Craving something sweet but don't want the commitment of a whole cake or a dozen muffins? Then these delightful chocolate chip muffin tops are the perfect answer! This recipe is incredibly easy, requiring minimal ingredients and even less time. Perfect for a quick breakfast, a satisfying afternoon snack, or a simple dessert, these bite-sized delights are guaranteed to become a new favorite in your kitchen. Let's get baking!
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¾ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
- 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate – your choice!)
Instructions:
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Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease it well. This step prevents sticking and ensures easy removal of your delicious muffin tops.
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Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents for perfectly fluffy tops.
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Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. A stand mixer or hand mixer works well here, but you can also do this by hand if you prefer a bit of arm workout!
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Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined; don't overmix. Overmixing can lead to tough muffin tops.
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Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the chocolate chips. Resist the urge to overmix at this stage!
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Fill & Bake: Fill the muffin cups about ¾ full. Baking them slightly under-full prevents them from overflowing during baking and helps create a nice, slightly domed top. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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Cool & Enjoy: Let the muffin tops cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Perfect Muffin Tops:
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Using room temperature butter and eggs helps create a lighter and fluffier texture.
- Don't Overmix: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough muffin tops. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Check for Doneness: Start checking for doneness around the 15-minute mark to avoid overbaking. Every oven is slightly different.
Variations:
- Nutty Delight: Add ½ cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds) along with the chocolate chips.
- Fruity Fun: Incorporate ½ cup of blueberries, raspberries, or cranberries for a fruity twist.
- Spiced Up: Add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, spiced flavor.
Nutritional Information (per muffin top, approximate):
- Calories: Approximately 150-200
- Fat: 8-10g
- Protein: 3-4g
- Carbohydrates: 20-25g
- Sugar: 10-12g
These values are estimates and may vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
These easy-to-make chocolate chip muffin tops are a fantastic addition to any meal or snack time. Enjoy this simple recipe and experiment with different variations to discover your perfect combination! They're perfect for busy weeknights, weekend brunches, or any time a sweet treat is called for. Happy baking!