Sunday, June 30, 2013

Good Chocolate Muffin Morning!

Today is the LAST day of our comment contest, so if you want a chance to win something home-baked from me (I ship!) be sure to comment on this or any post by midnight tonight, June 30, 2013!

For this last day of June I'm bringing you something very special: Chocolate Breakfast Muffins! I found the recipe on the King Arthur Flour site, and the reviews were phenomenal, so I was just bursting at the seams to make them! I realized, late last night, that I had all of the ingredients. So, there I was, at 11:30 at night, mixing up the batter (just stirred together, no mixer necessary) and popping them in the oven. The timer announced they were done just after midnight, and it was all I could do not to dig right in to one. I mustered up the little bit of self-control still remaining and set them out to cool, then loaded up the dishwasher, and called it a night.

So here we are this morning, with a dozen of the most beautiful chocolate muffins you can imagine. They are substantial -- dense, firm, moist -- and crowned with a sparkling of coarse sugar. I've never actually had a chocolate muffin before, but this recipe is a home run and I'll be making them again for special breakfasts or brunch. They are not too sweet and yet pack a real chocolate punch. I could go on and on about how happy I am with this recipe. Try it, and see for yourself. You'll have a new keeper for your recipe collection, I'm sure!

CHOCOLATE BREAKFAST MUFFINS
recipe that follows is from King Arthur Flour

Oven, 350 degrees F

2/3 cup Dutch processed cocoa
1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour (King Arthur!)
1 1/4 cups light brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon espresso powder (optional)
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup chocolate chips
2 large eggs
3/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoons vinegar
1/2 cup butter, melted OR 1/3 cup vegetable oil
coarse white or pearl sugar for topping (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Farenheit. Line a standard muffin pan with paper or silicone muffin cups, and grease the cups (I didn't grease the paper liners, just put them in the ungreased muffin pan).

In large mixing bowl, whisk together the cocoa, flour, sugar, baking powder, espresso powder, baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips. Set aside.

In a large measuring cup or medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and vinegar. Add the wet ingredients, along with the melted butter, to the dry ingredients, stirring to blend; there's no need to beat these muffins, just make sure everything is well-combined.

Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tin; the cups will be heaped with batter, and the muffin will bake into a "mushroom" shape. Sprinkle with pearl sugar if desired.

Bake the muffins for 20-25 minutes (mine went for 25 minutes) or until a cake tester inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Remove the muffins from the oven, and after 5 minutes remove them from the pan, allowing them to cool for about 15 minutes on a rack before peelig off the muffin papers or silicone cups. Yield:  12 muffins


KAF nutrition info per serving (1 muffin, 101g): 335 cal, 13.8g fat, 6g protein, 18g complex carbohydrates, 28g sugar, 3g dietary fiber, 69mg cholesterol, 273mg sodium, 265mg potassium, 101RE vitamin A, 3mg iron, 108mg calcium, 117mg potassium, 18mg caffeine.


20 comments:

  1. Everything about these excites me! I can't wait to try them. I might bake them for our camping trip in August! I get so excited when I see your posts because you have such a variety of "tastes" that you explore. Thanks!

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    1. Nancy, everything about your comment excites me! Just the reaction I hope for, enthusiastic and inspired to make them! These would be great to take camping. No wimpy muffin here! They will pack well and be such a welcome treat in the morning, for a snack, or for an easy dessert! Thanks so much, Nancy!

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  2. Sounds yummy. I'll make them when grandkiddos are here. Think I'll make mini ones though. Have a great day!!!

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    1. Carol! It worked! You commented! Thank you! Mini-muffins are great for kids. Let me know how you like hem!

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  3. Goodness, Those Look Good! I Might Be Stopping By The Store Later For A Few IngredientS!

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    1. They are very, very good Sara. Let me know if you make them, and how they turn out!

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  4. If I ever wind up on death row, I want these to top off my last meal.

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  5. Wow, chocolate muffins - definitely something to get excited about! :-) This sounds like a keeper recipe for sure - thanks! Have you ever been to King Arthur in Norwich, VT? I fortunately live nearby! They renovated last year and now have an even bigger and more beautiful place to visit!

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    1. Hi Melissa! Yes, I have been to KAF, but before the renovation. It's been a couple of years. Can't wait to go again. It's Nirvana for me! Thanks for the comment!

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  6. Going to have to print this recipe & add to my collection. My oldest son loves anything chocolate! Thanks for Sharing all your delicious recipes. I enjoy your blog & Facebook page.
    Ginelle

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    1. Thank you Ginelle! This is definitely the muffin for a chocolate lover! Happy to hear you enjoy the blog and fb page!

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  7. I have long proclaimed...chocolate, it's not just for breakfast any more. I have already marked the recipe
    Thanks Jeannie

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    1. Judy, I am in full agreement with you! Chocolate is A-OK from early morning until late at night! Hope you enjoy the recipe! Thanks!

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  8. these look so good. I've added them to my ever growing 'must make' list of recipes. Maybe this coming weekend I will actually do these for my gentleman's birthday :-)

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  9. Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate ......need there be any other words to express my desire to make these yummy goodies.! What dose the vinegar do..never heard of adding this . , just wondering ...butter or oil which do you prefer ? CKJ

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    1. The vinegar reacts with the other leavening agents (baking powder and baking soda) to ensure a good rise to the batter. Milk plus vinegar = buttermilk! I always prefer butter, but used oil this time and they were great!

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  10. /http: Sue ValentiJuly 1, 2013 at 5:07 PM

    What a great way to start the day -- my chocolate fix first thing in the morning. I think I'll give these a try for a special breakfast on the 4th (I made your red, white and blue muffins last year, which were oh so delicious).

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    1. Sue, these are great and freeze well, and I know that you freeze more than you eat! Hope you like them!

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