Irresistible Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins with Creamy Pumpkin Spiced Glaze: Your Perfect Fall Bake

As the leaves begin to turn and a crispness fills the air, there’s an undeniable call for warm, comforting treats. These Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins with Pumpkin Spiced Glaze are not just a recipe; they are an invitation to embrace the coziness of autumn. They serve as an ideal breakfast, a delightful lunchbox surprise, or a much-anticipated after-school snack, bringing the quintessential flavors of fall right to your kitchen.

Embracing Autumn Flavors: A Family’s Weekend and the Joy of Homemade Baking

This particular weekend is extra special for our family. My son is enjoying a luxurious four-day break from school, with Thursday and Friday off for parent-teacher conferences. This extended time means he gets to spend much-missed moments with his grandparents, who are visiting. Usually, their visits are confined to the weekend, but not this time! His excitement is absolutely contagious. My husband and I are also looking forward to a short getaway to Denver on Saturday. It’s been far too long since we’ve had a night to ourselves, so a quiet break is a welcome prospect.

For me, fall signifies the unofficial start of pumpkin season in the kitchen. My son is a huge enthusiast of all things pumpkin, which contrasts humorously with my husband’s complete aversion to it. Consequently, I don’t go overboard with pumpkin recipes, but I make sure to introduce a few new ideas each autumn that are too good to pass up. While certain coffee chains see lines snaking out their doors for their pumpkin spice lattes every fall, I’ve always preferred the satisfaction of whipping up my own pumpkin-flavored creations at home. There’s something truly magical about the scent of pumpkin and cinnamon blending together, filling the house with an unparalleled warmth and a cozy, inviting atmosphere. These chocolate pumpkin muffins are undoubtedly a prime example of that delightful experience!

The Undeniable Harmony of Chocolate and Pumpkin

The combination of rich chocolate and subtly sweet pumpkin is a culinary match made in heaven. The deep, slightly bitter notes of cocoa perfectly balance the earthy sweetness of pumpkin puree, creating a flavor profile that is both comforting and sophisticated. If you haven’t yet discovered this pairing, you’re in for a delightful revelation. Last year, I crafted a chocolate pumpkin bread that was met with resounding approval; it quickly became a family favorite. Its popularity was such that I ended up baking extra loaves to give to my son’s teachers during the holiday season.

Given my well-known passion for baking muffins, it should come as no surprise that I decided to channel this beloved flavor combination into a new muffin recipe. The re-appearance of International Delight Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer in stores was the perfect impetus to elevate these muffins to the next level. Incorporating this flavorful creamer into the muffin batter itself deepens the pumpkin spice notes, while also using it in the glaze provides just the right amount of warm spice and a wonderfully smooth texture. The results were an instant hit! The day I first baked these, my son’s excitement upon returning home from school was immeasurable. The following morning, a friend’s son, who was with us before school, managed to enjoy two of these muffins despite having already eaten breakfast! This speaks volumes about their irresistible appeal. So, don’t delay – gather your ingredients and head to the kitchen to whip up a batch of these glorious chocolate pumpkin muffins to enjoy throughout the fall season!

Essential Tips for Baking Your Best Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins

Achieving bakery-quality muffins at home is easier than you think with a few key techniques. These tips will help ensure your Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins are perfectly moist, flavorful, and rise beautifully every time:

• Measure Accurately: Especially with flour, use a kitchen scale for precision, or spoon flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a straight edge rather than scooping directly, which can compact it.
• Do Not Overmix: This is arguably the most crucial muffin-making rule. Once you combine the wet and dry ingredients, mix only until they are just incorporated. A few lumps in the batter are perfectly fine, and even desirable, as overmixing develops gluten, leading to tough, chewy muffins instead of light, tender ones.
• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs, and any dairy (like the Pumpkin Spice Creamer, if you’re pulling it straight from the fridge), are at room temperature. This allows them to emulsify better with other ingredients, creating a smoother, more uniform batter and a better texture in your baked goods.
• Quality Matters: Opt for high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder and good chocolate chips. The flavor of these key ingredients will shine through. Make sure you’re using pure pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling, which contains added spices and sugar.
• Uniform Muffins: To ensure all muffins bake evenly and look consistent, use an ice cream scoop to divide the batter into your muffin cups. This also helps prevent overfilling, which can lead to muffins spilling over their liners.
• Customize Your Glaze Consistency: When preparing the glaze, start with the lesser amount of International Delight Pumpkin Spice Creamer (3 tablespoons). Whisk it thoroughly with the powdered sugar, then gradually add more creamer, a teaspoon at a time, until you achieve a smooth consistency that is thick enough to drizzle but not too runny.
• Cool Completely Before Glazing: Patience is key here! It’s essential that the muffins are completely cool before you drizzle on the glaze. If the muffins are even slightly warm, the glaze will melt and absorb into the muffin rather than forming a beautiful, set layer on top.

Creative Serving Suggestions and Flavor Variations

These chocolate pumpkin muffins are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many ways throughout the fall season. Pair them with a warm cup of coffee or a spiced tea for a comforting breakfast, tuck them into lunchboxes for a delightful midday treat, or serve them as an afternoon pick-me-up. Feel free to get creative with these delicious muffins:

• Add a Nutty Crunch: For an added layer of texture and flavor, fold in 1/2 cup of finely chopped pecans or walnuts along with the chocolate chips into the batter.
• Indulgent Cream Cheese Swirl: Elevate the decadence by adding a spoonful of sweetened cream cheese (lightly mixed with a pinch of pumpkin spice) to the top of each muffin before baking. As they bake, the cream cheese will create a beautiful, creamy swirl.
• White Chocolate Chip Magic: Experiment with different types of chocolate! Replace half of the semi-sweet chocolate chips with white chocolate chips for a sweeter, creamier contrast to the pumpkin and cocoa.
• Classic Streusel Topping: If you prefer a crunchy topping over a glaze, prepare a simple streusel (made from flour, brown sugar, cold butter, and a dash of cinnamon) and sprinkle it generously over the muffin batter before baking.

Storage Best Practices

To keep your chocolate pumpkin muffins fresh and delicious, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. If you’ve glazed them, placing a paper towel at the bottom of the container can help absorb any excess moisture and prevent sogginess. For longer storage, these muffins freeze beautifully. Simply place them in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw at room temperature or gently warm them in the microwave for that fresh-baked taste. Keep in mind that the glaze might become slightly softer upon thawing, but the delicious flavor will remain intact.

There’s no better way to celebrate the vibrant flavors of fall than with a batch of these homemade chocolate pumpkin muffins. They are guaranteed to become a beloved staple in your autumn baking repertoire!

Explore More Muffin Delights!

If you’re as passionate about muffins as we are, you’ll be thrilled to discover our extensive collection! We’ve gathered over 50 diverse muffin recipes in one convenient location, offering endless inspiration for your next baking adventure. Be sure to check out some of these other fantastic recipes:

• Butterscotch Banana Muffins by Love from the Oven
• Coconut Chocolate Chip Muffins
• Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Muffins
• Blueberry Crumble Muffins by Country Cleaver

Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins with Pumpkin Spiced Glaze

By
Erin Sellin

These delightful Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins with Pumpkin Spiced Glaze are a perfect treat for breakfast, lunchboxes, or after-school snacks, bringing the best of fall flavors to your table.

Prep:
10 mins

Cook:
18 mins

Total:
28 mins

Servings:
16

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Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/2 cup Pumpkin Spice Creamer
• 1/4 cup oil
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chocolate chips

For the Glaze

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 to 4 Tbls International Delight Pumpkin Spice Creamer

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a 16-cup muffin tin with paper liners or generously spray with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the unsweetened cocoa powder, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and pumpkin pie spice. Ensure all dry ingredients are well combined. Set aside.
3. In a separate large bowl, combine the granulated sugar, pumpkin puree, Pumpkin Spice Creamer, oil, large eggs, and vanilla extract. Whisk these wet ingredients until they are smooth and thoroughly blended.
4. Gradually add the prepared dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Stir gently with a spoon or spatula until the ingredients are just barely combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few small lumps are perfectly acceptable and contribute to a tender muffin. Gently fold in the chocolate chips.
5. Divide the muffin batter evenly among the 16 prepared muffin cups.
6. Bake for 14-18 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
7. Once baked, remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool in the muffin tin for 5 minutes before carefully transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. While the muffins are cooling, prepare the pumpkin spiced glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and 3 tablespoons of International Delight Pumpkin Spice Creamer. If the glaze is too thick, add an additional tablespoon of creamer, a teaspoon at a time, until you achieve a smooth, drizzling consistency.
9. Once the muffins are completely cool, drizzle generously with the pumpkin spiced glaze. These muffins are best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored as directed.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

• Serving Size: 1 muffin (1g)
• Calories: 278 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Protein: 4g
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 23mg
• Sodium: 199mg
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 29g

Additional Info

Author:
Erin Sellin

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Cook Time:
18 minutes

Total Time:
28 minutes

Course:
Breakfast Recipes, Snack

Cuisine:
American

Servings:
16

Calories:
278

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of International Delight. The opinions and text are all mine.