Cherries and chocolate are a delightful combination, providing a burst of fruity sweetness alongside rich chocolate. Here’s a recipe for muffins that blend these two flavors beautifully:
Cherry Chocolate Muffins
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk (whole milk or 2% is best)
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and chopped
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (semi-sweet or dark)
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional, such as almonds or walnuts)
Instructions:
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Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease the cups well.
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Prepare the Cherries: If using fresh cherries, pit and chop them. If using frozen cherries, do not thaw them before adding to the batter.
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Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
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Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter, eggs, milk, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
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Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold the mixture together with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the batter should be slightly lumpy. Fold in the chopped cherries, chocolate chips, and nuts (if using).
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Fill the Muffin Tin: Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
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Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
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Cool and Serve: Let the muffins cool in the tin for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips:
- Cherry Prep: Make sure the cherries are well-drained to avoid adding excess moisture to the batter.
- Chocolate Variety: Use your favorite type of chocolate, whether it's semi-sweet, dark, or even milk chocolate, to customize the flavor.
- Topping: For an extra touch, sprinkle a few additional chocolate chips or chopped cherries on top of the muffins before baking.
These cherry chocolate muffins are a delicious treat for any time of day, combining the tartness of cherries with the indulgence of chocolate. Enjoy!
