Chocolate Muffin

These rich, moist chocolate muffins deliver deep cocoa flavor in every bite, making them the perfect treat for breakfast or an afternoon snack. With a tender crumb and intense chocolate taste, these chocolate muffins are surprisingly easy to make and require just basic pantry ingredients. You’ll have warm, bakery-quality muffins ready in under 30 minutes.

Recipe Details

Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 18 mins
Total Time: 28 mins
Servings: 12 muffins
Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

• 1¾ cups all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
• 2 tablespoons hot water

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease with butter.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and salt until no lumps remain.
3. Mix wet ingredients in a separate medium bowl. Whisk together oil, egg, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
4. Create the batter by pouring the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Stir gently with a wooden spoon just until combined—the batter should look slightly lumpy. Overmixing will result in tough muffins.
5. Add chocolate chips if using, folding them in with just 2-3 gentle strokes to distribute evenly throughout the batter.
6. Incorporate hot water by stirring it in last. This step helps bloom the cocoa and creates a more intense chocolate flavor.
7. Fill muffin cups about ⅔ full with batter, using an ice cream scoop or large spoon for even distribution.
8. Bake for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs attached. The tops should spring back lightly when touched.
9. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This prevents the muffins from falling apart while still warm.

Tips for Success

Don’t overmix the batter. Chocolate muffins should have a tender crumb, which comes from minimal mixing. Stop stirring as soon as you no longer see dry flour.

Use room temperature ingredients for the smoothest batter. Take your egg and milk out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.

Fill cups consistently to ensure even baking. An ice cream scoop makes this task much easier and creates uniform muffins.

Test for doneness carefully. Unlike regular muffins, chocolate muffins should have a few moist crumbs on the toothpick—completely clean means they’re overbaked.

Recipe Variations

Double Chocolate Muffins: Increase mini chocolate chips to ¾ cup and add 2 tablespoons of chocolate chips on top of each muffin before baking.

Mocha Muffins: Replace 2 tablespoons of milk with strong brewed coffee for a subtle coffee flavor that enhances the chocolate.

Chocolate Banana Muffins: Add ½ cup mashed ripe banana to the wet ingredients and reduce milk to ¾ cup.

Chocolate Orange Muffins: Add 1 tablespoon of orange zest to the dry ingredients for a bright citrus note.

Storage Instructions

Store chocolate muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap individual muffins in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months.

To refresh day-old muffins, warm them in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes or microwave for 15-20 seconds.

Nutritional Highlights

Each chocolate muffin provides approximately 220 calories and contains antioxidants from cocoa. Using whole milk adds protein and calcium, while the moderate sugar content makes these suitable for breakfast or snacking.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these chocolate muffins warm with a pat of butter, or enjoy them alongside your morning coffee. They pair beautifully with fresh berries or a glass of cold milk. For an indulgent dessert, split a muffin and serve with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.

These chocolate muffins prove that homemade doesn’t have to be complicated. With their rich flavor and perfect texture, they’re sure to become a household favorite. Try the variations to keep things interesting, and don’t forget to make extra—they disappear quickly!