Peppermint Hot Chocolate Muffins (Printable)
Moist chocolate muffins with peppermint, studded with chips and crushed candies for a cozy 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 (optional)
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
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until fully blended.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, whole milk, vegetable oil, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
04 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and mix gently with a spatula until just combined, taking care not to overmix.
05 - Gently fold in chocolate chips, mini marshmallows (if using), and crushed peppermint candies until evenly distributed.
06 - Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each approximately three-quarters full.
07 - Sprinkle additional chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and peppermint candies over the tops of each muffin.
08 - Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center emerges with a few moist crumbs attached.
09 - Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Each bite gives you that hot chocolate nostalgia, but with a cooling hint of peppermint that wakes up your tastebuds.
- They look impressive, but the recipe’s so forgiving even a distracted baker (like me) can’t really mess it up.
02 -
- If you overmix your batter, your muffins will go from plush to tough—walk away as soon as the flour disappears.
- Chilling your crushed peppermint candies for 10 minutes before adding keeps them from melting too fast in the oven.
03 -
- Lining your tin perfectly avoids any tragic sticking incidents.
- The secret? A light sprinkle of crushed peppermint right before baking keeps the tops sparkly and crisp.