Transform Your Everyday Homely Chocolate Muffin Into A Gourmet Treat Fit For A King

It's quite simple to make gourmet muffin cakes; all you need are ingredients like coffee, cranberries, salted caramel, or even nuts like almonds, which transforms the humble muffin that truly is an indulgence in every bite.

Proper technique needs to be followed for these special muffins, as over-mixing or baking can result in a muffin that is not as palatable as you would want it to be. Fear not, for we have some easy chocolate muffin recipes that can kick-start your gourmet journey in the kitchen.

1. Chocolate-Cranberry Muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 cup maida (all-purpose flour)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions:

• Prepare a muffin tin by lining it with paper liners or greasing it with oil.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: maida, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
• In a separate bowl, whisk the wet ingredients: milk, oil, and egg. Pour into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined.
• Fold the cranberries and chocolate chips into the batter.
• Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin cups. Top each with half a fresh strawberry.
• Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing from the tin.
• Dust with additional powdered sugar if desired.

2. Chocolate Espresso Muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 cup maida
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1/2 tsp espresso powder
• 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven, then line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease with oil.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the maida, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, oil, egg, and coffee powder (more powder will give more flavor). Pour into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.
• Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin cups.
• Bake for 15-18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
• Allow to cool for 5 minutes before removing from the muffin tin (optional). Frost the cooled muffins with coffee-flavored buttercream.

3. Chocolate-Almond Muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 cup maida
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup almond butter
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: maida, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: milk, oil, egg and almond butter until smooth.
• Pour the wet mixture into the dry one, and stir to just about combine. Fold in the chopped almonds.
• Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin tin.
• Bake for 15-18 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out without any wetness or crumbs.
• Allow to cool for 5 minutes before enjoying warm or storing in an airtight container.

4. Salted Caramel Chocolate Muffins

Ingredients:

• 1 cup maida
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup salted caramel sauce
• Caramel sauce, sea salt flakes for topping

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven. Line a muffin tin with paper liners.
• In one bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, leavening, and salt.
• In a second bowl, mix milk, oil, and eggs until smooth.
• Gradually blend the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Fold in salted caramel sauce.
• Portion the batter evenly into prepared cups.
• Bake for 15-18 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Allow muffins to set in the tin for 5 minutes before transferring to a rack.
• For serving, drizzle extra caramel sauce over the tops, and sprinkle with sea salt (optional).