Wednesday 27 March 2013

Chocolate Muffins


Ever since I started baking, I have become a muffin snob. And I believe I am not alone. Let me share a little story with you. Some time last year (I always have old stories) I had a case of a muffin snack attack during a work day. I looked at my watch. It was a little over 2 hours before lunch. I couldn't wait to go to the bakery which was a short distance away from my office. And oh, it was chocolate muffins that was calling my name.


As I was walking to the bakery, I reminded myself that I have to be mindful of my diet. Muffins go straight to my belly and thighs. Somehow my digestive system has a direct portal to all the wrong places. I was in two minds as to whether I should give in to my craving or give it a miss. Right there and then a SYT (Sweet Young Thing) walked past me. She was stick thin. And I mean stick thin. "Mahdahm, surely you don't want to be that thin", the devil whispered into my ear. Straight away I walked into the bakery.


I was quite happy to pick up one chocolate muffin (RM3.50). Yes, just one thank you (a very rare thing thing indeed, I usually take two). I also picked up my usual "chap fan" (mixed rice) on my way back.

Back at the office, I was very eager to sink my teeth into the muffin. As I bit into the muffin and chewed, I froze. The muffin was fresh but it tasted.......how shall I say it......empty, disappointing, like something was missing. I mean, I used to like that muffin but somehow it's not the same anymore. Then I realized what had happened. These muffins were no match for my homemade ones. I mean really. "POM! POM! POM!...", that's my auntie telling me that I am blowing my own trumpet.


I took another bite and that was it. Into the bin it went. How's that for snobbery?

Chocolate Muffins
Recipe source : Adapted from Joy of Baking
Makes 12 regular sized muffins

Ingredients :
- 230grams self-raising flour
- 30grams unsweetened cocoa powder
- 170grams chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 113g unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 2 large eggs
- 240ml buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Method :
1. Preheat oven to 160C
2. Line muffin pan with 12 paper liners
3. In a mixing bowl, sift the flour and cocoa powder together. Then stir to evenly mix and stir in the chocolate chips.
4. In another mixing bowl, mix brown sugar, butter, eggs, buttermilk and vanilla extract.
5. Using a spatula, fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined.
6. Using an ice-cream scoop, evenly fill the muffin liners.
7. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.

61 comments:

  1. These chocolate muffins are so rich and delicious... Those outside cannot beat home made ones for sure. I never buy any muffins from outside anymore ;)

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    1. Mich, same here! Store bought muffins don't taste good to me anymore :)

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  2. btol Ph kadang kadang kecewa bila makan muffin yang dibeli dari kedai.Rupa cantik tetapi rasa .. tak sedap langsung.Bila dah pandai buat sendiri..good bye la kedai ya hehe.

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    1. Betul! Betul! Sendiri bikin lagi best!

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  3. Hi Phong Hong
    I loves to bake my own muffin instead of buying from the bakery shop; somehow or rather the ones from the shop sometimes turn out to be so dry and can't even swallow without a sip of coffee or tea! I loves to eat chocolate and having it in muffins taste extra yummy.

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    1. You are right, Mel! Nothing can compare with the muffins we bake at home :)

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  4. Replies
    1. Ola, they are delicious! One is not enough :)

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  5. Phong Hong, l am also a bit fussy on muffin. I can't eat plain muffin, my choice of muffin has to be got nuts or fruits in there. I rarely buy muffin from shops...maybe just not not very fancy on muffin. Homemade one is anytime better than store bought at least it is fresh and suit to won taste!

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    1. Li Shuan, same here. I prefer with dried fruits or chocolate. Won't buy from outside anymore!

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  6. Hi PH, another nice muffin which I must bake esp. with buttermilk. I believe your muffin cups cost more than the ingredients but they are lovely. Am I too cost conscious? Hehehe..

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    1. Kimmy, actually the muffin cups not that expensive :) The most expensive ingredient is the buttermilk but can substitute with yogurt. I am cost concious too hee..hee...

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  7. Phong Hong, if it wasn't that choc muffin, we won't have the chance to see your bake of the choc muffins, hahaha! I like the one that popped up like a mountain. My problem of baking muffin is that every of them came out with a different shape of muffin top?Any clue? I baked some raspberry muffins on last Sat but not sure when will post as my tomato cookings have taken up most of my posting in this month & I have accumulated many more of other recipes, hahaha! This month I will make 2 very similar muffins & will share with you in Apr coz I won't update my blog until next week!

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    1. Jessie, nowadays so fussy leh! Hee..hee...My muffins also got funny tops. Some become like mountain and some crack. I also don't know why. I look forwards to your muffins :)

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  8. Hi Phong Hong, your chocolate muffin look very yummylicious and chocolatey. I think 2 pieces plus a cup of coffee for me, enough already.... :))

    Have a nice weekend.

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    1. Amelia, it is nice for teatime yah? I also usually take two. Mustn't eat too much :)

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  9. I love your chocolate muffins, and yes, I don't buy muffins or cakes anymore, baking at home is more than enough to feed my cravings:P
    Way too much in fact...

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    1. Jeannie, our home baked ones are simply the best hah! hah! hah!

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  10. I enjoyed the story :) The loud thud must have been you throwing the bakery bought muffin into the bin but i didn't hear the trumpet though ;p Totally agree with you on that bit, once you start making your own stuff your expectations are a lot higher, not only yours but the entire family! That's one yummy looking choc muffin you have there.

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    1. Hee..hee...thanks! That's why now I hardly buy anything from the bakery except for those fancier cakes that I don't make at home.

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  11. Enjoyed your post dear, muffins look delicious and nice clicks

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  12. Yummy! I baked some chocolate muffins too but yours definitely look better than mine:)

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    1. Hi Ann! Oh no, mine can't be better looking than yours :) So, can I see your muffins? hee..hee...

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  13. Toot away! Your muffins look amazing! I know they taste incredible, too!

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    1. Thank you, Lizzy! I must give myself a pat on the back every once in a while :)

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  14. Replies
    1. Thanks, Vimitha! I want to exchange with your checkerboard cake :)

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  15. Phong Hong my!my! this is my favourite muffin I can eat 3 at one go with my mug of nescafe with milk I am very fussy I don't like cakes or muffins from the bakery.The smell of the cake whatever essence they use just put me off.I prefer to bake on my own.WOW!WOW! now you bangnok pandai going to beat me flat or a better word is beat me flat.I have all the ingredients must bake chocolate muffin .Did Beng give you the cocoa powder?ONce when I went back your mun bought Butter Cake from the bakery just fresh from the oven Your Papa's favourite.Once home your mum cut one slice for me to eat .She said nice and hot I took one bite I just cuoldn't swallow the taste and smell of the essence is horrible.That's why your papa praise about how good your cakes are POM!POM!POM!

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  16. Phong Hong this is my favourite muffin .I can eat three at one go with a mug of nescafe.I don't like to eat cakes or muffins from the bakery .I don't know what essence they put in the batter.I am very fussy The Black Forest Cake is terrible .I never enjoy eating cakes from the bakery nothing like home make I know you make very nice cakes but always no chance to tapau home.Now you beat me flat in baking POM!POM!POM!.I have all the ingredients to make chocolate muffin but haven't make an effect to do it.Will do it this weekend .Too busy with Pao Pao must give a break and do baking

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    1. Yeah lah, our own baking better! Your cucu will love the chocolate muffins :)

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  17. I love muffin that is moist like the one in Kenny Rogers. Your muffin looks delicious

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    1. Azie, I love the Kenny Rogers muffins! They are delicious. So long haven't eaten it.

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  18. Hi PH! Love you old stories... esp the old old ones! :D

    You sure bake better than me!

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    1. Alvin, don't be so modest lah! I am sure you can bake quite well :)

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  19. Haha...oh yes homemade is always the best! Your muffins look chocolaty!

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    1. Thanks, thanks! There were lots of chocolate chips inside.

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  20. nah..looking at those slim girls wont deter me from enjoying my food...isnt our policy..eat first? eat and eat... then maybe totally forgot abt dieting..cos we are baking all the time! LOL!

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    1. Eh, somebody very slim even after baking and eating all those breads and cakes....Don't bluff, Lena. hee...hee....

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  21. Hi Phong Hong,
    You are definitely right! Nothing beats homemade muffins, especially when they are warm, freshly out from the oven! And your chocolate muffins look delish!!

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    1. Thanks, Joyce! Now I only eat home made muffins after that incident. Wasted my RM3.50 heh..heh...

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  22. Hehe Phong Hong, I believe you when you say your muffins are way better than the ones from the bakery! :) Happy Easter.

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    1. Thanks, Yen! Happy Easter to you too :)

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  23. Wait! Wait! Will try baking one of these days...tak nak kalah! LOL!!! Happy Easter to you!

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    1. Happy Easter to you too! I am waiting for your muffins :)

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  24. Hahaha! Such a cute post & love your sense of humour, Phong Hong!

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    1. Thank you, Shirley! I won't be visiting that bakery again anytime soon hee..hee...

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  25. that looks gorgeous! the problem with makign thigns liek chocolate muffin, is it tends to disappear really quickly in my house haha. happy easter x

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    1. Hi Shu Han! Yeah, same here :) Happy Easter to you too and thanks for dropping by!

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  26. delizia delle delizie! Ti auguro una Buona Pasqua un abbraccio

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  27. You always has many old stories, hehehe, please continue sharing old stories ya .. Home baking sure taste nice lor, fresh ingredients are added and we know what we have added..

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    1. Sonia, more stories to come hah! hah!

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  28. Phong Hong, just letting you know that you are in my Featured Food Blog sidebar for April on Carole's Chatter. Have a great week.

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    1. Thank you, Carole! That's very kind of you and I appreciate that very much! Have a wonderful week ahead :)

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  29. Phong Hong,
    I love reading your old old stories!
    I am imaging your cute look :D when you are typing your old stories to share with us..:p
    Oh! Nothing can beat homemade la!
    Your chocolate muffin sure looks great and yum!
    mui

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    1. mui mui, in that case I can dig out more old stories to share with you :) Yes, homemade muffins are the best. No more buying from the shop!

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