Delicious Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

It is almost that time of year again. That time of year filled with apple and pumpkin picking, cool mornings, and the smell of baking filling the house. That's right. It is almost fall. If you are anything like me, you are always looking for new ways to cook those fall foods, especially pumpkin. Pumpkin is so rich in antioxidants and full of immune system boosting power, not to mention a good source of fiber. It's no wonder you want to serve it to your family. But finding new and delicious ways to prepare it can be a challenge. To help in your search, I am giving you my favorite recipe for pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. It is the perfect blend of pumpkin and chocolate that your family will be begging you to make more.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Ingredients

1 ²/₃ cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon cloves
½ cup brown sugar, packed
½ semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 egg
¼ vegetable oil
½ cup pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling
½ cup milk

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Grease muffin pan or use liners.

2. Shift flour, baking soda, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and brown sugar together in a mixing bowl. Shifting will make your muffins lighter but if you do not have a shifter or a mesh colander, it is fine to just lightly mix the ingredients together. If you do have a mesh colander, set it over your bowl and add your dry ingredients into the colander. When all the ingredients have been added, gently shake your colander to shift the ingredients through to the bowl.

3. Mix the egg, vegetable oil, pumpkin, and milk together in a separate bowl. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ones one-third at a time. When fully mixed, gently fold in chocolate chips.

4. Pour into the muffin cups until about ¾ full.

5. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Makes about 12 muffins.

Health Benefits of Pumpkin: http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/benefits-of-pumpkin-1659.html