingredient is crucial for creating tender, moist muffins. The acidity in buttermilk reacts with baking soda to produce carbon dioxide, which gives the muffins their lift and soft crumb. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can easily make a substitute by adding 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to 1/2 cup of regular milk and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes until it slightly curdles.
• Sour Cream: Full-fat sour cream adds incredible moisture and richness to these muffins without making them greasy. Its tanginess also helps to balance the sweetness and contributes to the soft texture. Full-fat plain Greek yogurt can be used as a direct substitute, offering similar moisture and a slight tang.
• Pumpkin Puree: Always use 100% pure canned pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling. Pie filling contains added sugars and spices that will alter the flavor and texture of your muffins. Homemade pumpkin puree tends to have a higher water content, which can make your muffins too wet, so sticking with canned puree is recommended for consistent results.
• Mini Chocolate Chips: While regular semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips can be used, mini chocolate chips are preferred for this recipe. Their smaller size ensures a more even distribution throughout the batter, guaranteeing a delightful chocolate burst in every bite without overwhelming the pumpkin flavor. This results in a perfect balance and a superior eating experience.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Irresistible Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Crafting these delectable pumpkin chocolate chip muffins is a straightforward process, requiring no special equipment beyond a whisk and a spatula. Follow these detailed steps to achieve perfect, moist, and flavorful muffins every time:

1. Step 1: Master the Brown Butter. Begin by melting the unsalted butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Keep whisking continuously as the butter melts, foams, and the milk solids begin to separate and turn a beautiful golden brown. You’ll notice a delightful nutty aroma filling your kitchen. Once the butter solids are a rich amber color, immediately remove the pan from the heat to prevent burning. Carefully pour the browned butter, including all the delightful speckles, into a heat-proof glass measuring cup. Allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes, or until it’s just warm to the touch. This cooling step is crucial to prevent the butter from cooking the eggs when mixed.
2. Step 2: Prepare the Dry Ingredients. While the brown butter cools, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a standard 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners and set it aside. In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour. This step is important for preventing lumps and ensuring a light, airy texture. Once sifted, add the packed brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice. Whisk these dry ingredients thoroughly until they are well combined and evenly distributed.
3. Step 3: Combine the Wet Ingredients. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the cooled brown butter, room-temperature buttermilk, large egg, pumpkin puree, pure vanilla extract, and full-fat sour cream. Ensure all these wet ingredients are at room temperature for optimal mixing and a smooth batter. Whisk until the mixture is uniform and creamy.
4. Step 4: Gently Mix Batter and Fold in Chocolate Chips. Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the large bowl containing the dry ingredients. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the ingredients together until just combined. The batter will be thick. Be careful not to overmix, as overworking the gluten in the flour can lead to tough muffins. A few streaks of flour are perfectly acceptable. Finally, add the mini chocolate chips and gently fold them into the batter until evenly distributed.

5. Step 5: Scoop and Top the Batter. Using a 1-ounce cookie scoop or a spoon, divide the muffin batter evenly among the prepared muffin liners, filling each approximately three-quarters full. For an extra touch of bakery-style appeal, sprinkle a few additional mini chocolate chips on top of each filled muffin cup before baking.
6. Step 6: The Two-Stage Bake. Place the muffin pan into the preheated 425°F (220°C) oven and bake for an initial 10 minutes. This high initial temperature creates a rapid burst of steam, helping the muffins rise quickly and form that desirable domed top. After 10 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) without opening the oven door. Continue baking for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean or with moist crumbs attached (no wet batter).
7. Step 7: Cool and Enjoy. Once baked, remove the muffin pan from the oven and let the muffins cool in the pan for about 5-10 minutes. This allows them to set properly and prevents them from sticking. Then, carefully transfer the muffins to a wire cooling rack to cool completely. These muffins are absolutely best enjoyed slightly warm, perhaps with a cup of coffee or tea.

Expert Baking Tips for Flawless Muffins

Achieving bakery-quality muffins at home is easier than you think with a few simple tricks up your sleeve. Here are some expert tips to ensure your chocolate pumpkin muffins turn out perfectly every time:

• Accelerate Brown Butter Cooling: If you’re short on time after browning your butter, you can significantly speed up the cooling process. Simply place the glass measuring cup with the brown butter into the freezer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Just make sure it doesn’t solidify completely – you want it just warm to the touch.
• Avoid Overmixing at All Costs: This is perhaps the most crucial rule for tender muffins. Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix them gently with a rubber spatula only until just combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, leading to tough, chewy muffins instead of light and fluffy ones. A few small streaks of flour are preferable to an overmixed batter.
• Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: For the best emulsion and a smooth, uniform batter, ensure your egg, buttermilk, and sour cream are at room temperature. Take them out of the refrigerator about 1-2 hours before you plan to start baking. Room temperature ingredients blend more easily and create a more consistent batter, contributing to a better texture in your final muffins.
• Measure Flour Accurately: Compacting flour by scooping it directly from the bag can add too much to your recipe, leading to dry and dense muffins. Always spoon your flour into the measuring cup and then level it off with the back of a knife. Better yet, use a kitchen scale for the most accurate measurement.
• Don’t Overfill Muffin Liners: To achieve those beautiful, domed muffin tops, aim to fill your muffin liners about three-quarters full. Overfilling can cause the batter to spill over and create oddly shaped muffins, or even bake unevenly.
• Test for Doneness: While baking times are a good guide, oven temperatures can vary. To check if your muffins are done, insert a wooden skewer or toothpick into the center of a muffin. It should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached, but no wet batter.

Ingredient Substitutions for Customizing Your Muffins

Flexibility in baking means you can often adapt recipes to what you have on hand or to suit dietary preferences. Here are some thoughtful substitutions for key ingredients in this pumpkin chocolate chip muffin recipe:

• Buttermilk Alternative: If you don’t have store-bought buttermilk, you can easily create a homemade version. Simply combine 1/2 cup of whole cow’s milk with 1/2 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it visibly curdles. This DIY buttermilk will provide the necessary acidity for tender muffins.
• Sour Cream Substitute: For a similar richness and moisture, full-fat plain Greek yogurt can be used as a direct 1:1 substitute for sour cream. Ensure it’s full-fat for the best texture and flavor. The slight tang of Greek yogurt will also complement the pumpkin and spices wonderfully.
• Pumpkin Puree Variations: While pumpkin puree is essential for this recipe’s intended flavor, if you want to experiment or are out of pumpkin, you can try using 2 mashed ripe bananas or an equal amount of unsweetened applesauce. Be aware that these substitutions will alter the flavor profile significantly, but they can still yield delicious and moist muffins.
• Butter Substitute: If you prefer not to brown the butter or don’t have unsalted butter, you can use 1/2 cup of regular melted unsalted butter. While you’ll miss the nutty flavor of brown butter, the muffins will still be moist and delicious.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Here are answers to some common questions you might have while baking these delicious pumpkin chocolate chip muffins:

Storing and Freezing Your Delicious Muffins

To keep your chocolate pumpkin muffins fresh and enjoyable for as long as possible, proper storage is key. Here’s how to store and freeze them:

Storing

Once completely cooled, store your chocolate pumpkin muffins in an airtight container at room temperature. They will retain their incredible moisture and flavor for up to 5 days. For optimal freshness, you can place a piece of paper towel at the bottom of the container to absorb any excess moisture and prevent sogginess.

Freezing

These muffins freeze beautifully, making them perfect for meal prepping or having a quick treat on hand. To freeze, wrap individual muffins tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 30 days without significant loss of quality. To enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature for about an hour, or warm them briefly in the microwave for a fresh-from-the-oven experience. They are truly best when slightly warm.

Other Delightful Pumpkin Recipes To Try

If you’ve fallen in love with these pumpkin muffins, be sure to explore more of our seasonal delights. You might enjoy our Double Chocolate Muffins, fluffy Jumbo Blueberry Muffins, or for another pumpkin twist, our Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake Muffins. And don’t miss our Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins, decadent Pumpkin Caramel Cheesecake Bars, and charming Pumpkin Cupcakes for more autumnal baking inspiration.

We love seeing your creations! Make sure to tag us on Instagram @stephaniesweettreats and follow us on Pinterest for more sweet ideas and baking inspiration.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars from 6 reviews

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

By Stephanie Rutherford

These pumpkin chocolate chip muffins are fluffy, bakery-style muffins that are incredibly easy to make with the added richness of brown butter. Enjoy them in regular or jumbo sizes.

Print Recipe |
Pin Recipe |
Leave a Review

Prep Time: 30 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Chilling Time: 30 mins

Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins

Servings: 24 muffins

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup Plus 1 TBSP Unsalted butter, browned
• 2 cups All-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup Brown sugar, packed light or dark
• 2 TBSP Baking powder
• 1 tsp Baking soda
• 2 tsp Ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp Pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 cup Buttermilk, room temperature
• 1 Large egg, room temperature
• 1 cup Pumpkin puree, Do not use pumpkin pie filling. Use puree from a can.
• 1 tsp Pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup Sour cream, room temperature
• 1 cup Mini chocolate chips

Instructions

1. In a large frying pan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk until it starts to foam and it is hard to see the bottom of the pan. The milk deposits will separate and turn brown. Remove from heat.
2. Pour butter into a glass measuring cup and let it cool for 30 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a muffin pan with 12 muffin liners. Set aside.
4. In a mixing bowl, sift the flour. Add in the brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, and pumpkin pie spice.
5. In a separate bowl, mix the brown butter, buttermilk, egg, pumpkin puree, vanilla, and sour cream. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
6. Scoop the muffin batter and fill the liners 3/4 full.
7. Bake for 10 minutes. Then, turn the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for another 8-10 minutes. They are done baking when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
8. Let the muffins sit for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack. Let the muffins cool slightly before enjoying.

Notes

Flour: Make sure flour is spooned and leveled or use a kitchen scale. Compacted flour can dry out the muffins.

High Altitude Baking: Add an extra 2 TBSP of flour.

Nutrition Information (per muffin)

• Calories: 115kcal
• Carbohydrates: 21g
• Protein: 2g
• Fat: 3g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 1g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 3mg
• Sodium: 215mg
• Potassium: 53mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 12g
• Vitamin A: 1629IU
• Vitamin C: 1mg
• Calcium: 88mg
• Iron: 1mg

Did you try this recipe? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Please leave a star rating and review below to share your experience!