chocolate peanut butter muffins;
We’re not more than a few weeks into the New Year, and of course that means we need chocolate! I mean that’s just about the best way to start off a new year right? And what better way than with these chocolate peanut butter muffins? Easy to make and then snack on for breakfast. Is anyone else busy with a crazy schedule?
We traveled up to NYC to see our annual Big Apple Circus with my extended family and eat deliciousness at Blue Smoke. That means ribs, fried chicken, homemade BBQ potato chips, sweet potato mash, apple crumble, and key lime pie. Seriously, it’s decadent, I highly recommend if you’re in the NYC area.
For New Year’s Eve proper, we had a friend fly in from Michigan, which was lovely. We spent the day with some of my favorite people, went out to dinner, played crazy games, and drank in the New Year! And once she left I had to entertain myself somehow, so I turned to bake these chocolate peanut butter muffins. Comfort food at its best. How did you spend your New Year’s Eve? I hope it was wonderful and you have a great year to look forward to.
So now, even though those new year’s resolutions have started to settle in, we still need to make time for indulgence. Don’t expect this to be a “healthy” recipe, because it’s not. Sorry, I’m not on that bandwagon. Winter months make me want to be warm and snuggly and a fresh-baked muffin is perfect for that. I mean, who doesn’t want some chocolate peanut butter goodness for breakfast? I can’t pass this off as a healthy recipe, but it sure is delicious!
I was just craving a chocolate muffin, and since I buy crazy chocolate chips whenever I see them at the grocery store, I figured why not throw a few in? This batch’s chips came from a bag that was a mix of peanut butter and milk chocolate. So voila, chocolate peanut butter muffins.
You could really adapt these muffins any way you please though. Have dark chocolate chunks? Throw those guys in. Have Reese’s Peanut Butter Chips? Throw those guys in. Mint chocolate chips? Throw those guys in. And throw some of those guys in my mouth too while you’re at it. I’m not gonna lie to you, it pretty much happens without fail when I bake. Eating chocolate comes with the territory.
To make this recipe, I embellished Life Made Simple Bakes double chocolate muffin and added an easy brown sugar crumble on top. The inspiration for the crumble actually came from my favorite chocolate muffin from The Corner Bakery. I like the extra subtle change of texture with the crumble on top. Of course, you could also leave it off and still have a delicious muffin! You’re here for the chocolate after all, not the brown sugar! I also like that the peanut butter chips lend some peanut butter flavor, but it’s not overwhelming. The word chocolate comes first in the title chocolate peanut butter muffins after all!
Looking for other new year recipes? Check out these recipes, sure to happily ring in the New Year!
- For a festive fall muffin, check out these pumpkin spice muffins.
- Looking for a fun party idea? Check out this mimosa bar to bring in the new year. Perfect for midnight, or a morning brunch the next day!
- Or check out this chocolate tart that I also made at New Year’s! It’s fun and festive, but can be made any time of the year really.
chocolate peanut butter muffins;
Ingredients
Muffin
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 6 Tbsp cocoa powder
- 6 Tbsp hot water
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 1⅔ cups flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¾ cup sour cream or greek yogurt
- 1⅓ cups peanut butter chips
Crumble
- ¼ cup flour
- 2 Tbsp butter melted
- ¼ cup brown sugar
Instructions
Crumble
- Mix together all ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
Muffins
- In a large bowl, combine sugar and oil. Beat together then add cocoa and hot water. Add together until mixed.
- Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until combined.
- Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and mix together. Then add sour cream and mix until combined. Do not over-mix.
- Fold in the peanut butter chips. Add cup liners to a muffin tin.
- Fill the liners evenly with batter, approx. ½ – ⅔ full sprinkle with crumble, then bake 7 minutes at 400°F.
- Reduce heat to 350°F and bake 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool completely before serving.
