Try this new recipe for muffins, with pumpkin and all the spices that resonate Fall, but with a special ingredient of chocolate pudding!  Instead of chocolate chips or cocoa for chocolate cake, try making up an easy packet of chocolate pudding mix and use to give some surprise pockets of moist chocolate goodness!

Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins – With Chocolate Pudding

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$ photo collage of wooden table in AUtumn with chocolate pumpkin muffins and picking up, cutting and eating.

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Ingredient Notes

Extra close shot of inside cut pupkin scooping out the guts and seeds with a pumpkin puree title.

The Pumpkin Puree

This is a super simple recipe to make and can easily be increased too. I use my own roasted pumpkin puree as it’s hard to come across it in a can here in the UK (as well as expensive).

If you can get your hands on a pumpkin and better still, also a butternut squash, this is easily made at home. (Cans of pumpkin puree are actually made from pumpkin and butternut squash, with a more orange colour coming from the flesh of the squash).

Before pureeing, it can even be used as an alternative to roast potatoes as a healthier option with no oil/fats or salt added.

Check out my Homemade Roasted Pumpkin Puree recipe for UK readers.

Shot of Autum wooden table with chocolate pumpkin muffins and pouring some Golden Syrup on top.

Choice Of Flour

I have initially developed these chocolate pumpkin muffins using UK Self-raising Flour, not to be confused with US Self-rising. The amount of baking powder is slightly different.

I have also tested using Plain/All Purpose flour and added baking powder to get the correct rise. Amounts for that are given in the ingredient list (note all my recipes give alternative flour guidance).

You could also try using half wholemeal/wheat flour. Just note that wholemeal/wheat flour absorbs more fluid so would be ideal to add some extra liquid or milk to the batter at the end stage (just make sure to leave the batter a few minutes to see how much liquid it absorbs first).

Close up of a broke in half chocolate studded pumpkin muffin on open brown cupcake paper case.

Type Of Sugar Used

Since we are using oil for the Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins, we are not ‘creaming’ butter and sugar together like we would for a lighter more airy sponge cake, and so the type of sugar you use doesn’t actually matter. Castor is better for creaming, but for these muffins I used a combination of granulated and light brown sugar (2:1 ratio).

Why Sugar Is Needed

Sugar is not just there for sweetness, but for structure, & preserving the bake. So I would not recommend the use of artificial sweeteners, but rather coconut sugar which you can use about 20% less of.

For more on how common baking ingredients work together, check out my Baking Science article.

Overhead flatlay shot of chocolate and pumpkin muffins on a wooden dinner table with Autumn decorations and one served with coffee.

A Little Note On The Spices

These chocolate pumpkin muffins have all the usual flavours associated with Fall and pumpkin bakes. In the UK we use a blend of spices called Mixed Spice which is essentially a combination of cinnamon, ginger, anise, nutmeg & cloves. You can substitute with Pumpkin Spice.

I love anise & nutmeg so tend to add some of them on top of the Mixed Spice. The anise is very subtle but if you like it go ahead, increase to 1/2 tsp. And talking of the nutmeg, I grate it fresh and it gives off the most amazing scents.

The Special Ingredient – Chocolate Pudding

And finally the secret or unexpected ingredient in these Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins, is chocolate pudding mix. You can make your own chocolate pudding, but I just used a packet I had (that I intended on using for something else).

Collage of packet for Chocolate pudding powder mix and once made up.

I know these are very common in the US, and often used added dry into cake recipes. In this recipe however, you are making up the chocolate pudding mix, as per the instructions on the packet (which usually involves boiling and simmering). The chocolate pudding is then left to cool while you make the muffin batter.

Close shot of hands holding pieces of chocolate and pumpkin muffin.

You then add drops of the chocolate pudding to the muffin cases, alternating with the pumpkin muffin batter to get an even distribution. In the end it gives a kind of animal print look to it, but most importantly, unexpected pockets of sweet chocolate when you take a bite.

Experienced Bakers – For experienced bakers, you can skip to the recipe card for an abbreviated version of the recipe. Just click below.

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CHOCOLATE PUMPKIN MUFFINS CHOCOLATE PUDDING Download

Stack of chocolate studded pumpkin muffins on a plate and centre ones stacked high andtitled stacked.

Stack of chocolate studded pumpkin muffins on a plate and centre ones stacked high and hand reaching in.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Prepare The Chocolate Pudding

1. Start by making the chocolate pudding mix as per the instructions on the packet (usually adding milk and bringing to a boil, then simmering till thickened).

Then leave to cool with some cling film/plastic wrap placed on top of the surface of the pudding (to stop a skin forming).

Collage of dry ingredients for pumpkin muffins - photo 1.

Make The Muffin Batter

2. Pre-heat your oven to: 180c/160c Fan Oven/360f/Gas Mark 4. Begin making the muffins by mixing together in a large bowl or stand mixer, the sugar, oil and eggs. Mix just until incorporated. See Photo 1 above.

3. Next sieve over the flour, salt & spices and mix just until fully incorporated. No over mixing or you will have a tough bake. See Photo 2.

Collage of mixing wet and dry pumpkin muffin ingredients & adding milk - photo 2.

4. Finally mix in the milk & then fold in the pumpkin puree till evenly distributed. Note you will have quite a thick batter. You can thin just a little if you like by adding a touch more milk. See Photo 3 below.

5. Now line your cupcake trays with 18 paper cases and place the cooled down chocolate pudding into a piping bag (I like a piping syringe for smaller jobs, see photo above). This is optional but if you use the smallest piping nozzle (#1) or just cut a tiny hole, you have more control. Alternatively you can use some small spoons.

Collage of pureed roasted pumpkin and after adding to make the muffin batter - photo 3.

6. Scoop about a tbsp (or small scoop worth) of the pumpkin batter into the bottom of the paper cases. See Photo 4.

7. Next pipe some small random ‘blobs’ (for want of a better word), on top of the pumpkin batter. I did a kind of animal pattern with random sized & shaped spots. Just don’t do too big an area of the pudding as you need some of the pumpkin batter to be in-between to work as the structure of the bake & for it not to collapse. See Photo 4.

Collage of adding some pumpkin mufin batter to cupcake cases and then piping small random spots of chocolate pudding - photo 4.

8. Now spoon some of the pumpkin batter back on top of the chocolate pudding layer. Alternate this layering till you get to near the top of the cases (about 85% full) & all the pumpkin batter is used up. Top with some more of the pudding. Only about half of the pudding mix (depending on the size of the packet you used). So enough left to place in little bowls and have as a dessert. See Photo 5.

Collage of adding another layer of batter and then more spots of chocolate pudding - photo 5.

9. Give the cupcake trays a few taps on the counter/worktop to expel any trapped air.

10. Place in the centre of the pre-heated oven to bake.

See Photo collage 5.

Baked pumpkin muffins with chocolate pudding spots - photo 6.

Bake The Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins

11. Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes, until risen, golden and a wooden cocktail stick comes out clean of crumbs. See Photo 6.

12. Leave in the cupcake tray on top of a cooling rack, for about 5 -10 minutes, before removing and allowing to cool down completely.

13. Serve as is, or with your favourite syrup or ice-cream topping, oh and even with some cream!

14. Store left-overs in an air-tight container. I prefer a metal cake tin and will last 3 to 4 days. Can easily be frozen, wrapped in baking/parchment paper and then foil or cling film/plastic wrap or food baggie and defrosted at room temperature.

DIFFICULTY LEVEL: easy, beginner

Recipe card

Chocolate Pumpkin Muffins – With Chocolate Pudding

Hand around mug of hot coffee & chocolate spotted pumpkin muffins, around AUtumn decorations.

Try this new recipe for muffins, with pumpkin & all the spices that resonate Fall, but wth a special ingredient of chocolate pudding! Instead of chocolate chips of chocolate cake, try preparing & using an easy packet of chocolate pudding mix, & use to give some surprise pockets of moist chocolate goodness!

Caro @ Caroline’s Easy Baking Lessons

Prep Time 45

Cook Time 25

Cooling Time 20

Total Time 1 30

Serving Size muffins

Equipment

Scales or measuring cups
Measuring Spoons
Small Jug (optional)
Large mixing bowl
Stand or Hand Mixer
Piping bag/syringe (optional)
Small spoons
12-hole Cupcake tray/sheet x 2
18 Muffin/Large Cupcake Paper Cases
Timer
Wooden Cocktail stick
Cooling racks
Cooking pot

Ingredients

200 grams Light Brown Sugar (7 oz, 1 cup) * See Notes
100 grams Granulated Sugar (3.5 oz, ½ cup)
2 Medium Eggs (US Large)
60 ml Vegetable Oil (2 fl oz, ¼ cup)
415 grams Self-raising Flour (14.5 oz, 3⅓ cups) OR Plain/All Purpose Flour PLUS 5 tsp Baking Powder
¼ tsp Salt
1½ tsp Mixed Spice (Pumpkin Spice, *see notes)
¼ tsp Anise, ground (Or grind Star Anise, Increase to ½ tsp if you like.) *See notes
¼ Whole Fresh Nutmeg, grated (Or ½ tsp, optional)
425 grams Pumpkin Puree (15 oz, scant 2 cups) See notes for home made roasted pumpkin puree recipe
240 ml Milk, approx. (8 fl oz, 1 cup)
1 Packet Chocolate Pudding Mix (powder) I used about half of a 100g/3½ oz packet that I prepared, with milk, as per the instructions.

Instructions

PREPARE THE CHOCOLATE PUDDING

Make the chocolate pudding mix as per the instructions on the packet (usually adding milk & bringing to a boil & simmering till thickened). Alternatively, make your own.
Leave to cool with some cling film/plastic wrap placed on top of the surface of the pudding and meanwhile pre-heat the oven to 180c/160c Fan Oven/360f/Gas Mark 4 & make the muffin batter.

PREPARE THE MUFFIN BATTER

Begin making the muffins by mixing together in a large bowl or stand mixer, the sugar, oil and eggs. Mix just until incorporated. Next sieve over the flour, salt & spices and mix just until fully incorporated. Finally mix in the milk & then fold in the pumpkin puree till evenly distributed. This makes a thick batter, but you can thin a little by adding a touch more milk.
Line your cupcake trays with 18 paper cases & place the cooled down chocolate pudding into a piping bag/syringe or use small spoons. Scoop about a tbsp (or small scoop worth) of the pumpkin batter into the bottom of the paper cases. Pipe or spoon some small random ‘blobs’ (for want of a better word), of the chocolate pudding, on top of the pumpkin batter. Just don’t do too big an area of the pudding. Now spoon some of the pumpkin batter on top of the chocolate pudding layer. Alternate this layering till you get to near the top of the cases (about 85% full) and all the pumpkin batter is used up. Then top with some more of the pudding. You will probably use only about half of the pudding mix

BAKE THE PUMPKIN CHOCOLATE MUFFINS

Give the cupcake trays a few taps on the counter/worktop to expell any trapped air, and then bake for 25 to 30 minutes until risen, golden & a cocktail stick comes out clean of crumbs.
Leave on the cupcake tray, on top of a cooling rack for 5 – 10 minutes, before transferring the muffins to the cooling rack alone, to cool down completely.
Store left-overs in an air-tight container and will last 3 or 4 days. Can easily be frozen, wrapped in baking/parchment paper and then foil or cling film/plastic wrap or food baggie and defrosted at room temperature.

Notes

Sugar – a combination of white and brown (light &/or dark) sugar can be used. See top of recipe blog.

Flour – Plain/A.P. flour can be used instead of UK Self-raising. See main recipe blog.

Mixed Spice – alternative being Pumpkin Spice or you can make your own blend – see main recipe blog.

Anise – this is optional & can be increased. Or grind Star Anise.

Pumpkin Puree – click for how to make home-made Roasted Pumpkin Puree

For any other questions, please see the main recipe blog.

Close shot of single brown plate of one opened up chocolate pumpkin muffin with syrup served.

Go to more Halloween & Fall/Autumnal recipes

Feedback and photo of my chocolate pudding pumkin muffins by a reader Jennifer Jones.

Reader’s Bake

Here is reader Jennifer Jones’ photo of my Chocolate Pudding Pumpkin Muffins & some lovely feedback from here (taken as a screenshot from my group on Facebook).

Thanks Jennifer, they look great! And sure the boys loved them.

Check out more Halloween/Autumn recipes on my Halloween & Fall/Autumnal recipe page

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