Name: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Muffins
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Yield: 15 muffins
Ingredients: 8 ounces light cream cheese; 3 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1 large egg yolk; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 1 teaspoon baking soda; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice; 3/4 cup brown sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix); 1/2 cup oil, canola or vegetable; 1/3 cup fat free milk; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/2 semisweet chocolate chips; 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (or semisweet); Chocolate Chips; Decorative Sugar

Hello Fall…you know what that means…it is PUMPKIN time!! I have to say the beginning of Fall is one of my favorite times of the year. Bring on the pumpkins, yummy foods and cooler weather!!

A match made in pumpkin heaven…

Over the next few months you will see pumpkin recipes everywhere, for everything so I thought why not start with the first meal of the day…MUFFINS (I mean breakfast)! I love pumpkin bread for sure but pumpkin muffins are my favorite. They are even better when loaded with cream cheese and chocolate.

If you frequent starbucks (like I do) I am sure you have seen their pumpkin bread, cookies, scones and muffins. They are really good but none of them have chocolate in them. In my opinion pumpkin and chocolate are a match made in heaven and these muffins are that and even more.

Layer it up…

To make these muffins super decadent they are loaded with 2 types of chocolate and a delicious cheesecake filling in the center. To make sure each bite is perfect I start with a cookie scoop of pumpkin batter into the bottom each muffin liner. Then comes the cheesecake mixture and then more pumpkin…and wait we are not done yet. I sprinkle more chocolate chips on top with some decorative sugar…just for some extra yummy.

By adding the cheesecake mixture to the middle of the muffin it cooks up evenly and is a perfect little surprise when you bite into this delicious muffin. If cream cheese goodness if not your thing you can definitely bake these muffins up with it….but really why would you?

Get the oven preheating…

MJ

15 muffins

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Muffins

Decadent pumpkin muffins with a cheesecake filling and chocolate chips in each bite

20 minPrep Time

20 minCook Time

40 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

Cheesecake Filling

8 ounces light cream cheese

3 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 large egg yolk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Muffins

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice

3/4 cup brown sugar

2 large eggs

1 cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)

1/2 cup oil, canola or vegetable

1/3 cup fat free milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (or semisweet)

Optional Toppings

Chocolate Chips

Decorative Sugar

Directions

Preheat oven to 425

Line muffin tins with 15 liners, or spray with nonstick spray, set aside

In the bowl of a stand mixer, or a large mixing bowl, cream together cream cheese and sugar until smooth

Add in egg yolk and vanilla, mixing until smooth, set aside

In a large bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt & pumpkin pie spice

In a separate bowl whisk together brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin, oil, milk & vanilla until well combined

Pour pumpkin mixture into flour mixture and stir until just combined

Stir in chocolate chips, until just combined

Using a small cookie scoop, place 1 scoop (or 1 tablespoon) of muffin batter into each muffin liner

Spoon 1 tablespoon cheesecake filling on top of muffin batter

Place 1 more scoop (or 1 tablespoon) of muffin batter over the cheesecake filling

Sprinkle with additional chocolate chips and sugar (if using)

Place in oven and bake for 5 minutes, then reduce oven temperature (keeping muffins in the oven) to 350 and continue baking for another 12-15 minutes, or until starting to brown

Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes

Serve and ENJOY!!

Notes

Each muffin is 13 WW Smart Points

Nutritional Info

Calories 306 - Calories from Fat 153 - Total Fat 17 g - Saturated Fat 6.6 g - Monounsaturated Fat 6.2 g - Polyunsaturated Fat 3.8 g - Trans Fat 0 g - Cholesterol 58 g - Sodium 249 mg - Potassium 169 mg - Total Carbohydrate 34 g - Dietary Fiber 1 g - Sugars 20 g - Protein 4 g Vitamin A 56 % - Vitamin C 0 % - Calcium 7 % - Iron 6 %