Do you like gingerbread? Do you like pumpkin? Well these vegan pumpkin gingerbread muffins are the perfect combination of the two. Who knew pumpkin and gingerbread could taste this good! Fluffy and super moist, these muffins are delicious. I know it’s after Christmas, but gingerbread and pumpkin are good all winter long. These muffins make your house smell so cozy while they are baking in the oven. All you’ll want to do is curl up next to a fire and eat one of these. They are perfectly spiced and the best for winter baking!

Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

1 tbsp chia seeds
3 tbsp warm water
1 cup unsweetened pumpkin puree
1/3 cup grapeseed oil or melted coconut oil**
3 tbsp pure maple syrup
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup blackstrap molasses

Dry Ingredients

1 2/3 cups whole wheat pastry flour or all-purpose flour (GF: whole-grain spelt flour)
1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp fine sea salt
Raw pepita seeds to sprinkle on top or chopped walnuts

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a muffin pan with paper liners.
In a mug or small bowl, whisk together the chia seeds and water. Set aside for a few minutes to thicken. (can also use a flax egg)
In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt).
In a medium bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients until smooth (chia mixture, pumpkin puree, oil, maple syrup, brown sugar, and molasses).
Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. No patches of flour should remain. Be sure not to overmix. If using, stir in the chopped walnuts.
Divide the batter equally between the 12 muffin liners. They should be about 3/4 full or a bit more. Sprinkle pepita seeds or chopped walnuts on top and gently press down.
Bake the muffins for 20-24 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool the muffins in the pan for 5-10 minutes, and then transfer each muffin onto a cooling rack until completely cool.
** If using melted coconut oil, make sure that the rest of the wet ingredients are all at room temperature (do not use refrigerated pumpkin, maple syrup, etc. as they will harden the coconut oil).
(Recipe adapted from Oh She Glows)

Servings: 12 muffins

Author: valeria.chao

Pumpkin Gingerbread Muffins