Chocolate muffins

Chocolate Muffins – The Perfect Delight for the Chocoholics in Your Heart!

Who doesn’t love a soft and fragrant muffin, packed with chocolate? These chocolate muffins are not just a dessert, but an experience that will fill your senses with every bite. Whether you enjoy them for breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or as a dessert at a special dinner, these treats are always an excellent choice.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 20-25 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Number of servings: 16 muffins

The history of chocolate muffins is fascinating. Although their origins are often debated, they quickly became popular worldwide due to their versatility and ease of preparation. A good chocolate muffin is a real indulgence, and the recipe I will share with you is simple yet yields spectacular results.

Let’s get to work and discover how we can create these delights!

Ingredients

For the muffins:
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) cocoa (one packet of cocoa from Dr Oetker)
- 1 cup (240 ml) hot water
- 1 1/3 cups (175 grams) flour
- 1 packet baking powder
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the glaze:
- 120 grams milk chocolate
- 2/3 cup (150 grams) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 1/3 cups (160 grams) powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the cocoa mixture

1. In a medium bowl, mix the cocoa with the hot water. Make sure the cocoa is completely dissolved. Let the mixture cool to room temperature.

Step 2: Mixing the dry ingredients

2. In another bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt. This step is essential to avoid lumps and to achieve a light, airy texture in the muffins.

Step 3: Preparing the muffin batter

3. In a large bowl, cream the butter with the granulated sugar until you achieve a fluffy, light-colored mixture. This is when air is incorporated into the batter, making the muffins light and fluffy.

4. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Once all the eggs are incorporated, add the vanilla extract and mix to combine the flavors.

5. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, gently mixing just until the ingredients are combined. Do not overmix, as this can lead to dense muffins.

6. Finally, add the cocoa mixture, making sure it is well integrated. Your batter is now ready!

Step 4: Baking the muffins

7. Preheat your oven to 190 degrees Celsius. Prepare a muffin tray by placing cupcake liners in each cup.

8. Fill each cup about 2/3 full with the muffin batter. This will allow the muffins to rise beautifully without overflowing.

9. Bake the muffins for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

10. Once baked, let them cool for a few minutes in the pan, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 5: Preparing the chocolate glaze

11. In a heatproof bowl, melt the milk chocolate over a double boiler or in the microwave, being careful not to burn it. Let it cool slightly.

12. In another bowl, cream the butter with the powdered sugar until creamy. Add the melted chocolate and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed at first, then increase the speed until you achieve a smooth and glossy glaze.

Step 6: Glazing the muffins

13. Use a spatula or knife to spread the chocolate glaze over each muffin. Feel free to get creative and decorate with grated chocolate or chopped nuts if desired.

Chef's Tip

To make these chocolate muffins even more flavorful, you can add chocolate chips to the batter before baking or replace some of the flour with almond flour for a different texture.

Calories and Nutritional Benefits

Each muffin has approximately 250 calories, making it an indulgent yet flavorful dessert. While they may not be the healthiest option, butter and chocolate provide healthy fats and antioxidants. So, enjoy them in moderation!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use unsweetened cocoa?
Yes, you can use unsweetened cocoa, but you will need to adjust the sugar amount in the recipe since unsweetened cocoa is more bitter.

2. How can I keep the muffins fresh?
Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can freeze them for longer storage.

3. Can I replace butter with oil?
Yes, you can replace butter with sunflower or coconut oil. You will get a slightly different result, but still delicious.

Serving Suggestions

These chocolate muffins are delightful served warm, alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or with a cup of aromatic coffee. They also pair perfectly with a hot fruit tea!

So, I invite you to try this simple recipe and enjoy every bite. Whether you make them for yourself or for loved ones, these chocolate muffins will bring smiles and much joy!