Chocolate chip muffins are a classic, comfort treat that everyone loves. This delivers irresistibly moist and flavorful muffins with a subtle hint of cinnamon that enhances the chocolate. Follow these detailed instructions to make bakery-quality muffins at home.
Ingredients You Will Need
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon of baking powder
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- 1/8 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1 12 oz bag of milk chocolate chips
- 2/3 cup of whole milk
- ½ cup of melted unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons of sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
First, preheat your oven to 400°F (approximately 200°C). Promptly setting this up ensures the oven is at the right temperature when the muffins are ready to bake. Prepare your muffin tin by lining it with paper liners or lightly spraying with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking once baked.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, start by combining your dry ingredients—2 cups of flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon. The cinnamon is a subtle but important addition that enhances the chocolate flavor, making it richer without overwhelming the taste.
Gently whisk the dry ingredients together until evenly mixed. This ensures the baking powder and spices are distributed uniformly throughout the flour base.
Step 3: Coat the Chocolate Chips
Take the 12 oz bag of milk chocolate chips and toss them lightly with a spoonful of the dry flour mixture. Coating the chocolate chips in flour helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the muffins as they bake, allowing every bite to have evenly distributed chocolate.
Step 4: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, combine all your wet ingredients for an easy one-bowl process. Add ½ cup melted unsalted butter, 2/3 cup whole milk, 2 tablespoons sour cream, 2 eggs, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract.
Next, add both 1/3 cup granulated sugar and 1/3 cup brown sugar to the wet mixture. Stir everything together until the sugars dissolve and the mixture is smooth. The sour cream is a secret ingredient that adds moisture and tenderness, giving these muffins a wonderfully soft texture.
Step 5: Gently Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Pour the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, fold the two together carefully. Mix just until combined—avoid overmixing, which can develop the gluten in the flour and make the muffins tough rather than tender.
Step 6: Add in the Chocolate Chips
Fold the flour-coated chocolate chips gently into the batter. This step ensures every muffin is packed with melty chocolate morsels without breaking up the chips too much.
Step 7: Portion the Batter into the Muffin Tin
Using an ice cream scoop or large spoon, evenly distribute the batter into the prepared muffin tin cups. This method ensures uniform muffin sizes and even baking. Fill each cup about three-quarters full to allow room for the muffins to rise.
Step 8: Bake Your Muffins
Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven at 400°F and bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Around 15 minutes, start checking doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center of a muffin. When it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs (no wet batter), the muffins are ready. Be careful not to overbake, which can dry them out.
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Once done, remove the muffin tray from the oven and let the muffins cool in the tin for about five minutes. This resting time lets the structure set slightly, making them easier to remove and handle without breaking.
Why This Recipe Works So Well
The combination of sour cream and melted butter creates a rich, moist crumb that elevates these muffins above typical recipes. The touch of ground cinnamon intensifies the chocolate’s flavor without overpowering it, offering a perfectly balanced taste. Coating the chocolate chips in flour solves the common problem of them sinking during baking, resulting in chocolate in every delightful bite.
My approach to mixing—using just a bowl, whisk, and spatula without heavy mixers—makes this recipe accessible to home bakers of any skill level. The batter comes together quickly with simple folding motions to keep the muffins tender.
Tips for Success
- Measure flour carefully by spooning into the cup and leveling off to avoid dense muffins.
- Use fresh baking powder to ensure good rise.
- Don’t overmix once combining wet and dry ingredients—this keeps muffins soft.
- Customize with a pinch of nuts or swap the milk chocolate chips for dark or white chocolate if you prefer.
- For an extra touch, sprinkle a bit of coarse sugar on top before baking for a crunchy top.
Essential Equipment Guide
- 12-cup muffin tin
- Muffin liners
- Non-stick cooking spray
- Small bowls (two)
- Large bowl
- Spatula
- Large ice cream scoop
- Oven
- Toothpick (for testing doneness)
Nutritional Information
Approximate values per serving (1 muffin, based on 12 servings from recipe ingredients). Calculations use standard nutritional data for listed components.
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 280 kcal |
| Total Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 7g |
| Carbohydrates | 38g |
| Sugars | 22g |
| Protein | 4g |
| Sodium | 220mg |
Pairings
- Fresh brewed coffee to balance the sweetness
- Cold milk for a classic muffin dip
- Vanilla ice cream as a warm dessert topping
- Whipped cream for extra indulgence
Variations
- Swap milk chocolate chips for dark chocolate chips
- Add chopped walnuts or pecans for crunch
- Incorporate orange zest for citrus twist
- Use mashed bananas for a banana chocolate chip version
Recipe Timing
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-18 minutes
- Servings: Makes 12
By following these step-by-step instructions, you can bake moist, tender chocolate chip muffins bursting with chocolate goodness that rival your favorite bakery. Whether for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, these muffins are sure to please.
Enjoy baking and savor every delicious bite!
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How to Make Perfect Homemade Chocolate Chip Muffins: Step-by-Step Recipe
Chocolate chip muffins are a classic, comfort treat that everyone loves. This delivers irresistibly moist and flavorful muffins with a subtle hint of cinnamon that enhances the chocolate. Follow these detailed instructions to make bakery-quality muffins at home.
- Total Time: 30 Mins
Ingredients
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon of baking powder
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- 1/8 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- 1 12 oz bag of milk chocolate chips
- 2/3 cup of whole milk
- ½ cup of melted unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons of sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
Instructions
First, preheat your oven to 400°F (approximately 200°C). Promptly setting this up ensures the oven is at the right temperature when the muffins are ready to bake. Prepare your muffin tin by lining it with paper liners or lightly spraying with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking once baked.
Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, start by combining your dry ingredients—2 cups of flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon. The cinnamon is a subtle but important addition that enhances the chocolate flavor, making it richer without overwhelming the taste.
Gently whisk the dry ingredients together until evenly mixed. This ensures the baking powder and spices are distributed uniformly throughout the flour base.
Step 3: Coat the Chocolate Chips
Take the 12 oz bag of milk chocolate chips and toss them lightly with a spoonful of the dry flour mixture. Coating the chocolate chips in flour helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the muffins as they bake, allowing every bite to have evenly distributed chocolate.
Step 4: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In another bowl, combine all your wet ingredients for an easy one-bowl process. Add ½ cup melted unsalted butter, 2/3 cup whole milk, 2 tablespoons sour cream, 2 eggs, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract.
Next, add both 1/3 cup granulated sugar and 1/3 cup brown sugar to the wet mixture. Stir everything together until the sugars dissolve and the mixture is smooth. The sour cream is a secret ingredient that adds moisture and tenderness, giving these muffins a wonderfully soft texture.
Step 5: Gently Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Pour the dry ingredients into the bowl with the wet ingredients. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, fold the two together carefully. Mix just until combined—avoid overmixing, which can develop the gluten in the flour and make the muffins tough rather than tender.
Step 6: Add in the Chocolate Chips
Fold the flour-coated chocolate chips gently into the batter. This step ensures every muffin is packed with melty chocolate morsels without breaking up the chips too much.
Step 7: Portion the Batter into the Muffin Tin
Using an ice cream scoop or large spoon, evenly distribute the batter into the prepared muffin tin cups. This method ensures uniform muffin sizes and even baking. Fill each cup about three-quarters full to allow room for the muffins to rise.
Step 8: Bake Your Muffins
Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven at 400°F and bake for 15 to 18 minutes. Around 15 minutes, start checking doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center of a muffin. When it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs (no wet batter), the muffins are ready. Be careful not to overbake, which can dry them out.
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Once done, remove the muffin tray from the oven and let the muffins cool in the tin for about five minutes. This resting time lets the structure set slightly, making them easier to remove and handle without breaking.
- Prep Time: 15 Mins
- Cook Time: 15 Mins
