Muffins are the friendliest of baked goods, don't you think? There is just something about a muffin in the morning, as an after school snack, or snuck into a lunchbox that just makes everything feel alright. I've always felt like I earn extra momma points every time I make muffins. These Dark Chocolate Olive Oil Muffins are no exception. The olive oil adds a hint of sophistication, but they are still the friendly, comforting, delicious little morsels we all know and love; Sure to put a smile on anyone's face, no matter what. These muffins are moist, tender, full of chocolate flavor and topped with streusel. Not just any streusel though - oh no - we're topping these with a chocolate streusel.
Baked with Love
Like I wrote above, there is just something special about muffins for me and for my family. I can't tell you exactly what it is. Maybe because I taught myself to make them when my kids were very young and they usually sat on the counter and helped me. Who knows, but they are just always a welcome sight in the kitchen. I love having a great big glass cookie jar full of them. I don't long for the day my kids head off to college, but I do look forward to the chance to be able to send them homemade goodies, especially their favorite muffins. If I can't hug them and see them everyday, at least I can show my love like I always have: by feeding them. (I'm not crying, I'm not crying...)
I know I've told you all this before, but muffins were not a part of my childhood. While my dad was an amazing home cook, he wasn't a big baker. He made a few things and he made them incredibly well: cherry or apple crisp or brown betty in his favorite cast iron dutch oven, cheesecakes galore at Christmas time, and bread. I didn't really start making or eating muffins until my son was old enough to start eating them and then they quickly became a very regular part of our lives. I make banana muffins most frequently; they are my daughter's favorite and they are the perfect way to use up over-ripe bananas which we always, always seem to have.
Olive Oil?
I'm always looking to shake things up in the kitchen and I love trying new recipes and ingredients. So these Dark Chocolate Olive Oil Muffins were born one day when I had some chocolate chunks to use up and I just wanted to try something different. As much as I love butter (and you know I do), oil makes for very moist muffins and cakes and it's always ready to go - no softening or melting.
If you've never tried olive oil in your baking, you're in for a real treat. It adds a depth of flavor and is an easy option if you don't have butter softened. The flavor of olive oil also pairs well with chocolate.
Check out these other olive oil treats
Dark Chocolate Olive Oil Cookies from Displaced Housewife
One Bowl Olive Oil Zucchini Bread from Buttermilk by Sam
Classic Olive Oil Cake from Bake From Scratch Magazine
Lemon Olive Oil Semifreddo from Wild Thistle Kitchen
Although I do love the sophistication and gourmet-ness the olive oil brings, feel free to use any neutral oil you have on hand. Or, of course, feel free to use melted butter.
A few muffin tips:
Do not, I repeat, DO NOT over-mix your batter. Lumps are good. Even itty bitty bits of flour still showing is fine. Muffin batter should be lumpy and ugly. Your self-restraint will be rewarded when you bite into a tender, fluffy muffin. If you over-mix you will have a tough, dense, dry, heavy muffin.
There are all kinds of tips and tricks on how to get the tallest, most domed muffin tops. I'm not a fan of starting at a higher temp and then lowering. I like to just toss them in the oven and walk away. My trick? Let your batter sit for 20 minutes once you scoop it into the pans. This allows the baking soda to start doing it's magic.
Don't over-bake your muffins. I err on the side of underdone as they will have a little bit of carry-over cooking. Around the 15 minute mark, press the tops just lightly with your finger. If they spring back, they are done. If they leave an indentation, give them another minute or so. You can also check with a toothpick; just insert and if you see a few moist crumbs they are done. If you see wet batter, give them a little more time.
Looking for more muffinspiration?
Cinnamon Sugar Cream Cheese Muffins
Blueberry Cardamom Jam Muffins
Easy One Bowl Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins
Chocolate Olive Oil Muffins with Chocolate Streusel
These Dark Chocolate Olive Oil Muffins are so special and so irresistible! Moist, tender, full of chocolate flavor and topped with chocolate(!!) streusel.
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins
Ingredients
streusel:
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 4 tablespoons butter
Muffins:
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup cocoa (if you have it, use ¼ cup black cocoa and ¼ cup regular cocoa)
- 1 teaspoon espresso powder
- 1.5 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 eggs
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil (you want that FLAVOR!)
- 1 cup chocolate chunks
Instructions
For the streusel:
- In a small bowl, combine all streusel ingredients. Using a fork or your fingers, mash or pinch together until you have a crumbly mixture that sticks together when you pinch it.
For the muffins:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Line 12 cup muffin tin with liners.
- In a large bowl, mix together flour, cocoa, espresso powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. set aside.
- In a separate medium bowl, mix together eggs, brown sugar, milk, vanilla, vinegar, and olive oil until well combined. I prefer a whisk for this.
- Next, pour wet ingredients into dry and fold a few times with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon (not a whisk!).
- Add chocolate chunks and continue folding gently. making sure to get the bottom of the bowl, until you have a mostly mixed, but very lumpy batter.
- Divide batter between 12 lined muffin cups, filling right up to the top but not over. Divide streusel evenly between muffins, pressing down just slightly so it sticks to the batter.
- Let pan sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before baking.
- Bake muffins for 15-18 minutes until just set and no wet batter remains in center. Make sure if you check with a toothpick that you are not confusing the chocolate chunks for wet batter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: breakfast, snack
- Method: baking
Looking for more muffinspiration?
Cinnamon Sugar Cream Cheese Muffins
Blueberry Cardamom Jam Muffins
Nathan says
Those muffins look amazing! I love the use of extra virgin olive oil. Thanks for the recipe!
Erin, The Frozen Biscuit says
I just saved these to my breakfast and brunch pinterest board where i know i will always refer back to them! I love chocolate muffins so much. These could not look more delicious and i cannot wait to make them. Chocolate struesel. Amazing. Love the olive oil touch too. Also, is the vinegar sort of like using sour cream in chocolate cake or is there a baking mechanism that goes on?
So delicious, can't wait to bake these!!
Xoxo, erin 🙂
Sharon says
Anita - these look amazing!! What kind of vinegar do you use exactly?
Anita Parris Soule | Cook on a Whim says
Hi Sharon! I guess that would be useful info, huh?? Just plain white vinegar. I will update the post now with that little detail. Thanks so much for your comment! Let me know if you give them a try! - Anita