Peppermint Hot Chocolate Muffins (Printable version)
Moist cocoa muffins studded with chocolate chips, crushed peppermint and a marshmallow-kissed topping.
# Ingredient List:
→ 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
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 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly blended.
03 - In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, whole milk, vegetable oil, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract until thoroughly combined.
04 - Pour wet mixture into the bowl with dry ingredients. Stir gently until just incorporated; avoid overmixing to maintain a tender crumb.
05 - Gently fold semi-sweet chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and crushed peppermint candies into the batter.
06 - Distribute batter evenly into lined muffin cups, filling each approximately three-quarters full. Sprinkle with additional chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and peppermint candy as desired.
07 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin emerges with a few moist crumbs attached.
08 - Allow muffins to rest in the tray for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Each bite is like unwrapping a warm, chocolatey holiday treat but without needing a mug.
- I started making these for fun, but they quickly became my secret weapon for cozy gatherings and random acts of kindness.
02 -
- The first time I overmixed the batter, the muffins turned oddly dense and lost their perkiness—less stirring is truly more.
- Once I swapped out regular peppermint candies for soft mints, but they vanished in the oven—hard candies keep their crunch and pretty color.
03 -
- Don&apost overfill the muffin cups or you&apoll get overflow instead of high domes.
- A light hand with the batter and a heavy hand with the toppings is the secret to cliché-worthy muffins.