Description
Delectable salted caramel chocolate chunk muffins blend sweet and salty notes in a perfect harmony. Rich chocolate chunks and caramel swirls create an irresistible treat that will delight chocolate enthusiasts and satisfy morning cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 ¾ cups (220 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil (or melted butter)
- ½ cup (50 g) cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- ½ cup (120 ml) buttermilk (or milk with 1 tsp vinegar)
- ½ cup (120 ml) hot water or coffee (optional, for deeper chocolate flavor)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup (130 g) chocolate chunks or chips
- 12 soft caramels, unwrapped (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tbsps heavy cream
- Flaky sea salt for sprinkling
- Additional chocolate chunks (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375F (190C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners, positioning them for uniform baking.
- Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together, creating a homogeneous powder without any clumps.
- Egg and Sugar Transformation: Whisk eggs and sugar until the mixture becomes pale and silky, indicating proper aeration and incorporation.
- Liquid Integration: Blend oil and vanilla extract into the egg mixture, creating a smooth, glossy base with consistent texture.
- Batter Development: Combine buttermilk with wet ingredients, then gradually fold in the dry ingredient mixture, using a delicate technique to maintain a tender crumb.
- Flavor Enhancement: Optional addition of hot water or coffee will intensify the chocolate’s rich flavor profile.
- Chocolate Distribution: Gently fold chocolate chunks throughout the batter, ensuring an even spread of decadent chocolate pieces in each muffin.
- Baking Process: Fill muffin cups three-quarters full and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean.
- Cooling Stage: Allow muffins to rest in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and optimal texture.
Notes
- Prevent Overmixing: Stir batter gently to maintain a light, tender texture; overmixing develops gluten and creates dense, tough muffins.
- Chocolate Chunk Distribution: Coat chocolate chunks in a light dusting of flour before folding into batter to prevent sinking and ensure even spread throughout the muffins.
- Moisture Mastery: Add hot water or coffee to intensify chocolate flavor and create a more moist, rich final product; start with small amounts to control consistency.
- Temperature Precision: Use room temperature ingredients like eggs and buttermilk to ensure smooth mixing and consistent baking results, helping muffins rise evenly and achieve perfect texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg