Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Muffins

After the rain we had this week, the sun finally came out in time for the weekend. We wanted to soak up the rays before the next rain comes our way.

We spent the early part of the evening in Anaheim’s Garden Walk. It’s a few blocks from Disneyland and not too far way from our house.

A couple weeks ago, I was invited to a blog event to preview the new Ultra Luxe Cinemas. I couldn’t make it so when a Living Social deal came a few days after, I couldn’t pass up.

We were surprised to find the area empty. We figured since we were there early on Friday evening and it’s a holiday weekend, the empty place would make sense. There were plenty of colorful arts on the wall, most of them pay  homage to the city of Anaheim (history, Disney and etc.)

We walked around and checked out some restaurants that we want to come back to soon. Craved being outdoors because it was such a nice day outside.

We decide to watch the movie 50/50. We both liked the movie. It started out slow but picked up toward the end. You would think a movie like this would be sad, but it was mostly funny and a feel good movie over all. It’s a beautiful story.  There were some sad moments though, some tear jerker if you are a sensitive soul 😦

We enjoyed the movie in an almost empty theater. First dibs on the best seats.

After the movie, we had dinner at Black Angus Restaurant and had our usual fare.

**********************

This week marks the start of Fall baking season in my kitchen.

Well, baking season is all year long, but using Fall inspired ingredients has begun.

Recently we visited our friend Mary, who just gave birth to her second daughter. I wanted to bring her breakfast muffins that included plenty of oats. (I remember my sister eating oatmeal everyday after she gave birth and she said it helped with breastfeeding).

I also wanted to use pumpkin because tis’ the season for pumpkin and the beginning of the Fall baking season. I adapted the recipe from Julie’s blog. I added more oats (in the form of oat flour) and reduced the sweetness a tiny bit but substituting with dark brown sugar and stevia baking blend.

Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Muffins

Makes 12 muffins

Dry Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
• 3/4 cup oat flour (I grind old-fashion oatmeal in a coffee bean grinder)
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoon Stevia baking blend

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1 cup canned pumpkin
• 3/4 cup almond milk
• 1/3 cup canola oil

Add ins:

• 1 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds (pepitas)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line muffin tin with muffin cups
2. Combine dry ingredients in a large bowl.
3. In a medium size bowl, mix the wet ingredients together.
4. Pour the wet pumpkin mixture into flour mixture and stir until batter is thick and fully mixed . Do not overmix or the muffins will come out tough.
5. Fold in your mix-ins
6. Pour batter into muffin cups and bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

These muffins are moist so your batter consistency will be more on the wet side.

The oat flour and oatmeal gives these muffins great texture.

Have a great weekend and Happy Baking!!