Double Chocolate Chip Muffins

The Double Chocolate Chip Muffins are every chocolate lover’s dream. These moist, rich, and deeply chocolatey muffins are bursting with cocoa flavor and studded with pockets of gooey melted chocolate chips. They’re the kind of treat that feels indulgent but is easy enough to whip up for any occasion.

Perfectly domed and bakery-style, these muffins owe their soft and fluffy texture to the combination of sour cream and just the right balance of sugars. Whether you’re baking them for brunch, dessert, or an afternoon pick-me-up, these muffins are sure to become a go-to recipe that never fails to impress.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (130g) all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup (40g) unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1/2 cup (120ml) vegetable oil

• 2/3 cup (135g) granulated sugar

• 1/3 cup (70g) brown sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1/2 cup (120ml) sour cream

• 1/4 cup (60ml) milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 cup (170g) semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus more for topping

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

3. In another bowl, whisk together the oil, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined.

4. Add eggs, sour cream, milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until smooth.

5. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until combined—do not overmix.

6. Fold in the chocolate chips.

7. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full.

8. Top each muffin with extra chocolate chips for a bakery-style look.

9. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

10. Allow muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 35 minutes
Kcal: 330 kcal | Servings: 12 muffins

If you’re on the hunt for a rich, moist, and ultra-chocolatey muffin that tastes like it came straight from a gourmet bakery, these Double Chocolate Chip Muffins will absolutely hit the spot. With a deeply chocolatey base and melty pools of semisweet chocolate chips in every bite, these muffins are a chocolate lover’s dream. They’re soft and fluffy inside with beautifully domed tops just like the kind you see behind the glass at your favorite café.

Whether you’re making them for a lazy weekend brunch, a grab-and-go weekday treat, or simply to satisfy an afternoon chocolate craving, these muffins are guaranteed to impress. Let’s take a closer look at why this recipe has become a favorite for home bakers and how you can elevate your baking game with a few tips, tricks, and delicious variations.

The Secret Behind Moist and Rich Chocolate Muffins

The key to a moist chocolate muffin lies in the balance of fat, moisture, and cocoa. These muffins use oil instead of butter, which helps keep the crumb tender and moist for days after baking. Oil disperses more evenly than butter and doesn’t firm up when cool, so the muffins stay soft and luscious.

Buttermilk is another secret weapon in this recipe. It adds moisture, a slight tang to balance the sweetness, and its acidity reacts with baking soda to create a beautifully risen muffin with a light, fluffy texture. Combine that with dark cocoa powder and a generous amount of chocolate chips, and you get rich, bakery-worthy muffins with intense flavor.

The Role of Cocoa Powder and Chocolate Chips

This recipe uses unsweetened cocoa powder, and opting for Dutch-processed cocoa enhances the richness of the chocolate flavor even more. Dutch cocoa is smoother and less acidic than natural cocoa powder, making it ideal for baked goods that rely on leavening agents like baking soda or baking powder for structure.

The “double chocolate” effect comes from the addition of chocolate chips. While many chocolate chip muffin recipes skimp on the chips, this one is generously packed with them, ensuring that every bite is punctuated with gooey, melty chocolate goodness. You can use semisweet, bittersweet, or even dark chocolate chips, depending on how rich you like your muffins.

Why These Muffins Rise So High

One of the hallmarks of bakery-style muffins is their signature dome top, and this recipe has that built-in. The batter is thick thicker than your average cupcake or cake batter which helps the muffins hold their shape as they rise.

Another important factor is the oven temperature. Starting the bake at a higher temperature (425°F) for the first five minutes gives the muffins a quick lift, setting the structure early and encouraging the tops to puff up. Then, lowering the temperature to 350°F finishes the bake without overcooking the outside. This two-temperature method is a simple but powerful baking technique that yields dramatic results.

Make-Ahead Tips and Freezing Instructions

One of the many great things about these muffins is that they’re freezer-friendly and perfect for prepping in advance. Once baked and cooled, you can wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap and store them in an airtight freezer bag. They’ll keep beautifully for up to 3 months.

When you’re ready to enjoy one, just pop it in the microwave for about 30 seconds or let it thaw overnight at room temperature. The texture stays soft, and the chocolate chips will still melt slightly, giving you that fresh-baked feel every time.

Variations to Try

While the base recipe is a chocolate lover’s dream, it’s also incredibly versatile. Here are a few ideas to customize the flavor and make these muffins your own:

• Mocha Muffins: Add 1 tablespoon of instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients to bring out the chocolate notes and add a subtle coffee flavor.
• Triple Chocolate Muffins: Use a mix of white, milk, and dark chocolate chips for variety in flavor and appearance.
• Nutty Delight: Fold in chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch and richness.
• Berry Chocolate: Mix in a handful of fresh raspberries or cherries for a tart contrast to the sweet chocolate.
• Zucchini Chocolate Muffins: Add a cup of finely grated zucchini to the batter for extra moisture and a hidden veggie boost.

Perfect for Any Occasion

These muffins are endlessly adaptable and make a great treat for all kinds of occasions. Here are just a few ways to serve and enjoy them:

• Breakfast or Brunch: Serve warm with a pat of butter and a hot cup of coffee.
• Dessert: Warm them up and serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
• Snacks for Kids: Toss one into a lunchbox or serve as an after-school snack with a glass of milk.
• Holiday Gifts: Wrap them in decorative paper or boxes and give them as edible holiday gifts.

Storage Tips

Once baked, store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is particularly warm, refrigerating them may help extend freshness, but be aware that refrigeration can sometimes dry out baked goods. To revive them, a quick zap in the microwave for 10–15 seconds does the trick.

If you want to store them longer, freezing is the best route. You can also freeze the batter itself by scooping it into lined muffin tins and freezing until solid. Transfer the frozen muffin batter pucks to a freezer bag and store them until ready to bake. No need to thaw just add an extra 5 minutes to the baking time.

Expert Tips for Success

• Don’t overmix the batter: Stir just until the ingredients are combined to avoid dense, tough muffins.
• Use room temperature ingredients: This helps everything incorporate more evenly and improves the texture.
• Fill the muffin cups to the top: Unlike cupcakes, muffins benefit from being overfilled slightly to get those beautiful domes.
• Sprinkle extra chips on top: For that bakery-style look, press a few extra chocolate chips onto the tops of each muffin before baking.
• Cool in the tin for 10 minutes: Letting the muffins rest before transferring to a wire rack helps them set and reduces breakage.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’re tired of dry, flat, or overly sweet chocolate muffins, this recipe will change everything. With its rich chocolate flavor, tender crumb, and sky-high tops, it delivers everything a chocolate muffin should. Plus, it comes together quickly in one bowl and doesn’t require any fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients.

Home bakers rave about how these muffins turn out like they came from a professional bakery and once you try them, you’ll understand why. They’re great fresh, even better the next day, and downright irresistible when warmed with a smear of butter.

Conclusion: A Muffin Worth Mastering

These Double Chocolate Chip Muffins offer the perfect blend of simplicity, flavor, and visual appeal. Whether you’re baking them for a special brunch, a casual weekend treat, or just because you’re craving something chocolatey, they never disappoint.

They’re easy enough for beginner bakers but yield results impressive enough to rival your favorite café or bakery. From their moist interior to their picture-perfect domes and decadent chocolate content, every aspect of these muffins is designed to delight. Once you add them to your regular rotation, you’ll find yourself coming back to this recipe time and again for birthdays, holidays, or just your next chocolate fix.