These chocolate muffins are only slightly sweet and have an adult-like cocoa flavor rather than an overtly fudgy chocolate smack. Between their restrained chocolatiness and the fact that we call them muffins rather than cupcakes, it’s really quite easy to convince yourself they’re healthy.
Recipe FAQs
Dutch process cocoa is cocoa that goes through a different process than your average powdered cocoa. The result is a less acidic, smoother, darker, and more mellow cocoa that’s absolutely worth the swap. Read more on the differences between natural and Dutch Process cocoa.
Absolutely. Simply add your favorite plant-based milk in place of the dairy.
We think that these muffins are just as splendid for breakfast as they are at snack time, or even for dessert. Want to make them more dessert-like? Add chocolate chips to the batter. More nutritious? Toss in some nuts. Whatever you decide, just be sure there’s a big glass of milk and some napkins handy.
You can. Just cool them completely, secure them in an air-tight ziptop bag, and freeze them for up to three months.
Write a Review
If you make this recipe, or any dish on LC, consider leaving a review, a star rating, and your best photo in the comments below. I love hearing from you.–David
Amazing recipe! I’m a baking novice and wanted to try out a muffin recipe. These were easy to make, came out super moist and chocolate-y! I will definitely be making them again, maybe adding chocolate chips next time!
Kiki
Cocoa Muffins
Ingredients
- Nonstick spray or paper muffin cups
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup Dutch process cocoa powder, sifted
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon table salt
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups milk, (whole or low-fat but not nonfat)
- 1/3 cup mild vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Position an oven rack in the center of the oven. Spray the muffin tin or line them with paper muffin cups.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until lightly beaten, then whisk in the milk, oil, and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the flour mixture with a wooden spoon until moistened.
- Fill the prepared tins about 3/4 full. Reserve any leftover batter for a second batch. Bake for 20 to 23 minutes, or until the muffins have firm, rounded tops, and a toothpick inserted into the center of one muffin comes out with a few moist crumbs attached.
- Set the pan on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes.
- Gently rock each muffin back and forth to release it. Remove the muffins from the pan and let them cool on the rack for 5 minutes.
- Make them disappear. You can keep them in an airtight container or in resealable plastic bags for up to 24 hours at room temperature or stash them in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe Testers’ Reviews
I had a chocolate craving and found this easy cocoa muffins recipe. I will definitely be making them again. They’re moist, chocolatey, and delicious, and they’re not overly sweet.
I’d never have thought to put a pat of butter on a warm chocolate muffin, but I did as the recipe suggested and it was delicious.
I also like that these freeze well. Freezing them is great for portion control, especially since my hubby and son aren’t big chocolate eaters and I don’t feel I have to eat up a whole bunch before they go bad. I can eat one, save one for the next day, and freeze the rest for later.
This simple chocolate muffin recipe is a great recipe for little ones to help make because the muffins mix together in no time. I like them because they’re not very sweet.
I also think these would be good as mini muffins by reducing the baking time to about 10 minutes.
I simply made these the way I make any other muffin. I made 6 large ones. Extremely excellent, with a mild but emphatic chocolate flavor. I used 2/3 cup sugars, and I displaced 2 tablespoons of the flour with…oat bran. (Small concessions to A1C.) Combination of powdered low-fat and fresh whole milk. Keeper recipe.
Thanks, Bruce!
This is an amazing recipe and the whole family loved it, I thought making chocolate muffins would be hard but using this recipe made it 100% easier.
Thanks, mutshidzi!