Mini Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Pies

Individual pumpkin pies that you can eat with your hands! I love this pumpkin filling - it's right up there with my all-time top 3 fillings (in the pie category). The pumpkin mixture isn't overly sweet, and it boasts just the right amount of cinnamon to warm you from within. Know what else compliments pumpkin puree? Semi sweet chocolate! That's why each little pie gets its own share of morsels!

About the egg and egg white: I like adding 1 egg white to the filling for this pie. Why? It helps keep it light and fluffy!

Prep ahead friendly: Since pumpkin pie is great warm, room temperature or chilled, you can prepare these mini pies up to 2 days in advance. Bake as directed and cool to room temperature. Cover with plastic and refrigerate in the muffin pan for up to 2 days. Pull the pan from the refrigerator about 30 minutes before serving.

To whip or not to whip? I typically top my pumpkin pies with whipped cream, but I decided not to this time (because of the chocolate chips). Feel free to add whipped cream or non-dairy whipped topping if you want.

Mini Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Pies

2 (9-inch) refrigerated pie crusts
15-ounce can pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
1 1/2 cups milk (I used 2%)
1 large egg
1 large egg white
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Divide each pie crust into 4 equal pieces, making 8 equal pieces. Press the dough into the bottom and up the sides of 8 cups of a muffin pan. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the pumpkin puree, milk, egg, egg white, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Whisk until blended and smooth.
Spoon the mixture into the prepared pie crusts, filling each 3/4 full. Sprinkle the chocolate chips over top.
Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until a wooden pick comes out clean and the crust is golden brown.
Cool the pies in the pan, on a rack, for 10 minutes before serving.

Makes 8 mini pies