Cocoa Swirled Muffins with White Chocolate Chips
Category: Desserts
Servings: 12 muffins
These delightful cocoa swirled muffins with white chocolate chips are a perfect blend of rich chocolatey flavor and a touch of citrus, offering a deliciously moist texture that will leave you wanting more. With a combination of sweet cocoa, the smoothness of white chocolate, and a hint of lemon zest, they make for an irresistible treat at any time of the day. These muffins are great for breakfast, a snack, or even as a sweet after-dinner bite.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Butter | 155g |
| Sugar | 170g |
| Eggs | 2 |
| Milk | 195g |
| All-purpose flour (00) | 325g |
| Baking soda | 2g |
| Baking powder | 16g |
| Lemon zest | 1 lemon |
| Fine salt | A pinch |
| Milk | 30g |
| Sweetened cocoa powder | 20g |
| White chocolate chips | 100g |
| All-purpose flour (for dusting) | As needed |
Instructions
-
Prepare the White Chocolate Chips:
Begin by placing the white chocolate chips on a tray, spreading them out evenly. Once arranged, transfer the tray to the freezer and allow the chocolate chips to freeze. This step will help ensure the chocolate chips do not melt too quickly during baking, allowing for a delightful surprise with every bite. -
Prepare the Wet Ingredients:
In a large bowl, cut the butter into small pieces and add it to the bowl. Add the sugar to the butter and use electric beaters to cream the mixture together until smooth and fluffy. Then, incorporate the grated zest of one lemon into the mixture, adding a fresh, citrusy aroma to your batter. -
Add the Eggs and Milk:
In a separate bowl, crack the eggs and add them to the mixture. Follow this by adding 195g of milk (ensure both the milk and eggs are at room temperature for optimal results). Beat the ingredients together until the batter becomes smooth and slightly foamy. -
Sift the Dry Ingredients:
Sift the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and baking powder directly into the batter. Mix gently with your electric beaters to combine everything evenly. The sifting process helps eliminate any lumps and ensures the dry ingredients are fully integrated into the wet ingredients. -
Divide and Flavor the Batter:
Divide the batter into two separate bowls. In one bowl, add the sifted cocoa powder, ensuring it blends into the batter smoothly. Stir until the consistency of the cocoa batter matches that of the light-colored batter, and the texture is uniform. -
Add the White Chocolate Chips:
Once the white chocolate chips are frozen and ready, toss them lightly in some additional flour to prevent them from sinking too much during baking. Gently fold the chocolate chips into the light-colored batter, ensuring they are evenly distributed. -
Prepare the Muffin Piping:
You will now have two separate batters: a dark chocolate and a light batter. To create the swirled effect, place each batter into a separate piping bag. Once both bags are filled, place them inside a larger piping bag (without a nozzle) to make piping easier. Snip off the tip of the larger piping bag and carefully pipe the batter into a 12-muffin tin lined with paper liners, filling each muffin cup to the top. -
Bake the Muffins:
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) for conventional baking or 160°C (320°F) if using a fan-assisted (convection) oven. Bake the muffins for approximately 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so be sure to check the muffins after 20 minutes in a fan-assisted oven. -
Cool and Serve:
Once baked, remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes in the tin. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. These muffins are best enjoyed warm, but they’ll stay fresh for a few days when stored in an airtight container.
Tips:
- Ensure your milk and eggs are at room temperature before adding them to the batter, as this helps achieve a smoother and fluffier texture.
- Freezing the white chocolate chips prevents them from melting into the batter too quickly, leaving you with pockets of chocolate in every bite.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of lemon zest to suit your preference for a more pronounced citrus flavor.
Enjoy your deliciously moist and indulgent Cocoa Swirled Muffins with White Chocolate Chips – a treat that’s sure to brighten up any day!
