Peppermint Hot Chocolate Muffins (Print version)
Moist chocolate muffins infused with peppermint, studded with chocolate chips and crushed candy for a cozy, minty treat.
# What you'll need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 1 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 3/4 cup whole milk
09 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
10 - 1 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
11 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ Add-ins
12 - 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
13 - 1/2 cup mini marshmallows
14 - 1/3 cup crushed peppermint candies
→ Topping
15 - Extra chocolate chips for garnish
16 - Mini marshmallows for garnish
17 - Additional crushed peppermint candies for garnish
# Method:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly blended.
03 - In a separate medium bowl, whisk eggs, whole milk, vegetable oil, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract until smooth.
04 - Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and mix gently just until combined; avoid overmixing to ensure tender muffins.
05 - Fold in semi-sweet chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and crushed peppermint candies until evenly distributed throughout the batter.
06 - Divide batter evenly among prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full. Sprinkle with additional chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and crushed peppermint candies for garnish.
07 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
08 - Remove from oven and allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- The bursts of chocolate and peppermint deliver a mood-lifting surprise with every bite.
- These muffins come together swiftly, yet always taste like your kitchen worked overtime.
02 -
- Overmixing the batter once everything is combined can lead to dense, tough muffins—that’s a lesson I won’t soon forget.
- Adding marshmallows creates gooey pockets, but they may bubble up if too close to the edge—push them gently under the surface for best results.
03 -
- If you sense the batter is dry, a splash more milk will make it forgiving—muffins don’t mind small adjustments.
- Crushing candies in a zip-top bag with a rolling pin saves both cleanup and your fingers from sticky shards.