Description
Rich double chocolate espresso muffins combine deep cocoa notes with intense coffee flavor for a sophisticated breakfast treat. Coffee lovers will savor the balanced chocolate complexity that elevates morning indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 8 tbsps (1 stick or 113 grams) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup (240 ml/240 milliliters) low-fat buttermilk
- 3 tbsps freshly brewed espresso
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups (190 grams) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (50 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ tsp baking soda
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¾ cup (130 grams) semisweet or dark chocolate chips
- Confectioners’ sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 425°F and line muffin tin with paper liners, positioning racks to ensure even heat distribution.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk cocoa powder, flour, leavening agents, and salt in a medium bowl until completely uniform, eliminating potential lumps.
- Liquid Harmony: Combine espresso, vanilla, sugar, eggs, and buttermilk in a separate bowl, creating a smooth, integrated liquid base that will provide rich moisture to the muffins.
- Butter Integration: Slowly incorporate melted butter into liquid mixture, maintaining consistent whisking to prevent ingredient separation.
- Batter Composition: Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture using minimal strokes, preserving a tender texture and allowing slight flour streaks to remain visible.
- Chocolate Enhancement: Gently fold chocolate chips throughout batter, reserving a small portion for decorative topping, ensuring even distribution.
- Baking Technique: Fill muffin cups to the brim, then immediately place in oven. Reduce temperature after initial 5 minutes to create dramatic rise and achieve a delicate crumb.
- Doneness Verification: Bake for 15-17 minutes, testing with a toothpick which should emerge clean when inserted into center of muffins.
- Finishing Touches: Immediately sprinkle reserved chocolate chips on warm muffins, allowing residual heat to create a glossy melted effect.
- Cooling Process: Remove muffins from tin after brief resting period, transferring to cooling rack to maintain optimal texture and prevent moisture accumulation.
Notes
- Optimize Oven Temperature: Start baking at 425°F, then immediately reduce to 375°F for a dramatic rise and perfectly textured muffins.
- Master Mixing Technique: Fold ingredients gently to prevent overmixing, which can create tough, dense muffins with a rubbery texture.
- Chocolate Chip Strategy: Reserve some chips for topping to create a visually appealing and extra chocolatey finish that melts beautifully.
- Cooling Critical: Remove muffins from pan quickly to prevent soggy bottoms and maintain a delightful crisp exterior.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 17-20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 238
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 152 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 58 mg