Whole Wheat Mini Pumpkin Muffins

Yield: 36 mini muffins

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

 * 1 and 3/4 cups (220g) whole wheat flour (spoon & leveled)1
 * 1 teaspoon baking powder
 * 1 teaspoon baking soda
 * 1/2 teaspoon salt
 * 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
 * 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice2
 * 2 large Eggland's Best eggs, at room temperature
 * 1/2 cup (95g) lightly packed brown sugar
 * 1 cup (228g) pumpkin puree (not pumpkin pie filling)
 * 1/3 cup (72g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled3
 * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
 * 1/3 cup (80ml) milk (I use almond milk; any milk is OK)
 * 1/2 cup (90g) mini chocolate chips4

Directions:

 * 1) Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Grease/spray two mini muffin pans with nonstick cooking spray. This recipe makes around 36 muffins, so you will only use half of the 2nd pan. If using mini liners, grease/spray them with cooking spray. Set pans aside.
 * 2) In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and pumpkin pie spice together. Set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs, brown sugar, pumpkin puree, melted butter, vanilla, and milk together until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, stir a few times, then add the mini chocolate chips. Fold everything together gently just until combined.
 * 3) Fill muffin cups around 3/4 - all the way full. Go for about 1 heaping Tablespoon of batter per muffin. Bake for 12-14 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If your oven has hot spots, be sure to rotate the pans during bake time. My muffins took 12 minutes. Remove pans from the oven. Allow muffins to slightly cool before enjoying.
 * 4) Make ahead tip:  Muffins stay fresh in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. Muffins can be frozen up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm to your liking before serving.

Recipe Notes:
Enjoy!!
 * 1) You can also use white whole wheat flour or all-purpose flour. Or a mix of whole wheat and all-purpose.
 * 2) Instead of pumpkin pie spice, you can use 1/4 teaspoon each of ground nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves, and ground allspice. Sometimes I use closer to 1 and 1/4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice. I like a lot of spice flavor!
 * 3) I do not recommend leaving out the butter. This is what makes these muffins tender and similar to the texture of higher calorie pumpkin muffins. You can use oil or melted coconut oil in its place. Do not sub applesauce; the muffins will have a rubbery texture.
 * 4) Mini chocolate chips are best. You get many more in each muffin which makes them taste so good. Feel free to increase mini chocolate chips to 2/3 cup (I've done that-- so good!). I do not recommend regular size.