Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffies

Let's get real. There are two great things in this world and they are as follows:

1. Anything and everything pumpkin flavored
2. The top part of the muffin that everyone breaks off and eats first (or as Panera likes to call it, the "muffie")

What do you get when you combine these two treasures? My amazing pumpkin chocolate chip muffies!!! I finally finished perfecting the recipe today and it is ready to share with the world.

These are sure to be a treat for your family over the Thanksgiving holiday coming up so give them a try! I swear people won't even know they're healthy ;)

Recipe: 

1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)
3/4 cup raw cane sugar
1/4 cup agave nectar
1/2 cup coconut oil
1 egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 cups whole-wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
dark chocolate chips (how ever many you want)

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. In a bowl, mix together the pumpkin, sugar, coconut oil, and egg
3. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt
4. Add flour mixture to pumpkin mixture and mix well
5. Add in as many chocolate chips as your heart desires
*the batter may seem a bit liquid-y but that is ok!! It shouldn't be as thick as cookie dough
6. Using a spoon, dollop batter onto a greased baking sheet (size is up to you)
7. Bake in the oven for approximately 10-12 minutes
8. Remove and let cool (if you can resist) for 10 minutes before enjoying
9. Share with friends and family!! Tis the season...right?

so moist and delicious

Fun fact, they can also be baked to be regular muffins. Just put the batter in a greased muffin tin instead of on a cookie sheet and bake for 15-17 minutes 

True confessions, I've already had 5 of these tonight...

Another fun fact...

If you want to make them vegan, simply leave out the chocolate chips (or use a vegan brand) and substitute the egg for one of the following:

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce 

or

1 tbsp ground Flax seeds +3 tbsp Water

or 

1/4 cup pureed banana

I haven't experimented with the above options but if anyone tries them out, let me know! 

If you are gluten free, then all you need to do is exchange the whole wheat flour for a gluten free flour! Again, I have yet to try this out and I'm sure some things might need to be changed around to adjust for the texture, but give it a try and let me know :)

Enjoy guys!! 

Question: What is your favorite holiday dessert recipe? Are you a cookie, cake, or pie person?