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Close-up of pumpkin chocolate chip muffins on a wooden board, showcasing the texture and chocolate chips.

Amazing Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

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Written by Alex Hayes

July 15, 2025

Oh, hello there! Is there anything better than that first crisp autumn breeze and the irresistible craving for warm, fluffy pumpkin chocolate chip muffins? I’m Alex, and like many of you, I used to think bakery-quality treats were reserved for, well, bakeries! My kitchen used to be a place of stress, a far cry from the joy I find now in simple, delicious cooking. But believe me, discovering how to make truly sensational baked goods, like these muffins, totally changed that. My journey from burnout to finding pure joy in baking started with a simple goal: make *good* food. And these pumpkin chocolate chip muffins? They are absolutely it! They’ve got that gorgeous, tall dome you see in the fanciest bakeries, and they are ridiculously moist inside. Plus, they’re made with everyday ingredients and come together so easily, proving that incredible, soul-satisfying food really doesn’t have to be complicated. This recipe is all about bringing a little bit of that simple, shareable joy right into your home kitchen.

Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Seriously, why are these pumpkin chocolate chip muffins going to be your new favorite fall obsession? Let me count the ways!

  • Bakery-Style Perfection: Get ready for those gorgeous, sky-high domes that make muffins look so inviting!
  • Crazy Moist & Tender: Nobody likes a dry muffin. These are packed with pumpkin and just the right touch of moisture.
  • Big Chocolate Chunks: We tuck in plenty of chocolate chips so you get that perfect gooey bite in every single muffin.
  • Super Easy One-Bowl Wonder: Yep, most of the magic happens in just one bowl. Less mess makes my heart sing!
  • Perfect for Fall Snacking: They’re the ultimate easy fall muffin that’s great any time of day.

Ingredients for Your Perfect Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Okay, let’s get down to the good stuff – what you’ll need to make these utterly amazing pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. It’s a pretty straightforward list, and I promise they’re all ingredients you can easily find at your local grocery store. These are the building blocks for that incredible, moist, bakery-style bite we’re after:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling!), make sure it’s the Libby’s kind, it works best!
  • 1/2 cup milk (any kind will do!)
  • 1 cup chocolate chips (semisweet is my go-to!)

Crafting Your Bakery Style Pumpkin Muffins: Step-by-Step

Alright, let’s get these amazing pumpkin chocolate chip muffins into the oven! This is where the magic really happens, and trust me, it’s way simpler than you might think. My whole philosophy here at Pure Cooking Joy is about making cooking feel like, well, pure joy, not a chore. So, we’re keeping this streamlined and easy.

First things first, get that oven preheating to 375°F (190°C). While it’s warming up, grab your muffin tin. I always like to line mine with those cute paper liners, but a good grease works just as well.

Now, grab your biggest mixing bowl. We’re going to do a “one-bowl wonder” for the dry stuff. Whisk together your flour, baking soda, salt, and all those warm fall spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. Just give them a good whisk until they’re all blended buddy-buddy.

In a separate, smaller bowl (or even a large measuring cup!), whisk together the sugar, vegetable oil, your eggs, and that lovely vanilla extract. Get them all nice and combined. Then, stir in the pumpkin puree and the milk until it’s smooth as silk.

Here’s the key: pour all those wet ingredients into your big bowl of dry ingredients. Now, this is super important – only mix until they’re *just* combined. You might still see a few little streaks of flour, and that’s perfectly okay! Overmixing is the enemy of tender muffins, so resist the urge to go crazy with the mixer.

Gently, oh so gently, fold in those chocolate chips. You want them nestled in there, not pulverized. Spoon the batter evenly into your prepared muffin cups. Don’t fill them to the brim just yet; aim for about two-thirds full. This gives them room to puff up beautifully.

Bake these beauties for about 18 to 22 minutes. The best way to know they’re ready? Pop a toothpick into the center of a muffin. If it comes out clean, or with just a few moist crumbs attached, they’re perfect! If there’s wet batter, give them another minute or two.

Let them cool in the muffin tin for just a few minutes – this helps them set up a bit. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. And voilà! You’ve just made your own bakery-style pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. How satisfying is that?

Tips for Achieving Tall, Bakery-Style Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

So, you want those gorgeous, sky-high domes on your pumpkin chocolate chip muffins? I totally get it! That’s the hallmark of a truly bakery-style muffin, and it’s easier than you think. It’s all about a few key tricks that I learned through lots of happy baking experiments.

First off, let’s talk about the batter. You want it thick, thick, thick! If it’s too thin, it’ll just spread out. Our recipe’s got that perfect consistency, but if yours seems a little runny, don’t stress. Just make sure you’re not overmixing in the earlier steps; we want to keep that good stuff in there.

Next, filling the muffin cups! Don’t be shy! You want to fill them about two-thirds to three-quarters of the way full. This gives the batter enough room to rise up and create that beautiful mound.

And the oven temperature? It’s a game-changer. I mentioned in the recipe that we start at 375°F (190°C), which is great for getting them to puff up quickly. Some people even swear by a super-hot oven for the first 5 minutes, then lowering it, but honestly, sticking with that 375°F seems to do the trick beautifully for these moist pumpkin muffins. Just watch them closely!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Moist Pumpkin Muffins

Let’s chat about a few of these ingredients because, honestly, the specifics really matter for getting that perfect texture and flavor in your moist pumpkin muffins. It’s all part of making baking feel like pure joy, right?

First up, that pumpkin puree! Make sure you’re grabbing 100% pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling (which already has sugar and spices). Libby’s is my go-to because it’s nice and thick, which is perfect for these muffins. If you can’t find it, any pure pumpkin puree will work, but you might notice a slightly different moisture level.

Now, about the oil. Vegetable oil is fantastic for keeping muffins incredibly moist, and it’s super neutral. If you want to swap it out, canola oil is a great alternative. Melted coconut oil also works beautifully and adds a subtle, yummy flavor. Just make sure it’s melted before you add it!

Thinking about making these a little healthier? You can totally substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour. It’ll give them a slightly heartier texture and boost the fiber a bit, but they’ll still be wonderfully moist and delicious!

Making Your Pumpkin Choc Chip Recipe Ahead and Freezing

You know, one of my favorite things about these pumpkin chocolate chip muffins is just how perfectly they fit into busy lives. Since they’re so moist and delicious, they’re the ultimate make-ahead fall treat! If you bake them and they happen to last longer than an hour (which is a miracle in my house!), you can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for about 2-3 days.

Want to get ahead and bake a big batch for the week or even longer? They freeze like an absolute dream! Let them cool completely, then pop them into a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll stay yummy and fresh for up to 3 months. Just pull one out the night before and pop it in the fridge to thaw, or zap it gently in the microwave. It’s the perfect way to have a ready-made freezer pumpkin snack whenever that craving hits!

Frequently Asked Questions About Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

I get asked all sorts of questions about these pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, and honestly, I love it! It means you’re digging into the recipe and wanting to make them perfectly. Here are a few that pop up a lot, with my best answers, of course!

Can I use pumpkin pie filling instead of pure pumpkin puree?

Oh, this is a common one! Please don’t use pumpkin pie filling. It already has sugar and spices mixed in, which will throw off the balance of our easy fall muffins and make them too sweet and taste a bit strange. Stick with 100% pure pumpkin puree – it’s the key to that delicious pumpkin flavor and perfect texture!

My muffins didn’t get tall domes. What did I do wrong?

Don’t worry, this happens! For those sky-high domes on your bakery style pumpkin muffins, make sure you’re not overfilling the cups (about two-thirds full is good), and try not to overmix the batter – a little streaky is okay! Also, making sure your oven is fully preheated to the right temperature, 375°F (190°C), is super important for that initial puff.

Can I make these ahead of time and freeze them?

Absolutely! These moist pumpkin muffins freeze wonderfully, which makes them an amazing freezer pumpkin snack. Just let them cool completely, then pop them into a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 3 months. Thaw them overnight in the fridge or gently warm them up. Easy peasy!

What does “do not overmix” really mean for these muffins?

This is so important for tender muffins! When you mix the wet and dry ingredients, you just want to stir until they are *barely* combined. If you mix too much, you’ll develop the gluten in the flour, which can make your muffins tough and dense instead of light and fluffy. A few little flour streaks left in the batter is actually a good sign you haven’t overmixed!

Estimated Nutritional Information for These Easy Fall Muffins

You know, I always like to give you a little heads-up on what you’re digging into, especially with treats like these easy fall muffins. This info is just an estimate per muffin, of course, since brands and exact measurements can make things a little different. But generally, you’re looking at around 300 calories, 15g of fat, about 40g of carbs, and 3g of protein. They’ve got a good amount of sugar (around 25g, thanks to that delicious pumpkin and chocolate!) and a little bit of fiber too. Enjoy them guilt-free!

Share Your Delicious Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins!

I’ve poured so much joy into these pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, and I truly hope you love making and eating them as much as I do! Now it’s your turn to get in on the fun. If you whip up a batch, I’d absolutely adore hearing all about it! Drop a comment below and let me know how they turned out, or even rate the recipe if you have a moment. And please, tag me on social media if you share any photos – seeing your creations makes my day!

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Bakery-Style Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Close-up of pumpkin chocolate chip muffins on a wire rack, showcasing the texture and chocolate chips.

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Enjoy these moist, bakery-style pumpkin chocolate chip muffins with tall domes. Perfect for a fall snack, these easy muffins are a joy to make and share.

  • Author: purejoyalex
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 12 muffins 1x
  • Category: Muffins
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease it well.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until well combined.
  4. Stir in the pumpkin puree and milk until smooth.
  5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
  7. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
  8. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
  9. Let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • For extra-tall domes, fill the muffin cups a little fuller and bake at a slightly higher temperature for the first 5 minutes, then reduce the temperature.
  • You can substitute whole wheat flour for half of the all-purpose flour for a healthier option.
  • These muffins freeze well. Store them in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 muffin
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 25g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 3g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg

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Hi, I'm Alex! I believe incredible food doesn't have to be complicated. Here at Pure Cooking Joy, I share delicious, approachable recipes designed to bring happiness back into your kitchen. Let's get cooking!

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