Thursday, October 30, 2008

Halloween-- Pumpkin Chocolate Treats

halloween cupcake

Are you ready for the sugar-rush that will come upon us on Friday? My little clan includes: a witch, twins posing as each other, and a little boy who turned into a venus flytrap.
I've never noticed that sugar had an effect on my children, although some of my friends might disagree. I prefer to stay delusional on Halloween night and let them have some fun.

I moved from France to California with my family when I was ten. It was the week before Halloween. Although I did not speak English yet, I quickly learned how to say: "trick or treat". I remember that night vividly in all its magic. People made their own costumes back then--no, it wasn't that long ago. The neighbors all knew each other and welcomed you with candies and smiles.

This year, we're getting together with some friends for a casual dinner and the usual Halloween festivities. I hope your Halloween is merry and magical.

halloween lonely cupcake

For this recipe, I was inspired by the Pumpkin Chocolate Chunk Bars I saw on Eggs on Sunday. I decided to make them with olive oil instead of butter. I know it sounds strange, but olive oil is wonderful at mimicking the richness of butter while blending into your baked-goods. I also altered the recipe to make it gluten-free. Instead of making them into bars, I decided to pour the cake batter into individual cups to make it easier for the kids at my son's Halloween party.

Halloween treats



Pumpkin Chocolate Treats (makes 12)
These treats are more like a cake than a muffin. They are incredibly moist and delicious.

1/2 cup olive oil
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1 tsp GF vanilla extract
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup brown rice flour
1/4 cup tapioca starch
1/4 cup sorghum flour
1/4 tsp xantham gum
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1/4 cup GF chocolate chips

Orange decorative sugar (optional/I use an all natural product)

Preheat oven 375F
Prepare muffin pan, and paper liners.

Mix all the dry ingredients, except for the chocolate chips, in a bowl.
Place the olive oil and sugar in a mixer and combine until smooth and fluffy (3 minutes).
Add egg and vanilla to sugar mixture and mix some more.
Add Pumpkin puree and stir until evenly distributed.
Little by little add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until batter is well comined. Add chocolate chips. Distribute the batter evenly into the muffin cups. Sprinkle a little bit of the orange sugar on top of each muffin and bake for 20 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean when inserted in the center of muffin. Let cool.


halloween treats inside look

And because it's Halloween tomorrow, here are some more treats...

GF Cranberry Pistachio Mexican Wedding Cookies
Cardamom Dark Chocolate Cookies

25 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

YYYYYum!!! And I love the festive cupcake liners :0)

Stacey Snacks said...

Oh, it must be Thursday, Alexa has a post! (I know the new rules, Tues. and Thurs!).
I had no idea you were French.
You know I love Paris and visit every year.
Where did you get those wonderful cupcake liners?
Nice sweets! Happy Halloween!

vb said...

I use olive oil in my muffins and cornbread and I love the way it turns out. These look delicious!

Susan @ SGCC said...

These look fantastic! I've never baked sweets with olive oil before, but I must try it.

Mary Ann said...

Yummy! These look so good and I am sure that they were a huge hit at the party! Sounds like you are going to have your hands full with all your little costumed critters! I got some quinoa the other day and I am dying to make your yummy spaghetti squash dish. I can't wait!

Robin said...

Alexa what a great combination or chocolate and pumpkin. I like them as cupcakes too- gotta have a cupcake! Have a fun weekend!

rachel said...

I love any holiday that makes candy the centerpiece of it's celebration! Cupcakes look awesome

Anonymous said...

Yum! Those laughing pumpkins are super-cute.
And hey, I've passed on an awrd to you over at my blog...thanks for all the inspiration!

Jeanine - The Baking Beauties said...

Yum! I know this will turn out great, the flour combination works really well for spicy muffins (or chocolate, for that matter). I may have to whip up a batch today, I think I have some pumpkin that needs to be used yet. Thanks! :)

RecipeGirl said...

Lots of healthy ingredients in that cake... looks delicious.

Have a happy and fun Halloween!

Deeba PAB said...

Love them cupcakes...& the memories of 10 year old you Alexa. These are lovely...& olive oil makes it even better!

Yasmeen said...

Scrumptious gluten free cupcakes!
Happy trick or treating!

Maureen "Hold The Gluten" said...

Happy Halloween!! Just stumbled upon your blog -- it's fabulous! I made a similar gluten free pumpkin muffin with mini cinnamon chips. Yours look delicious :) Love the pics!

Sophie said...

Happy Halloween to you too :). These sound so tasty. I like the idea of a muffin over a bar because they're easier to pack :).

Elizabeth said...

Your cupcakes look wonderful. I love the picture with them all on the plate that shows all the cute little pumpkin sticks you added. :) kudos!

Anonymous said...

Hi Alexa,

Sorry I have been MIA to your site. Your food just looks tremendous (love the pizzas!!!). I had no idea you were French, truly one of my favorite places.

Regards,

Marc

Dewi said...

Goodness me, That pumpkin treat look so beautiful, and moist too.

I didn't know that you were living in French before. Do you still remember how to speak French?
Cheers.

Alexa said...

Stacey,

I got the liners at Target. Sorry it took me so long to answer you. I have been busy with family activities. :)

Anonymous said...

Looks fabulous and what a great blog. Glad I found you. jamie

Anonymous said...

I would have never thought of substituting olive oil for butter. But, I bet that would work great. I love visiting other food blogs to see what new there is to learn. Unlike an old dog, an old cook can learn something new. Your pumpkin chocolate treats look great.

Anonymous said...

I'M DROOLLINNNGG!

Clumbsy Cookie said...

Holy moistiness! They look soooo good I really like they orange color!

Usha said...

Oooo yummy, these look absolutely delightful....there is an award waiting for you at my blog,please check it out :-)

test it comm said...

Pumpkin muffins with chocolate sounds good! They look really moist!

Ramya Vijaykumar said...

Oh my god, look at the fluffy inside of the cakes... The Orange chunks look great...

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