Rich Double Chocolate Chip Cherry Muffins

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Chocolate lovers, this recipe is for you! Incredibly moist, Rich Double Chocolate Chip Cherry Muffins are an explosion of indulgent flavor.

A white plate with a Double Chocolate Chip Muffin on a navy napkin.

Take a bite of a fresh-out-of-the-oven tender muffin and taste the intense double chocolate flavor and the deep tang of plump dried cherries. A quick recipe, you will be amazed at how easy it is to make these lofty and delicious muffins.

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Why You Will Love This Recipe
How to Make Muffins with Big Tops
Ingredients
How to Prepare the Recipe
FAQs
Quick and Easy Recipe
Recipe

Why You Will Love This Recipe

The pairing of double chocolate with the dried cherries creates deep flavor while the cherries add a tart contrast that makes each bite exciting. The delightful mix of textures - the tender crumb with gooey chocolate and chewy cherries - results in luscious muffins.

How to Make Muffins with Big Tops

A chocolate chip muffin in the muffin tin.

Here are a few tips for making impressive muffins with big tops.

Use room temperature ingredients. Take the eggs, sour cream, and milk out of the refrigerator 30-60 minutes before you start the recipe. This step will allow the batter to blend evenly resulting in a smoother batter.
Mix dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately. Mixing the dry ingredients separately allows the chemical leaveners to be evenly distributed and prevents clumps of leaveners which can cause uneven rising. Once the dry ingredients are combined with the wet, the formation of gluten will begin. Separately combining the ingredients helps to eliminate overmixing of the batter which results in tough muffins.
Use the correct tools when combining the ingredients. Use the proper tools to help incorporate the ingredients into a smooth batter without lumps. Start to mix the dry ingredients into the wet with a whisk. Once the batter starts to get thick, switch to a wooden spoon or a rubber spatula. You will be able to fold the mix-ins into the batter without overmixing.
Alternate the muffins in the tin. Alternating the filled muffin cups with empty cups in between improves air circulation thereby giving the muffins more room to rise. You will have double chocolate muffins with big rounded tops.
If muffins are a favorite, here is a cinnamon roll muffin recipe that is delicious! - https://tenpoundcakecompany.com/cinnamon-roll-muffins/

Ingredients

Many of the ingredients in this double chocolate chip muffin recipe are simple pantry items. Common kitchen tools such as muffin pans, bowls, a whisk, and a wooden spoon are needed.

Dry Ingredients

all-purpose flour
unsweetened cocoa powder
granulated sugar
baking powder
baking soda
salt

Wet Ingredients

unsalted butter
sour cream
eggs
whole milk
vanilla extract

Mix-Ins

semi-sweet chocolate chips or chunks
dried cherries

How to Prepare the Recipe

It is helpful to take the cold ingredients out of the refrigerator 30-60 before you make the muffins. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. I use paper muffin liners for easy cleanup.

Combine Batter Ingredients

Mix the dry ingredients - all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt - in a medium bowl with a whisk. Stir the ingredients thoroughly so the chemical leaveners are mixed throughout.

Combine the wet ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Mix the melted butter with the sour cream and whole milk with a whisk. Add the eggs and vanilla extract and stir to create a homogenous batter.

Add the flour mixture to the wet, adding small amounts and whisking together. This will help to eliminate lumps.
When the muffin batter gets too thick to use a whisk, switch to a wooden spoon or a rubber spatula.
After all the dry ingredients have been incorporated, fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chunks or chips and the dried cherries.

Muffin batter with chocolate chunks and dried cherries.

Stop mixing as soon as the ingredients are incorporated. You want muffins with a tender texture. Overmixing can lead to tough muffins.

Baking

Line a 12-cup muffin pan with 6 paper liners placed alternately with empty muffin cups in between. If you have a second muffin pan repeat the process. You can bake all 12 muffins at the same time. However, if you only have 1 pan, bake the muffins in two separate batches.

Unbaked muffins placed in alternate cups in muffin pan.

Bake the muffins for 10 minutes. Rotate the pan in the oven and bake for 10 more minutes. Check the top of the muffins to make sure they are set. A toothpick inserted in the center should be clean without wet batter. If not, continue baking for another 2 minutes. The final baking time will be 20-25 minutes.
Let the muffins rest for 5-10 minutes, then place them on a wire rack. Beware - melty chocolate can be hot.

FAQs

How should I store leftover muffins?

Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them in an airtight container or freezer bag. It helps to individually wrap the muffins in plastic wrap before freezing so they don't stick together.

Can I substitute ingredients like sour cream?

Yes, you can replace sour cream with full-fat Greek yogurt. However, I have found there is a difference in the amount of water in different brands of yogurt. Use a brand with a thickness like sour cream.

Quick and Easy Recipe

Rich Double Chocolate Chip Cherry Muffins combine the rich flavor of chocolate with the sweet tang of dried cherries. The result is a tender muffin, perfect for any time of the day. One of my favorite muffins, I love to share them with my neighbors and friends.

A Double Chocolate Chip Cherry Muffin on a white plate in front of a cooling rack.

Enjoy making and sharing your chocolate muffins. Make it a family affair and let everyone in on the fun. The muffins will soon be a favorite quick and easy recipe to bake.

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