It’s Friday! 
That alone is reason enough to smile, especially since I spent the last two days thinking it was already Friday. I know, right? Trying to shorten the week even thought it was already a shorter week. Oi. But it’s been a little bit of a crazy one, so I guess I’m looking forward to the weekend more than I thought. But I digress.
I usually like to post recipes on Mondays to kind of help start the week off on a good note, but I promised to have a recipe for you guys by the end of the week, so we’re going to end things on a good note this time around. Besides, these are just too good to withhold for another couple of days, and maybe you can even give ‘em a try if you find yourself with a little bit of downtime this weekend. So what exactly are these? These…
Spiced pumpkin muffins topped with a decadent chocolate streusel…
… and filled with a creamy chocolate fudge…
But not just any chocolate fudge – healthy chocolate fudge. I was originally going to go with a maple cream cheese filling, but I didn’t have any on hand. Then I thought about just tossing in some chocolate chips, but I feel like that’s been done to death. Finally, I decided on chocolate fudge – which may also have been done to death, but I’m doing it myyyyyyyyy way (name that song)… with dates, cocoa powder, and milk. Yup, that’s all.
And the conglomeration of these three elements? Out.of.this.world. Think a pillowy soft, warmly spiced pumpkin muffin surrounding a creamy chocolate interior. The muffin itself is moist, light, and subtly sweet – a picture of innocence just begging to have a little fun. Enter a deviant chocolate streusel topping that not only adds an extra hint of sweetness and flavour, but a slight crunch that’s a delight for the senses. You can, of course, choose to leave out the chocolate filling or streusel and still be left with a delicious muffin, but I wouldn’t recommend it…
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup pitted dates
- 2 Tbsp. milk (any kind will do)
- 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 Tbsp. flour
- 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
- 3 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 1.5 Tbsp. butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp. ground ginger
- 1/2 cup milk (any kind will do)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 Tbsp. butter, melted
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Tip: it helps if you soak your dates beforehand to make them easier to blend.
- Combine flour, cocoa powder, and brown sugar. Add melted butter and mix until crumbly.
- Preheat oven to 350ºF and lightly oil a muffin tray, or line it with 12 paper/silicone liners.
- In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Set aside.
- In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the milk and sugar. Add the egg, butter, and vanilla. Stir in canned pumpkin and mix well until fully combined.
- Pour wet ingredients into dry and stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix.
- With a spoon, spoon batter into muffin tins until about 1/3 way full. Add 1 tsp. chocolate filling to each tin, and cover with more muffin batter until tins are about 2/3 full. Finish by sprinkling a generous amount of streusel topping onto each tin.
- Bake muffins for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. When finished, allow to cool for about 5 minutes before removing them from the muffin tin and allowing to cool completely on a wire rack.
Confession… Two of these muffins didn’t survive the photoshoot. I could blame a hectic day, the fact that I was hungry and putting off dinner so that I would have enough natural light to shoot in, or the fact that I needed to free up some space in my work area because my photos were looking a little crowded, but the truth of the matter is that these muffins are just plain delicious.
As an added bonus they’re also pretty healthy. If you leave out the streusel, you’re only dealing with 1/2 cup of sugar and 2 Tbsp. of butter for the entire recipe. And the best part? You’d never be able to tell. But do yourself a favour and don’t leave it out… It’s Friday and we all deserve to have a little fun
. – . – . – .
What’s your favourite kind of muffin?
Do you snack while making dinner or standing around the kitchen counter? I know they say you’re not “supposed” to, but it’s impossible to avoid!
{ 81 comments… read them below or add one }
OMG. I. WANT. THESE. NOW. and yes “these” meaning i want not just one but 2, maybe 2 1/2… i have a feeling these muffins would be one of those things i have no self control around. that date/chocolate filling sounds amazing with the pumpkin muffin! and this has to be one of my favorite descriptions for a food ever: “…a picture of innocence just begging to have a little fun. Enter a deviant chocolate streusel topping…” hahaha love it. have a great weekend girlie!
Charlotte @ Commitness to Fitness recently posted..I Yield To Runners
The chocolate sauce alone is worth making. I’m already trying to come up with other things I can stuff with it… besides my face
Chocolate AND pumpkin…my idea of heaven.
What a fantastic recipe! I can’t wait to try it!
Kelsey @ Ramblings of Change recently posted..Getting the Knots Out.
Damn those muffins look out of this world delicious! I am a pumpkin addict so I better try these out!!!
I like making my oatmeal/banana/blueberry muffins!!! They are super delicious.
But, if I had to go with a regular, bakery bought muffin, it would probably be either a warmed up bran muffin or chocolate chip (topped with a good amount of butter!).
I always snack in the kitchen. Ha. #ihaveaproblem
Love the recipe!
Have a FANTASTIC Friday!
Natasha recently posted..WIAW: Snack Attack
Confession: I think one of my favourite muffins may be cinnamon bran. I just don’t tell anyone because I already have enough grandma-like tendencies
You are a genius! These muffins look amazing and I would never think the chocolate center had dates in it! These are the top of my must make list. Can’t wait to try them out
Danielle recently posted..How I Learned About Nutrition
Okay…. my beet muffins from yesterday don’t stand a chance! My kiddos are going to love these and your photos are beautiful!
Happy Friday love! And what better than a tasty treat to start the weekend off right.
You know I’d be all over these since I love pumpkin. Definitely need to try these out, I especially love that they have a streusel topping!
Oh and I tried your protein bars yesterday! SO good!
Lisa recently posted..My Mantra Lately
Want! I’m sure they’re great because your pumpkin bread was so darn good. My fav treat are the pumpkin choc chip muffins at my local health food store. Though I’m not saying the muffins are “healthy” – I am saying they’re friggin delicious.
Tiff @ Love Sweat and Beers recently posted..Nursery Reveal
But friggin delicious translates to healthy! It’s all about the mental health
Chocolate Streusel? Amanda, I love you. You are a beautiful genius. Omgggggg.
Carly @ Snack Therapy recently posted..“HLB” to Me
I literally JUST finished breakfast. It was a really good one, too–greek yogurt bowl with mangoes and Justin’s almond butter. Like, so good that it was fantastic. And then I looked at the pictures of your post and suddenly it seems so boring and unsatisfying because these muffins look and sound absolutely decadent.
…so now, until I have easy access to a kitchen (our dorm kitchen is being renovated and won’t be functional for a while), I will be on the hunt for anything that compares to these. Although that’s probably a useless hunt, considering these look out of this world.
Beth @ Mangoes and Miles recently posted..An Unplanned Rest Day…from Life
So, do you think you could somehow magically send one, two or maybe ten over to me right now!?!
They look seriously amazing! I love that they’re on the healthy side and that they’re easy to put together. Muffins happen to be a favorite thing of mine in general, but I don’t really make them all that often (not really sure why). I love blueberry, pumpkin and corn muffins the best!
Have a great weekend Amanda!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat recently posted..An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away!?!
I have the same weird problem with loving things but not making them often… And then when I finally do, I’m usually kicking myself and wondering what the heck took me so long.
Hooray for everything pumpkin this month! I love pumpkin overload
As for my favorite type of muffin, I love when they have blueberries or raspberries in them.
Ashley @ Life and Fitness recently posted..Push Up Bars
I’m not gonna lie- along with PSL, I never got on board with canned pumpkin. I know I know, what kind of HLB am I! However canned pumpkin in muffin form? I think I can handle that! Throw in chocolate in some form and I’m ALL over it….mmm I’m loving that filling! I have baking on the agenda for tomorrow morning and you’ve gotten me all excited. It might be presumptuous of me but I’m almost certain that bites here and there will be had during- someone has to take care of quality control
!
I will never hesitate to make any of your recipes because I just made the vanilla almond protein bars and oh.my.god. Yeah basically that whole pan is gone and I made them two days ago! In fact, I’m eating one right now for breakfast with my coffee and it’s wonderful. These look amazing!
Alex @ Kenzie Life recently posted..How To Keep From Relapsing In Your Eating Disorder When Life Gets Stressful
You beat me! I somehow managed to make mine last for 2.5 days but I’m honestly not sure how. Glad you liked ‘em
Anything with filling is where it’s at! Thanks for sharing
Elizabeth@myneonrunningshoes recently posted..Fall Facts Friday
So perfect. I want to make these now. I love chocolate and pumpkin. The first time I ever tried it I was skeptical, but then I made Chocolate Covered Katie’s chocolate pumpkin pie and it was SOOOO good. A huge hit with my fam!
Ang @ Nutty for Life recently posted..Friday Favorites
Wow! These look amazing! Love the chocolate, date filling in the middle!
Giselle@myhealthyhappyhome recently posted..Quick and Random Friday
These look awesome Amanda! I love the healthy chocolate filling. You’re so resourceful.
Pumpkin muffins are definitely up there as my favorite but I also love chocolate chip!
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health recently posted..Almond Joy Cookies {gluten-free & dairy-free}
Uhh YES! I love anything filled with healthy, sweet stuff. And anything with streusel. Especially if there’s pumpkin involved. I’ve got these babies bookmarked! Thanks for sharing
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves recently posted..Fascinating Friday Links #3
SO many people posting pumpkin spiced this or that! I’m in heaven!
Thank you so much for this recipe. I’m trying to limit my Starbucks PSL consumption this year but it’s just soooo tasty.
Samantha @ 10,000 Squats recently posted..Week 6: Girl on Fire
It’s hard not to get excited with all the pumpkin love going around! Plus it’s an easy (and tasty) way to keep that “glow” through the winter
Ok, seriously? You are pinning down my sweet tooth cravings to a T! I think you should send me any leftovers
xoxo
Alysia @ Slim Sanity recently posted..Blog Tip Friday: Helpful Links 7
Ohmigosh thank you for inspiring me to get my lazy butt out of bed today and bake these heavenly little muffins. Yay pumpkin!! Have a great weekend !
These look incredible, Amanda! I feel like Labor Day came and BOOM -pumpkin is absolutely everywhere….but your recipe might be the first to get me to cave before October!
Alisha @ Alisha’s Appetite recently posted..Get To Know Me (Sunshine Award)
I try and make myself hold off until at least labour day long weekend, but longer than that is asking for too much. It’s hard not to jump on board with all the pumpkin love everywhere!
Those look delicious! I’m a chocolate muffin fan but chocolate, pumpkin!? Hello maybe new favorite!
Ashley @ Eat Run Live Happy recently posted..Just call me a Cookie!
Mmmm I can never get enough pumpkin! These look great!
And seriously, how can you NOT snack while cooking/baking?! It’s part of the fun!
Ashley @ My Food N Fitness Diaries recently posted..Thoughts on Blogging
Oh right, thanks for pointing out that I’m actually just trying to free some space when eating some of whatever I’ve baked right when it’s finished.
. Oh, and I never had any pumpkin baked good before – we can’t even get canned pumpkin over here and my blender doesn’t work well enough to ensure a smooth homemade – so you’d help me expand my culinairy horizon 
.
As a good blend I feel your pain of needing yet more space so … simply mail me any of those little muffins leftover. I’m really being all selfless and only trying to help here, obviously
Does anybody NOT snack while preparing their meals? It’s so hard to believe. Though I know my mum hardly ever has tastes the batter of baked goods before they go into the oven simply trusting the recipe or her intuition. For me, that’d take half the fun out of baking.
Happy Friday and I hope you’re having a great weekend ahead!
Miss Polkadot recently posted..Going for the goals [September]
The only way I can keep myself from indulging in snacking while baking is if there’s raw eggs in whatever I’m making. But even then, I’m grabbing small nibbles of chocolate chips here or little spoonfuls of brown sugar there… Gotta make sure the ingredients going in are good quality, right?
oh wow… so perfect for this fall weather coming our way!! I can’t wait to get into the kitchen and get my bake on! Chocolate streusel topping!? Devilsh!
I always snack when I’m preparing food. I can’t help it, it’s a habit but oh well!
Maria @ Pappa Don’t Preach recently posted..Little Miss Sunshine
Chocolate Chip, chocolate, pumpkin, and cinnamon are my favorite types of muffins! I’ll be adding these to my long list of things to bake, but I haven’t seen pumpkin muffins with chocolate so I’m really excited to try these. I typically do snack before dinner or any meal…I just don’t like feeling hungry!
Sky @ The Blonde In Black recently posted..Friday Faves: Back-To-College Basics
I stopped reading at “with dates, cocoa powder, and milk”…I cannot read this whole post – my tastebuds cannot take it…
Oh my – I think am a glutton for punishment..
read the rest…
You know that tingly, painful feeling when your tastebuds on the sides of your mouth amp up the saliva production…yup – thats what am feeling….these muffins sound amazing! the dates with chocolate filling – BRILLIANT!!! The chocolate streusal topping – good gawsh!!!!
I have had pumpking chocolate muffins before but they were never “healthy” so I was ok with having just one – I don’t think I could control myself around these though!
My all time fav muffin would be a peanut butter/chocolate combo – and I do ADORE snacking! I think it should be a job function! But I don’t do it when I cook – if I became a chef I would loose 20 lbs I bet
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
I do know that feeling, and it is indeed very painful. Only one way to make it go away
Hope your Friday is going amazing so far, Shashi <3
Mmm, I may not be the biggest pumpkin fan, but throw in that chocolate streusel AND that chocolate fudge and I’m sold! Chocolate + pumpkin is actually quite the delicious duo. And these muffins just look so soft and fluffy. As in, I wouldn’t mind have one right now
I think my favorite muffin tends to be lemon poppyseed. Or maybe a blueberry lemon zest muffin.
kris recently posted..review + giveaway: kodiak cakes
You are seriously killing me with your recipes. I still have to make your protein bars and now you post THESE. Killin’ me, Amanda!
I constantly taste everything I make unless it’s for other people. Then, the leftovers are for me. (Helllllooooo, beaters!)
One thing I love about these is the fact they have butter in them but it’s not a lot. For so long I tried to convince myself recipes don’t need oil or butter but they just do. They just do. Lol
Yum! You are popping out one delicious recipe after another recently. Go Amanda
!
Ksenija @ Health Ninja recently posted..Turkey Meatball Soup {light and easy dinner}
you can post your delicious recipes here anytime! YUM!! i am gonna try it with GF flour of course
lindsay recently posted..Friday Foods and a Lesson in Life Interruptions
Oooo I’m curious to know how they’d work out with GF flour! Let me know if you do end up trying them
Hellooooo, fabulous fall treat. Great muffins!
I’m ALWAYS snacking, lol, and I mean always. I think I have a problem. My favorite muffin of all time is blueberry but I also love a good zucchini bread or muffin and pumpkin of course!
sara @ fitcupcaker recently posted..Oatmeal PB Chocolate Chip Protein Cookie For One!
Absolutely snack while cooking – it is a terrible habit – not because I eat too much of anything terrible but, for example, I end up eating all the roasting vegetables while they are cooking.
meredith recently posted..Shaking It Up
I feel you on that one… at least 1/2 of my dinners don’t usually make it to my plate.
YUM! I bet that streusel would be good on ANYTHING ! Like oatmeal, pumpkin BREAD, etc…mmm
I have got to find a way to make these GF!!!
Brittany @ Delights and Delectables recently posted..Friday Things and Vegan Cuts Review
So, these sounded awesome last night, but now with pictures?! Want. Like immediately. I love how you used dates to make a fudge filling, that’s awesome.
Favourite kind of muffin? Morning Glory. Which basically means that I can’t decide what my favourite kind of muffin is, so I pick one that literally has everything in it – shredded carrot, nuts or seeds, raisins, apple, coconut…you basically just can’t lose. Hope your weekend is off to a fabulous start! <3
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted..Five Things Friday 09/06/13.
But does it have… chocolate?
You had me at chocolate streusel.
And conglomeration, because no one EVER uses that word and it’s such a cool word!
Anyway. These look so stinkin’ good. I have a can of pumpkin sitting in my pantry and now I know what to do with it. Hopefully I’ll find the time to make these soon. Thanks for the recipe!
Olivia @ Liv Lives Life recently posted..Awa’ tae Scootlund!
Well these look simply fabulous! I may have to use that chocolate filling in some other muffin recipes I’ve found just to jazz them up! Chocolate filling makes anything better
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! recently posted..Lend a {Healthy} Hand #30
Chocolate healthy muffins?! Count me in. I’m down with the pumpkin spice too. Bring on fall!!!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted..Bourbon Chocolate Chip Cookies
Um, what?
I think I just died.
Come bake for me. PLEASE.
Emily recently posted..a (re)discovery
Deal <3
You take amazing photos
Liz @ The Girl on Fire Now recently posted..Looking Forward to Hills
Because pumpkin spice was not enough you had to stuff them with chocolate!! Have I ever told you that I loved you? Because I seriously do. These are awesome.
Davida @ The Healthy Maven recently posted..Friday Fitness: 5 Tips to Getting Active
I’m already feeling overwhelmed (in a good way) about the amount of pumpkin I’m going to need to buy the next time I hit up the grocery store. So many good pumpkin recipes have popped up and I love it!
Dana @ Dana’s B.S. recently posted..Spicy Pepper Soup w/ Corn & Black Beans
Your recipes have been on point lately! LOVE the sound of these. I basically only eat muffins if they’re homemade. Store bought or coffee shop muffins usually leave something to be desired for me. One of my favorite muffin recipes is a pumpkin chocolate chip one but I may have to switch things up and try out that delicious chocolate fudge.
Angela @ Health’s Angel recently posted..July Fun
You can never go wrong with pumpkin and chocolate – no matter what form it comes in
I knew I could count on you for my pumpkin fix. Im still horribly addicted to your pumpkin chocolate chip bread from last year
THAT will most definitely be in my oven as soon as these temps drop, as will these little beauties!
Kat recently posted..Fitness Thursday: Conquering Goals
What’s my favorite kind of muffin? THESE ARE MY FAVORITE KIND OF MUFFINS!!!! Seriously, I used to live off the pumpkin spice cream cheese muffins at Starbucks when I was in college…I mean LIVE!! I would have loved them with the maple cream cheese, but this m’dear is a stroke of pure pumpkin (haha, get it?) GENIUS!!! Gah! <- there are just not any words!!!
If dinner takes any longer than 10 minutes to make, yeah, I'm a definite snacker…which is why I guess I've been eating so many sandwiches lately…it's QUICK!
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli recently posted..My Big Fat GREEK Breakfast
I don’t know whats been in your drinking water lately, but these recipe creations are damn dangerous! Actually, it must be the teabag in the coffee trick you have. I’m going to test this theory out and see what creations I come up with
Why after I swear off eating pumpkin for this year you come up with this? Time to bust out the emergency can!
I always snack while making dinner which can end up being not hungry for the actual meal. Such is life!
Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted..Protein Pancake three ways
Swear off eating pumpkin!? Why would you do something like that?!
Ah these look so good! Love pumpkin and LOVE stuffed muffins, they take it to a whole other level. Can’t wait to try these out after much success with your almond fudge bars
Christina @ Pinch of Healthy recently posted..Panko Crusted Tofu
WOW! These look incredible!! I can’t wait to try this recipe. Happy Friday to you!!!!!
Hali recently posted..Bittersweet banana bonbons
Yessss a pumpkin recipe – it is officially pumpkin season!
These look awesome – chocolate and pumpkin is such an unbeatable combination. Pumpkin muffins are definitely one of my favourites, but I also love raisin bran or banana muffins too.
Chelsea @ Chelsea’s Healthy Kitchen recently posted..Cookbook review: Veganomicon
I’m pretty sure the chocolate pumpkin combo is what made me fall back in love with pumpkin after I kind of burnt out on it… And bran muffins are probably one of my favourites… I just don’t tell because I have enough grandma tendencies
I only really discovered pumpkin last year (on a visit to the US), so I’m looking forwards to making loads of great recipes this year
Rachel Cotterill recently posted..Infusing Cranberry Gin
Oh man, send ‘em my way Amanda! I’m so craving these right now but not enough time or strength (or ingredients) to make them. But I think I’ll definitely make some 1-serving treat right now thanks to you, hehe. Good job by the way!
Ellie@Fit for the soul recently posted..Korean Potato Side Dish {Gamja Jorim}
Hah I’m not sure if you noticed but I published my Five Facts on Friday Post on Thursday…so I obviously understand how you feel.
I have to say I am not too happy about all these pumpkin recipes popping up already since I am still convinced it is the middle of summer (and the weather here agrees) but I certainly cannot argue with healthy chocolate fudge…
Gina @ Health, Love, and Chocolate recently posted..Five Facts on Friday
Wow, the chocolate strudel looks amazing. I love the idea of a little crunch on top. I will most definitely not be skipping that part.
Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets recently posted..Week In Review: The Chillax Edition
I saw you post about these on Twitter yesterday and was looking forward to getting to your actual post and drooling over all these incredible photos. I am definitely going to be trying these out soon, they look so tasty!
Sarah @ Feeeding the Brain and Body recently posted..WIAW with topping talk and marmite dip
Woah these look sensational! I wonder how these would be with banana instead of pumpkin; I’ve never come across canned pumpkin. I’m a big muffin lover. . . choc chip, carrot and most recently APPLE CRUMBLE at a coffee shop which blew me away
. On a totally unrelated note almond butter has finally arrived on my shores (cue happy dance). And while I was contented with my regular stash of peanut, macadamia and cashew the recent love, ahem, that almond butter has been getting has made me feel all sorts of left out. When I spotted it yesterday I definitely squealed out loud only to gasp in shock at the hefty price tag! I *almost* didn’t take it :p . .
my trial run was with b/berry jam on oats last night, and then again this morning on my yoghurt bowl (weetbix, applesauce, banana) SWOOOON. I am in love. Aaand I’ve rambled. . .
Seeing as I love all things banana bread, I would imagine replacing the pumpkin with banana would taste amazing! And you could probably even cut down on the sugar a bit since bananas are a lot sweeter than pumpkin.
I always..ALWAYS test my product before snapping photos. I need fuel for one, and if they don’t taste good I NEVER share..even if they look pretty. These treats..LOOK AMAZING. I will take your word that they were delicious, eating two must mean they hit the spot. OHH FALL BAKING I LOVE IT!
Brittany recently posted..Garden Fresh
Oh yes, a chocolate filled muffin? I hear you’re bringing these to HLS… I’ll give you my room number if you drop off a few dozen
Becky @ Olives n Wine recently posted..Weekend Update + Weekly Meal Plan
Chocolate streusel?! That’s absolutely, incredibly genius! Hmm. And I love stuffing sweet stuff inside baked goods. These look amazing Amanda
Eating 4 Balance recently posted..A Buzzworthy Recipe
These look amazing!!! I’m totally making them tonight
Corinne @ body got soul recently posted..Meatless Monday – Vegetarian Ob Gusht
LAWD HAVE MERCY!!!!!
These. THESE are my favourite muffins. And I haven’t even tried them yet. Forwarding to my mom STAT. She asked me what kind of cake I want for my belated birthday part this upcoming weekend. Ain’t nobody got time for cake. I want pumpkin chocolate streusel soft pillowy fudge-filled muffins instead!!
Christina @ the athletarian recently posted..PLAN B
{ 7 trackbacks }