Chocolate Chunk Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins

Pumpkin and chocolate make a great paring! Try them together in these easy Chocolate Chunk Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins. These muffins are the ultimate fall breakfast!

Creating This Pumpkin Muffin Recipe

Sometimes life doesn’t go according to our best laid plans and intentions. I’ve been trying to get this pumpkin applesauce muffin recipe up for the past couple days, but instead I’ve been dealing with migraines, a teething 2 year old, and a 4 1/2 year old giving me attitude.

Days comprised of unpleasant elements such as those, I’m so glad I have leftover muffins like these to start the day with. And that my best friend is visiting from Arizona.

It has been a lot of fun to have a friend to cook with this week, and I’m sad that we only have 1 1/2 days left of her visit.

We both loved these pumpkin muffins with chocolate chips! The applesauce adds moisture and a subtle apple flavor.

These pumpkin muffins are super moist and easy to make and a great way to start the day — even the bad ones.

Ingredients in Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins

To make these moist pumpkin muffins, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Eggs
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• Pumpkin puree
• Butter
• Applesauce
• All-purpose flour
• Baking soda & baking powder
• Cinnamon & allspice
• Chocolate chunks

For the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the FREE printable recipe card.

How to Make Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins

Just like classic pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, this recipe is a breeze to make!

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. With a wire whisk, beat the eggs in a large bowl, and mix in the sugar, pumpkin, applesauce, and butter.
3. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice, salt, and chocolate.
4. Stir the flour mixture into the egg and pumpkin mixture until just combined.
5. Transfer better into lined muffin cups. Bake 15 to 20 minutes.

The above is simply a quick summary of this recipe. Check out the full recipe in the free printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.

How to Store Pumpkin Muffins

I feel comfortable storing these easy pumpkin applesauce muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-4 days. However, if keeping baked goods at room temperature makes you nervous, go ahead and store the muffins in the fridge. Just note that refrigerated muffins tend to dry out quickly.

These Pumpkin Applesauce Muffins will last for 2-4 days when stored properly. Here are my muffin storage tips:

STEP ONE: Transfer the baked muffins to a wire rack and allow them to cool completely. If you store warm pumpkin muffins, you’ll end up with a lot of excess moisture on your muffins due to condensation (and this causes them to go soggy AND mold).

STEP TWO: Place a sheet of paper towels on the bottom of a large, lidded storage container. You can also use gallon sized ziptop bags with a sheet of paper towel inside.

The paper towels will help absorb any excess moisture that is released from the pumpkin applesauce muffins and help prevent them from becoming soggy.

STEP THREE: Transfer the pumpkin muffins to the paper towel lined container or bag.

STEP FOUR: Lay another paper towel on top of the muffins.

Depending on how deep your container is, you may be able to fit more than one layer of muffins. In this case, repeat the process – always end with a paper towel on top of the last layer of muffins. A bag will likely fit only one layer.

STEP FIVE: Place the lid on the container (or zip the bag) and store at room temperature.

Can Pumpkin Muffins Be Frozen?

Yes! Freezing muffins is a great idea if you need quick breakfasts or snacks throughout the week and want to prep them in advance.

After completely cooling, place in gallon sized resealable freezer bags. Muffins can be frozen up to three months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight on your countertop or reheat gently in the microwave.

This post explains how to freeze muffins in detail, as well as provides thawing instructions and 15 easy muffin recipes.

Can the Chocolate Chunks Be Omitted?

Yes, to make classic pumpkin applesauce muffins simply omit the chocolate chunks altogether.

Tips for the Best Ever Pumpkin Muffins

• For the dark chocolate, I used a bar of Scharffen Berger 70% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate. It was the perfect complement to the spicy sweet pumpkin muffins.
• When I chop the chocolate, there are usually lots of small bits that are almost shaved leftover on the cutting board. I like to sprinkle a pinch of these on top of the muffin batter in each cup before baking for a little chocolate on top too.
• If you don’t have a chocolate bar on hand, you’re welcome to substitute regular chocolate chips instead.

More Easy Pumpkin Recipes:

A chocolate cookie crust, creamy pumpkin filling, and chocolate ganache topping make this the best Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake ever!

Pumpkin Truffles are simply, no-bake treats you can enjoy all fall long!

This homemade Pumpkin Custard is incredibly easy to prepare and makes for a wonderful fall dessert. Perfect for family gatherings!

This Pumpkin Pudding recipe is the perfect way to celebrate fall! It is easy to prepare, super creamy, and full of all your favorite fall spices. 

These No Bake Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake Jars feature yummy layers of gingersnap crust and no bake pumpkin cheesecake filling. They’re like cute little individual pumpkin cheesecakes!

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