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–+ servings
Triple chocolate muffins on a baking sheet with one muffin broken open and laid on its side.

Triple chocolate muffins

This triple chocolate muffin recipe delivers pure cocoa bliss with its trio of rich chocolate ingredients - cocoa powder, chocolate chips and a decadent, fudgy chocolate frosting. So rich and intensely chocolatey, even Willy Wonka would approve!
5 from 53 votes
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Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: International
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 12 muffins
Calories: 564kcal
Author: Maretha Corbett

Ingredients

For the muffins

  • 310 grams all-purpose flour
  • 250 grams soft brown sugar
  • 100 grams cocoa powder - sifted
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 120 grams butter - melted
  • 3 large eggs - room temperature
  • 250 miililitre buttermilk - room temperature
  • 200 grams chocolate chips

For the chocolate frosting

  • 115 grams butter
  • 4 tablespoons water
  • 100 grams castor sugar
  • 260 grams icing sugar - sifted
  • 4 tablespoons cocoa powder - sifted

Instructions

To make the muffins

  • Preheat the oven to 180C/356F/gas mark 4.
  • Line a 12-cup standard size muffin baking tin with paper muffin liners.
  • In a large bowl, combine together the flour, brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and salt.
  • Melt the unsalted butter either in a small saucepan on the stove or in a microwave safe container in the microwave.
  • In a smaller bowl, whisk together the melted butter, eggs and buttermilk until fully incorporated and smooth.
  • Pour the wet ingredient mixture (the eggs, buttermilk and melted butter) into the dry ingredients.
    Gently fold together with a spatula or wooden spoon just until combined, being careful not to overmix.
  • Fold in the chocolate chips, gently incorporating them throughout the chocolate muffin batter.
  • Use an ice cream scoop or spoon to evenly divide and portion the muffin batter between the 12 lined muffin cups.
  • Bake the muffins in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean and the very tops of the muffins spring back when lightly pressed.
  • Remove the baked chocolate chip muffins from the oven and transfer to a wire cooling rack. Allow to cool whilst you prepare the chocolate frosting.

To make the fudgy chocolate frosting

  • Combine the butter, water and castor sugar together in a small saucepan. Place the pan over medium-low heat on the stove.
  • Heat the mixture, stirring constantly, just until the sugar fully dissolves and the mixture is uniform. Be careful not to allow the frosting to come to a boil.
  • Take the saucepan off the heat and vigorously whisk in the icing sugar and cocoa powder until you achieve a smooth, glossy consistency with no lumps.
  • Once the muffins have cooled slightly, use a spoon to generously dollop and swirl the chocolate frosting over the tops.
  • Let the frosted chocolate muffins finish cooling and setting before serving.

Notes

Measure accurately

For precise measurements, use a digital kitchen scale. If you don't have one yet, it's worth adding to your Christmas list! Digital scales ensure accuracy, making baking a breeze.

Use room temperature ingredients

Using room temperature eggs and buttermilk in a chocolate muffin recipe ensures better incorporation, improved texture, even baking, faster mixing and enhanced leavening.

Don't overmix the batter

Be very careful not to overmix the muffin batter. Gently stir only until there are no specks of flour remaining then stop mixing immediately.

For equal sized muffins

If you want all your muffins to be the exact same size, weigh the muffin mixture out between the 12 cases. They will weigh around the 90-100g mark each.

Easier clean-up

Place a piece of foil or parchment paper on the counter under the wire rack before dolloping on the frosting to catch any drips for easier clean-up later.

For a thicker frosting layer

We recommend doing two coats of frosting - spoon on the first amount, let it set slightly, then add another layer over the top. This allows you to build up a thicker fudgy frosting.

**Nutritional data disclaimer**

Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided below is calculated by a third party and we cannot guarantee the accuracy. We try our best to give you the most accurate information, but we do not take responsibility for errors that may be present. Also, the nutritional value of the recipe may change depending on the exact brands and products used. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare professional or registered dietitian for personalised advice on your dietary needs.

Nutrition

Calories: 564kcal | Carbohydrates: 88g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 425mg | Potassium: 304mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 61g | Vitamin A: 583IU | Calcium: 141mg | Iron: 3mg