Excited for fall.

August is almost over, September will cool the temps down & that means Fall will be here soon. Autumn is my favorite season - love the temperature, the leaves changing colors, the festivals and the food! I love making pumpkin foods & baked goods - that cinnamon & nutmeg smell in the air, perfect. However, since it is still August, I found a recipe from Hershey's that reminds me of fall and will hold me over until then.

Chocolate Spiced Muffins

•  2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cocoa
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 cup molasses
• 3/4 cup hot water
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. nutmeg
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl; set aside.

In a medium bowl, mix molasses, hot water, melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.
Add eggs, stirring until blended.

Stir in dry ingredients, mix just until moistened. Stir in chocolate chips.

Fill each muffin cup about 2/3 full with batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes & move to wire rack. Cool completely or serve while slightly warm (you could also dust them with powdered sugar prior to serving). Enjoy!