Yesterday, we excitedly announced, a new website design, new logo, and the biggest excitement of all, that Andrew is officially joining us as a writer on the blog.  We are so thrilled to actually make this a family venture and can’t wait to see where in the world the blog takes us now.   Not to be overlooked, but today we are equally giddy to announce a new series on our blog – Mini Chef Mondays.  Each Monday we will be sharing a recipe or how to “in the kitchen” that we’ve done with our mini chef.  If Skibbles isn’t doing some type of art project, you can usually find her exploring in the kitchen.  I know it’s one reason that we’ve gotten her to eat and enjoy so many foods and we think sharing our tips and tricks with you here will hopefully get your kids eating and trying new things.

One of my favorite things about getting Skibbles into the kitchen is that I can make it a learning experience. We inadvertently end up teaching our kids so much with hands on learning and watching her grow, learn, and explore gives me so much purpose.  We work on math, problem solving, fine motor skills, and so much more. There’s not much she can’t do (sans any stove or even yet), even though we are still adamantly working on cracking eggs together.

I credit letting her help me cook with her love of trying everything that we make.  Now, don’t get me wrong…there’s PLENTY of things she will look at sideways and hesitate to try, but 99% of the time she will try something.  She’ll quickly share her honesty with you if she thinks something is “eww, yucky” or if it’s “mmm, it’s dewicious (delicious)”.

One of the biggest obstacles for me in allowing her to help, is getting over my OCD about messes and trying to get my cooking space tidy.  The joy and smile on her face as she helps makes it worth it time and time again though.

We had a blast baking these chocolate chip pumpkin muffins together.  I made it a learning experience by having her count the chocolate chip as she was putting them on the top.  The only thing she didn’t help with in this recipe was putting them in/taking them out of the oven, otherwise she was involved in all steps. She showed her appreciation by devouring a ton of them afterwards.

This batter is thick enough that the chocolate chips won’t fall to the bottom, but I still love putting extras on top.  You have the option to just mix them all into the batter if you choose.  If you prefer no chocolate, these muffins are still great without them, but trust me they are better with them.  One of the things I love about this chocolate chip pumpkin muffin recipe is that there is no processed white sugar or oil added into the recipe, yet they are still moist and uber-delicious.

0 from 0 votes

Print

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins

Author: Larisha Campbell

Ingredients

• 1 cup honey
• 2 cups pumpkin puree or one 15oz can
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
• 3 cups whole wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
• pinch of salt
• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips divided

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. Grease muffin tins with coconut oil or use liners.
3. In a small bowl, mix flour, baking soda, baking powder, pumpkin pie spice, and salt. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, pumpkin and applesauce until smooth.
5. Slowly, combine the flour mixture to the pumpkin mixture and mix until well combined.
6. Fold in one cup of chocolate chips.
7. Add mixture to muffin tins until each is 3/4 of the way full.
8. Take remaining chocolate chips and evenly divide amongst each muffin and add to the top of the mixture.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. (mini muffins will cook in approximately 15 minutes, jumbo muffins take approximately 30 minutes)
10. Let cool for 10 minutes then use a butter knife to release sides and remove to a wire cooling rack.

I am hosting Mini Chef Mondays along with 10 fabulous bloggers!

Be sure to check out each of their Mini Chef posts as well. We would love it if you would share your Mini Chef posts with us each week, too! Follow along socially and join in on the fun by using our hashtag #MiniChefMondays to share creations your mini chef created in the kitchen. Don’t have a blog? Share the URL of your instagram photo in our linky below. 🙂

• How to Make Chocolate Covered Strawberries // Courtney’s Sweets
• How to Make Banana Pancakes // Eating Richly Even When Your Broke
• Apple Pie Floats // Momma Lew
• Spiralized Vegetable Noodle Salad with Ginger Dressing // Vegging at the Shore
• Super-Easy Salsa // Frugal Novice
• Quick Minions Cookies // The Shirley Journey
• Applesauce Making With Kids // O’Boy Organic
• Leftover Halloween Candy Peanut Butter Cup Granola Bars // Giggles, Gobbles and Gulps
• Easy Chicken Salad // Can’t Google Everything
• Chocolate Chip Muffins // We’re Parents
• Baby Loving Mama