Pumpkin Dark Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Muffins

      Yesterday was the first day of Autumn, perfect timing because I've been in a pumpkin mood lately! I love anything Fall. Pumpkin, apple, cinnamon you name it! I've been trying to perfect an "oatmeal pumpkin dark chocolate chip" recipe using oats instead of flour, since oats provide more nutritional benefits! I could not get the right consistency, but today I found a recipe that answered my prayers! I made the muffins earlier and they came out perfect! The house smells like Fall and my mood is amazing.  These muffins are delicious! They're moist and light and I love them! I decided to add dark chocolate chips too because how does dark chocolate not go perfectly with pumpkin?! These muffins are not only delicious but nutritious! They have 4 "Super Foods" (see Lifestyle Change page for more information) oats, yogurt, eggs and dark chocolate. I've tried these muffins cold, warm and at room temperature and they by far taste best at room temperature. Feel free to try this recipe! I am excited to share these muffins and recipe with family and friends!

                 

Recipe

• 1 cup Libby's Pumpkin Puree
• 1/2 cup unsweetened apple sauce
• 1/2 cup plain Greek Yogurt (I use Chobani)
• 3 Egg whites
• 1 3/4 cup Old Fashioned Oats
• 1/2 cup Dark Chocolate Chips
• 1 cup sugar substitute of choice that measures like sugar
• 1 tsp Baking Soda
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• 1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 2 tbsp water

Directions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
• Line 1 (12-cup) or 2 (6-cup) muffin pans with silicone or foil cupcake liners, or spray muffin tin with non-stick cooking spray. Set aside.
• In a blender (or food processor) mix all ingredients besides chocolate chips together.
• Blend until the oats are ground and the mixture is smooth.
• Place mixture in a bowl and stir 1/4 cup of chocolate chips (set the other 1/4 cup of chocolate chips aside).
• Scoop mixture into the prepared muffin pans.
• Place muffin tins in the oven for 15 minutes.
• Remove muffins from oven and distribute the remaining 1/4 cup of chocolate chips to the tops of the muffins.
• Place muffins back into the oven and bake for another 5-10 minutes. (Mine took a total of 25 minutes to bake.)
• Remove muffins from oven.
• Cool muffins before removing from pan.
• Enjoy your "love at first bite". 

Nutritional Information
(One Muffin)

Calories: 114
Fat: 4
Carbs: 16
Fiber: 4
Sugars: 6
Protein: 4

		*Recipe modified from http://dashingdish.com/recipe/moist-pumpkin-protein-muffins/