french yoghurt cake
almond and cranberry granola
have a fun weekend.
baked quinoa and millet patties
have a great weekend.
chocolate chip muffins
When my sister and I were little we weren’t allowed to eat “junk food”, a rule that was strictly enforced by our parents. This included sweets, crisps, sugary drinks, and all sorts of other things that we were itching to get our sticky paws on. Going to McDonald’s was frankly unthinkable. Generally, I appreciate that my parents did not want us to eat crap and fed us whole, fresh foods instead of a ton of sugar, although I don’t think I had the same feelings when I was eight.
Once we reached a certain age, the parents relented slightly. I’m not sure if it was because they knew they could control less as we grew older, or if their own views softened a bit, but the occasional treat would start popping up in our larder. My favourite of these, by a mile, were chocolate chip muffins.
One brand was better than all the others and when Mum bought the Tesco’s Finest chocolate chip muffins and I saw them sitting in the cupboard, the excitement was pretty intense. Sometimes she would buy the miniature version but nothing was as good as the giant ones, which had an American flag on the label to identify them with their country of origin.
Those muffins were just perfection. So moist, with an amazing top and beautiful studs of chocolate throughout. They definitely did not go light on the chocolate chips and why would you?
And so to these muffins, today. Something reminded me of those Tesco muffins sitting in the larder in the house I spent 10 years growing up in, and I wanted to prolong the memory and the thought of home.
Funny that an American muffin can remind me of home.
I wanted these to replicate the muffins of Tesco yore as much as possible which is why they are studded with chocolate chips in a more is more attitude. Lots of chocolate crunch in every bite. Warm from the oven they’re more cupcake-like really but let them sit for half an hour once they’ve cooled and the crumb really holds together well in that very identifiable way of a muffin. Their only fault is that they lack that particularly brilliant feature – the muffin top. If anyone can school me in how to achieve a ridiculously large muffin top, I’d be much obliged.
Chocolate Chip Muffins
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter, melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2/3 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1.5 cups chocolate chips
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375F. Line a muffin tin with 12 paper liners. Set tin aside.
2. In a large bowl whisk together flour, white and brown sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a smaller bowl stir together the melted butter, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until well blended. Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour the liquid mixture into the well and gently stir until combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
4. Spoon batter into muffins cups and bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean (a little chocolate is ok here). Remove muffins from the oven and allow to cool before serving. Makes 12 muffins.
Category: recipe | Tags: baking, brunch, chocolate, muffins, sweet treats 13 comments »
April 15th, 2011 at 8:30 am
even without the huge muffin top, these are gorgeous :) And I can never get the perfect muffin top either!
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April 15th, 2011 at 9:22 am
This is funny! using an American flag in the packaging to distinguish itself…just because they’re called under the same name, muffin!
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April 15th, 2011 at 9:24 am
Mmmm, thanks for letting Dan take some to work. You’re right that more is more with chocolate. — chocolate fan at the Loft
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Angharad Reply:
April 15th, 2011 at 10:51 am
Thanks Ari! Glad you enjoyed them and that we are together on the more is more with chocolate! Have a great weekend.
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April 15th, 2011 at 9:58 am
In college I used to dine on (giant) chocolate chip muffins slathered in smucker’s peanut butter nearly every morning. These muffins remind of those days :) I agree – the more chocolate chips, the better!!
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April 15th, 2011 at 2:00 pm
Yes! Someone please tell me how to achieve a large muffin top! I’m dying to know as well! It’s hands-down the best part but I’ve never been able to figure out how to do it.
Great post by the way. If I wasn’t cutting back on sugar at the moment, a batch of these would already be in the oven…
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April 16th, 2011 at 12:40 pm
I absolutely LOVE chocolate chip muffins. I love muffins in general. But even more when there’s chocolate in them. :D
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April 17th, 2011 at 8:48 am
i love food memories like this, and i too came from a junk-free household so i hear you on TRULY appreciating the muffin for what it is, especially since this is such an american treat. :)
oh, and i want these NOW. time to unearth the muffin pan…
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April 17th, 2011 at 2:14 pm
ummm can i ask, what the hell is a larder?
besides that, these look perfect. i know of the tesco muffins you talk about (ahem, i bought them several times late at night after drinking too much), and i would kind of like one right now…
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Angharad Reply:
April 17th, 2011 at 8:50 pm
Oops – sometimes I forget which words are understood by both sides of the Atlantic and which are….not. A larder is just another word for a closed in pantry. It’s usually a stand alone cupboard in which you store food. Cool, dry, excellent for storing muffins…
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April 19th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
I love your style of writing and ability to really bring me to appreciate these things through your eyes and memories :) not to mention you always share the most wonderful recipes.
Much love to you!
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April 20th, 2011 at 11:53 am
I made these muffins last night and they are AMAZING! The only thing I changed was subbing regular 2% milk for the buttermilk (I discovered halfway through the process that I had none…). My husband and best friend are raving for more!! Thanks for the great recipe!
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April 20th, 2011 at 8:06 pm
I made chocolate-chip muffins yesterday! Wish I seen this recipe – these look incredible! Wow – just like a bakery muffin. Send my way please! :)
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