Cacao Pumpkin Spice Muffins

Another happy clappy fall pumpkin muffin over here! This one is my newest favorite (don't I say that every time?!? haha!). It is hearty, rich, flavorful, crunchy and moist in all the right places. It feels like it could be breakfast, or maybe dessert, and nourishing all at the same time. The pumpkin flavor still finds it's place among the deep flavors of cacao, molasses and even the pumpkin seeds. They are chocolatey, but not too much, and besides ALL that, aren't they beautiful!?!?

I wanted to call these "superfood" pumpkin muffins because that's just what I thought of when I made these up with raw cacao powder (the good stuff!) and these crunchy yummy pepitas (raw green pumpkin seeds).  You could add in a few goji berries to the mix and it might just be like my favorite trail mix combo of all time.

If you are looking for a little weekend adventure- give these muffins a try! I made a batch a few days ago, and I'm guessing you could find me in the kitchen again today making another batch. These fall days have been glorious- full of leaves falling and piles, apple and pumpkin picking, and the most perfect of fall nature walks. These muffins want to be along for the ride :) I hope you give them a try and ENJOY!

Cacao Pumpkin Spice Muffin Recipe
{gluten, dairy, soy, nuts, seeds, eggs, refined-sugar-free}

1/3 cup of coconut flour
1/3 cup of potato starch
1/3 cup tapioca flour
1/3 cup of rice flour
1 cup of gluten free oat flour (I grind my own out of GF rolled oats)
2 ts. of baking powder (Hain brand-corn free)
1 ts. of baking soda
1 ts. of sea salt
1 1/2 ts. of pumpkin pie spice mix
1/2 cup of coconut palm sugar
1/2 cup of cacao powder (regular baking cocoa powder works too)
1/2 cup of date puree
1/4 cup of molasses
1/3 cup of pure maple syrup
1/3 cup of coconut milk beverage with 1 TB apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup of pumpkin puree (fresh or canned)
1/2 cup of melted coconut oil

1/4 cup of raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
1/4 cup of Enjoy Life's mini chocolate chips


Mix all the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. Then add in the wet and whisk together well. Let the batter sit and stiffen up while the baking powder ignites. Then use a 1/3 cup greased with extra coconut oil and scoop out the batter onto parchment papered muffin tin papers.  You should get 12 large muffins from this recipe or at least 24 minis. Then use some melted coconut oil to brush over the tops before baking, and sprinkle with a mixture of pumpkin seeds and chocolate chips on top of the muffins. You may need to press them down gently to stick to all the tops well. Cover it as much or as little as you like. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes depending on your oven. Check the middles to make sure they are baked through and then serve after 15 minutes of cooling. 

Gorgeous and tasty! The best combo of fresh and nutritious food! I hope you give these goodies a try, HAPPY BAKING, friends and much love as always, xoxo