Chocolate muffins

Enjoy an unforgettable culinary experience with these chocolate muffins, a simple yet incredibly delicious dessert, perfect for any time of the day. Whether you crave a sweet snack for breakfast or a savory dessert in the afternoon, these muffins are the ideal choice.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 15-20 minutes
Number of servings: 12 muffins

Ingredients needed:

For the muffins:
- 250 g flour
- 150 g sugar
- 6 g baking powder (about half a packet)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 200 ml milk (preferably warm)
- 110 g melted margarine (or butter, for a richer taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of one orange (optional, but recommended for extra flavor)
- 2 tablespoons chocolate chips or chopped chocolate

For the glaze (optional):
- 3 tablespoons cocoa
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 tablespoon water
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar

Preparation steps:

1. Preparing the oven and the tray: Start by preheating the oven to 190°C. This is the perfect time to arrange your muffin cups. You can use paper or silicone molds, but don’t forget to grease them with a little oil to prevent sticking.

2. Mixing the dry ingredients: In a deep bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Use a spoon or whisk to mix the dry ingredients. This is an essential step as it ensures an even distribution of the baking powder, which will help the muffins rise evenly.

3. Mixing the wet ingredients: In another bowl, beat the egg and add the warm milk, melted margarine, vanilla extract, and orange zest. Mix well with a whisk to combine the ingredients. It’s important that the milk is warm, as this helps activate the baking powder.

4. Combining the ingredients: Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients. Use a spatula or spoon to gently mix until the ingredients are well combined. Be careful not to overmix; it’s normal for the batter to have small lumps.

5. Adding the chocolate: Now is the time to add the chocolate chips or chopped chocolate. Gently fold them into the batter to avoid breaking them.

6. Filling the molds: Using a spoon, pour about 3 tablespoons of batter into each muffin mold, leaving a little space for them to expand while baking.

7. Baking: Place the muffins in the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; if it comes out clean, the muffins are ready. If there’s sticky batter on the toothpick, leave them for a few more minutes.

8. Preparing the glaze (optional): While the muffins are baking, you can prepare the glaze. In a small saucepan, combine cocoa, oil, water, and brown sugar. Mix well and heat over low, stirring continuously, until the mixture begins to boil. Once it becomes smooth, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly.

9. Serving: Once the muffins have cooled slightly, you can glaze them with the cocoa mixture using a spoon or spatula. Allow the glaze to set before serving.

Helpful tips:

- Variations: You can experiment with various add-ins such as chopped nuts, raisins, or other types of chocolate (like white chocolate, for example) to add a personal touch to your recipe.
- Serving: These muffins are delicious both warm and cold. You can serve them alongside a cup of freshly brewed coffee or tea to create a pleasant relaxing atmosphere.
- Storage: If you have leftover muffins, you can keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. For a longer duration, you can freeze them.

Nutritional benefits:

These muffins contain simple yet nutritious ingredients. Flour provides carbohydrates for energy, milk and eggs bring essential proteins, and chocolate offers antioxidants. Adding orange zest not only enhances the flavor but also provides vitamin C.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, you can substitute white flour with whole wheat flour, but you may need to adjust the liquid amount to achieve the desired consistency.

2. Can I replace margarine with butter?
Absolutely! Butter will provide a richer taste, but make sure it is melted before adding it.

3. What can I do to make the muffins less sweet?
You can reduce the sugar amount by 25% without significantly affecting the texture or taste.

4. How can I tell if the muffins are baked?
Use the toothpick method: insert a toothpick in the center of one; if it comes out clean, they are ready!

In conclusion, these chocolate muffins are not only a simple recipe but also a true delight that will bring smiles to the faces of your loved ones. Enjoy them with pleasure and savor every bite!