These cocoa muffins, made with flour, sugar, cocoa, eggs, oil, and vanilla, have a not-too-sweet but intense cocoa flavor. For those of us with more adult chocolate cravings.
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.–David Leite
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Cocoa Muffin FAQs
What is Dutch-process cocoa?
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.
Can this recipe be made dairy free?
Absolutely. Simply add your favorite plant-based milk in place of the dairy.
When should I serve cocoa muffins?
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.
Can I freeze cocoa muffins?
You can. Just cool them completely, secure them in an air-tight ziptop bag, and freeze them for up to three months.
In this recipe
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
Directions
- 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.
Show Nutrition
If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #LeitesCulinaria. We’d love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
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.
Originally published September 22, 2004
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If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #LeitesCulinaria. We'd love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
So happy to have both US and Metric measurements in the recipe! And great recipe 🙂
Thanks, Irens!
Love it!
Thanks, Ilinq!
Absolutely delicious muffins, but ovens and math must have been different in 2004. As soon as I realized I had LOTS of extra batter after filling my 12 cups more than 3/4 full, I knew I couldn’t trust the bake time. I put my SEVENTEEN muffins in the oven for no longer than 14 minutes and they are perfection. I’m definitely going to bake them again.
I see that some people are ending up with fewer than 12! I’m wondering what it is about this recipe that breaks the laws of space and time to give us all varying amounts of muffins! haha
We’re so glad you loved them, Rachel! I’m not sure how you ended up with 17 muffins, but I guess you have plenty to enjoy now. Do you have a standard-sized muffin tin? I recently acquired a new muffin tin and the wells are significantly more shallow than my old one.
I got 17 too. Have standard size muffin tins, and filled 3/4+. Yummy!
I’m so glad you enjoyed them, Jayne!
Would these be okay if I used canola oil instead of mild vegetable oil?
Absolutely, Claire! Do let us know how they turn out.
Hello,
If I want to bake this Cocoa Muffin in a loaf pan, do I need to reduce the oven temperature? How long should I bake it for?
Kindly advise, thank you 🙂
I have a question is 1 1/4 milk or 1/4 milk and how much is 1 1/4?
enisa, it’s 1 cup plus 1/4 cup.
Hi Alyssa, I would reduce the temperature to 375F and allow for around 45 minutes bake time – be sure and use your cake tester to check for doneness.
Thank you very much Beth for your advice 🙂
You are most welcome, Alyssa. Please let us know how your loaf turns out.