Chocolate Breakfast Muffins (21)

 

Chocolate. Muffins. Two of my favorite things coming together. This recipe uses the classic muffin method (plus one secret ingredient) to present a decadent breakfast item. 

First, I weighed and stirred together the dry team-- flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder and soda, espresso powder (optional), salt, and chocolate chips. 

Next the wet team is stirred together in a separate bowl--eggs, milk, vanilla and the secret ingredient: vinegar. Yes, vinegar. I was hesitant as well. With only two teaspoons going into the mix, I hoped it wouldn't change the taste too much. 

The wet ingredients, along with melted butter, were added to the dry ingredients. I stirred by hand for about 15 seconds--just until I couldn't see any more white bits of flour. Overmixing is a big no no with muffins. 

The recipe directs you to scoop the batter into 12 greased cupcake liners. This is an abundance of batter, and will go all the way to the top of each cup. This is designed to give a mushroom shape to the final product. I'm not a fan of the large mushroom top, so instead I scooped my batter into 16 liners, 3/4 of the way full. I also deviated by leaving off the optional white pearl sugar on top. I had a feeling these would be plenty sweet without it (and I was right).

At 350 in my oven, they took about 23 minutes to cook through. I kept a vigilant eye on them, as it is easy to overcook a dark muffin. No one likes dry, overcooked muffin.

Let's be honest. I would never serve these to my kids for breakfast. But they are an incredibly delicious afternoon snack or dessert.  They have the signature quick bread crumb, which is springy and moist. You can't taste the vinegar at all. But you know what they really need? Nuts. That crunchy texture would be a great compliment. The only other change I would suggest is a touch more vanilla and a touch less salt. 

It took me less than 10 minutes to get the batter assembled, and the muffins in the oven.  The whole family inhaled them.  So it is easy to say, this one is a keeper.

Scores (out of 5): Dustin: 3.8 . Breanna: 4. Michael: 4. James: 4.7. Andrew: 4.5. Total  21/25

https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/chocolate-breakfast-muffins-recipe