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

  • I usually have all of these ingredients at home so it’s an easy dessert when my kids are craving something sweet (which is all the time.) So easy to make. I usually double the recipe and we eat them all week long.

  • So much better than bakery muffins. This is my go-to chocolate chip muffin recipe Every time the muffins come out light and fluffy and so yummy. Sometimes, you just need to start your day with a treat!

  • We love these muffins! So easy, and not overly sweet. Perfect goody in the morning.

  • I just made these yesterday and they were AMAZING. I’ve often substituted greek yogurt for the sour cream or just done regular size of chocolate chips and they always come out do delicious! Once I even forgot to put the butter in, and believe it or not, they were still good 🙂

  • Just made these today☺they were awesome!!!!!looked just like the picture too!

  • I made the mistake of baking these muffins for my boys, and the seven-year-old asks for “cookie muffins” all the time now. I’ve made them as instructed, but if I’m trying for a slightly healthier version, have successfully substituted half of the flour for white whole wheat, substituted Greek yogurt for the sour cream, and trimmed the sugar by a total 1/4 cup (could probably go a teeny bit further) and the boys didn’t notice a difference. OUAC is my go-to for consistently excellent recipes- thank you Jenn!

  • Can I make the dough ahead of time? If I wanted to make the dough tonight and let it sit in the fridge overnight, would it bake well in the morning for breakfast?

    • Hi B, Unfortunately, it won’t work to refrigerate the batter as the muffins won’t rise well when you go to bake them. If you’d like, you can mix the dry ingredients in one bowl and the wet in another and then combine them and proceed with the recipe when you’re ready to bake them.

  • So good! I’m surprised at how delicious and moist these are, especially since I replaced a 1/2 cup of the AP flour with whole wheat flour. They taste very similar to the chocolate chip muffins from Whole Foods. Thanks for the awesome recipe!

  • can this recipe be used for mini muffins instead of the regular size ? Thanks ALways love your recipes

    • — Roberta Herschenfeld
    • Reply
  • Jenn,
    Can I substitute dark brown sugar? That’s already in my pantry. I’ve gifted mini loaves of your chai spiced banana bread, cranberry nut, and lemon blueberry pound cake to friends this month. I needed to share holiday cheer during this time. I wrapped them up with a jar of honey from my brother’s bee hives in NJ! Rave reviews on your recipes as always,

    • Sounds like you’re spreading some holiday cheer! 🙂
      Yes, you can use dark brown sugar in place of light brown. Hope you’re recipients enjoy!

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