Chocolate Chip Muffins

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A kid favorite, these chocolate chip muffins taste like chocolate chip cookies in muffin form.

Muffin pan full of chocolate chip muffins.

These rich chocolate chip muffins are a favorite in my comfort food bag of tricks, right alongside chocolate chip cookies and chocolate chip scones. They’re the perfect treat to whip up when someone has a rough day or the weather is dreary. You can mix the batter by hand in just 10 minutes — and the muffins are out of the oven 20 minutes later, ready to make everyone smile!

“Moist, delicious, and the perfect amount of chocolate chips — I couldn’t keep my kids and husband away from them!!”

Sandy

What You’ll Need To Make Chocolate Chip Muffins

ingredients for chocolate chip muffins
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and volume to the muffins. Measure by spooning it into the measuring cup and leveling it off to ensure accuracy.
  • Baking Powder and Baking Soda: Act as leavening agents helping the muffins rise.
  • Melted Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the muffins.
  • Granulated Sugar and Light Brown Sugar: Sweetens the muffins and contributes to their soft, moist texture.
  • Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor profile, giving a hint of sweetness and depth.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide structure and moisture.
  • Sour Cream: Adds moisture and tenderness to the muffins
  • Mini Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Infuse the muffins with bursts of chocolate flavor. Mini morsels are used as they are less likely to sink to the bottom of the muffins during baking.
  • Turbinado Sugar: Adds a crunchy texture and caramelized sweetness to the muffin tops.
  • Jump to the printable recipe for precise measurements

Step-By-Step Instructions

To begin, in a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

whisking dry ingredients for chocolate chip muffins

Next, in a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla.

whisking in eggs

Whisk in the eggs, then add the sour cream.

adding sour cream

Whisk until smooth.

whisked liquid ingredients for chocolate chip muffins

Add the dry ingredients.

whisking dry ingredients into wet ingredients

Whisk until evenly combined, then add the chocolate chips.

stirring in chocolate chips

Stir until evenly mixed.

chocolate chip muffin batter

Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared pan, filling the muffin cups about three-quarters full. Sprinkle the tops with the remaining chocolate chips, followed by the coarse sugar.

chocolate chip muffins ready to bake

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until domed and golden brown.

chocolate chip muffins fresh out of the oven

Let the muffins cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. The muffins are best enjoyed fresh on the same day, but leftovers will keep well in a covered container for a few days. The muffins can also be frozen for 3 to 4 months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make chocolate chip muffins ahead?

The muffins are best enjoyed fresh on the same day, but leftovers will keep well in a covered container for a few days. (To refresh individual muffins, warm in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds.)

Can I freeze chocolate chip muffins?

Sure, they freeze nicely! The muffins can be frozen in an airtight container or sealable plastic bag for up to 3 months. Thaw for 3 to 4 hours on the countertop before serving. To reheat, wrap individual muffins in aluminum foil and place in a preheated 350°F oven until warm.

Can I substitute yogurt for sour cream in chocolate chip muffins?

Yep, it’s perfectly fine to use Greek yogurt in place of the sour cream with no other modifications. In fact, many recipes, like these banana chocolate chip muffins, specify that you can use either sour cream or Greek yogurt in the batter.

What can I use in place of turbinado or sanding sugar?

You can use brown sugar as a substitute for turbinado or sanding sugar. It will achieve a similar crunchy, slightly caramelized texture on the muffin toppings.

chocolate chip muffins cooling on rack

You May Also Like

Chocolate Chip Muffins

A kid favorite, these chocolate chip muffins taste like chocolate chip cookies in muffin form.

Servings: 12 muffins
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Total Time: 35 Minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • Heaping ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 stick (½ cup) unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • ⅔ cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips, plus about 3 tablespoons more for sprinkling on top
  • About 1½ tablespoons coarse sugar, such as turbinado or sanding sugar, for sprinkling on top

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Spray a 12-cup muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla. Whisk in the eggs, followed by the sour cream. Add the dry ingredients and whisk until evenly combined. Stir in ⅔ cup of the chocolate chips.
  4. Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared pan, filling the muffin cups about three-quarters full. Sprinkle the tops with the remaining chocolate chips, followed by the coarse sugar. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until domed and golden brown. Let the muffins cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely. The muffins are best enjoyed fresh on the same day, but leftovers will keep well in a covered container for a few days. (To refresh individual muffins, warm in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds.)
  5. Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The muffins can be frozen in an airtight container or sealable plastic bag for up to 3 months. Thaw for 3 to 4 hours on the countertop before serving. To reheat, wrap individual muffins in aluminum foil and place in a preheated 350°F oven until warm.

Nutrition Information

Powered by Edamam

  • Serving size: 1 muffin
  • Calories: 348
  • Fat: 16 g
  • Saturated fat: 10 g
  • Carbohydrates: 46 g
  • Sugar: 29 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Sodium: 215 mg
  • Cholesterol: 64 mg

This website is written and produced for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and the nutritional data on this site has not been evaluated or approved by a nutritionist or the Food and Drug Administration. Nutritional information is offered as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. The data is calculated through an online nutritional calculator, Edamam.com. Although I do my best to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures should be considered estimates only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased, natural fluctuations in fresh produce, and the way ingredients are processed change the effective nutritional information in any given recipe. Furthermore, different online calculators provide different results depending on their own nutrition fact sources and algorithms. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator.

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Comments

  • These never got done after over 40 minutes in the oven. I even brought out my oven thermometer to make sure it was the correct temp. This recipe is a complete fail.

    • — Holly on May 6, 2024
    • Reply
    • It’s more likely your baking powder or soda wasn’t that fresh. I made these and they puffed up and cooked in the specified time.

      • — Lola on September 2, 2024
      • Reply
  • I felt like this was weird- this recipe seemed to either receive a 1star or a 4/5 star vote. I’m in the 5 star- they were moist, golden on top and not too sweet (which chocolate chip muffins sometimes can be). I struggle to understand how this could be a 1 star unless the user made a mistake… who knows??

    PS. I did sub plain yogurt for the sour cream since that’s what I had.

    • — Maggie on March 17, 2024
    • Reply
  • A perfect chocolate chip muffin. And easy too!

    • — Yvonne D on October 30, 2023
    • Reply
  • Love this recipe. It tastes great but I’m having trouble getting ours to have that ‘golden brown’ look. Any suggestions?

    • — Nancy on July 21, 2023
    • Reply
    • Hi Nancy, are you making any changes to the recipe or ingredient substitutions? (And glad you like them!)

      • — Jenn on July 22, 2023
      • Reply
  • Hi Jen! Would this recipe work baked in a 9×13 dish? I’ve made these several times and they are amazing and always a big hit. Just wondering if it would bake up ok as a “cake” and cut into smaller servings. I also wanted to say that my family loves all your recipes and we have been working through both of your cookbooks. My six year old son calls you the “Chef Lady” and whenever I make something new he is skeptical unless I tell him it is one of your recipes 🙂. We had to switch over to gluten free a couple years ago and every single recipe we’ve substituted the King Arthur 1:1 Gluten Free All Purpose flour for has turned out fantastic! Thank you for sharing all your knowledge and yummy recipes!

    • — Toni on June 25, 2023
    • Reply
    • Hi Toni, I’m very flattered to be the “chef lady“ in your house! 🙂
      Yes, I think you could convert this recipe and bake it in a 9 x 13“ baking dish. I’d love to hear how it turns out if you try it!

      • — Jenn on June 28, 2023
      • Reply
  • Moist, delicious, and the perfect amount of chocolate chips — I couldn’t keep my kids and husband away from them!!

    • — Sandy on April 4, 2023
    • Reply
  • very bad, waste of ingredients very dry and bitter no flavour absolutely horrible
    do not recommend!!!

    • — kakie on April 3, 2023
    • Reply
  • Very moist, excellent muffin!

    • — Ayl on March 11, 2023
    • Reply
  • I substituted blueberries for the the chocolate chips because I wanted a muffin recipe with sour cream to use up sour cream about to expire in my refrigerator. The best tasting muffin ever!!!
    Thank you for this recipe.

    • — Gail on January 31, 2023
    • Reply
  • I usually bake with unsalted butter but did not have any so I used salted. Waiting to see if I messed these up! 🙁

    • — Jennifer on January 24, 2023
    • Reply
    • Hi Jennifer, I hope they taste okay. For future reference, while it varies by brand, most salted butter has approximately 1/4 tsp. salt per stick, so you can use salted butter and reduce the salt in the recipe as needed. Hope that helps!

      • — Jenn on January 25, 2023
      • Reply

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