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Sometimes finding a wholesome afternoon snack that is comforting and budget-friendly can be a chore. That is exactly why we love having a homemade treat stored in the pantry and ready to go the moment those cravings hit.

These Bakery-Style Double Chocolate Muffins offer the absolute best of both worlds by packing intensely rich chocolate into a wholesome, family-friendly muffin. My tip is to use a smart blend of all-purpose and whole-wheat flour along with rich Dutch-processed cocoa; this will give you that signature high-domed bakery look with ultimate texture. This is a fast, kid-friendly recipe that will fill that snack craving!

A plate with a whole chocolate muffin and a halved muffin sits in front of a cooling rack filled with more chocolate muffins. The muffins are dark and studded with chocolate chips.


 

What are Double Chocolate Muffins?

Double chocolate muffins are rich, cocoa-infused baked treats loaded with chocolate chips in every single bite. This recipe relies on a high-moisture base of sour cream and melted butter to ensure the muffins stay soft and cake-like rather than dense and dry.

Key Takeaways

  • Ready to serve in less than an hour!
  • Made with simple, pantry ingredients.
  • Easy to make with the kids.
  • Perfect for a quick snack or morning breakfast.
  • Copycat recipe for the Costco Double Chocolate Muffin!

Ingredient Notes

Four images show the process of making chocolate cookie dough: ingredients arranged on a counter, dough forming in a bowl, chocolate chips being added, and the final mixed dough with a spatula.

Butter: Melts down to give the muffins a rich, unmistakable bakery flavor and velvety texture.

Dutch-Processed Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This cocoa is treated to reduce acidity, resulting in an incredibly dark color and a smoother, deeper chocolate flavor in your muffins.

Granulated Sugar: Balances out the robust, bitter edge to the chocolate powder.

Baking Powder: The leavening agent responsible for giving the muffins those beautiful, high-domed tops.

Salt: Standard baking essential that rounds out the flavor.

Pure Vanilla Extract: Adds additional aromatic flavor to the chocolate.

Eggs: Provide the liquid structure to the muffins.

Milk: When combined with eggs, provides the liquid structure to the muffins and binds the batter together.

Sour Cream: This is the secret weapon to the best chocolate muffins. The acidity softens the gluten bonds, ensuring a tender crumb that stays moist for days.

Whole-Wheat Flour: Used in the flour blend to provide a structurally sound muffin.

All-Purpose Flour: Combined with whole-wheat flour to provide the structure for the muffins.

Chocolate Chips: Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips give the muffins a sweet bite.

Coarse Sugar: Sprinkled on top right before baking to give them a professional bakery finish.

How to Make Double Chocolate Muffins

A muffin tin with twelve cups, each filled with chocolate muffin batter and topped with chocolate chips, sits on a light-colored countertop.
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line it with paper liners.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, salt, and vanilla until well combined and fluffy.
  3. Add the eggs and mix until smooth.
  4. Stir in the milk and sour cream until fully combined.
  5. Add both flours and mix just until incorporated.
  6. Fold in the chocolate chips.
  7. Divide the batter evenly between the muffin cups. The cups will be quite full.
  8. Sprinkle the tops with coarse sugar if desired.
  9. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. Melted chocolate on the toothpick is fine.
  10. Let the muffins cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Pro Tips for the Best Double Chocolate Muffins

A collage of four images showing chocolate muffins: muffins in a baking tray, a close-up of a single muffin, a group of stacked muffins, and a tray of muffins topped with chocolate chips and sugar.
  • Dutch-processed cocoa powder gives these muffins a deep, rich flavor.
  • Do not overmix the batter once the flour is added or the muffins will become dense.
  • Whole milk and sour cream keep the muffins extra moist and tender.
  • Use a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffin to check if they are done; if it comes out clean, it’s time to take them out of the oven.
  • For a bakery-style look, add a few chocolate chips right on top before baking.
  • Keep ingredients at room temperature to properly blend.
  • Be sure to gently fold in the chocolate chips.
  • If the batter is too thick, use a cookie scoop to fill the muffin cups.

Variations and Substitutions

A muffin tin holds twelve freshly baked double chocolate chip muffins, each with a domed top and visible chocolate chips, set on a light-colored countertop.
  • Plain yogurt can be used in place of the sour cream.
  • All-purpose flour or wheat pastry flour can be used instead of the combination of flour if preferred.
  • Mini chocolate chips work great if you want even more throughout the muffins.
  • King-Arthur Cocoa is perfect for this recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my muffins dry?

Muffins can turn out dry if there isn’t enough fat or if they are baked too long. Ensure you use the full amount of butter and sour cream, and start checking them with a toothpick a couple of minutes before the timer goes off.

What is the difference between regular cocoa powder and Dutch-processed cocoa powder?

Dutch-processed cocoa powder has been neutralized, making it darker, more mellow, and less bitter than natural cocoa powder.

Can I use whole-wheat flour only?

Yes, you can use only whole-wheat flour; however, it will make the muffin dense and not as cake-like as the mixture of whole-wheat and all-purpose.

Can I make these into cupcakes?

While these are rich and decadent, muffin batter has a denser crumb than cake batter. If you do want to turn them into cupcakes, add a little bit of chocolate or cream cheese frosting on top.

What to Serve with Double Chocolate Muffins

Freshly baked chocolate muffins with chocolate chips are cooling on a metal wire rack, with a light-colored towel partially visible on the right side.

Fresh Strawberries

Cold Brew Coffee

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

Candied Bacon

Breakfast Sausage

Storage and Reheating

Room Temperature

Keep the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Freezer

Add individual muffins to freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to serve them, just place them on the counter or in the lunchbox in the morning, and they will be thawed and ready by lunchtime.

More Muffin Recipes

With just a mixing bowl and 30 minutes in the oven, these Bakery-Style Double Chocolate Muffins are ready to serve. They can be stored and added to lunches, served for breakfast, or as an afternoon treat.

A muffin tin holds twelve freshly baked double chocolate chip muffins, each with a domed top and visible chocolate chips, set on a light-colored countertop.
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Double Chocolate Muffins

These Double Chocolate Chip Muffins are rich, moist, and packed with chocolate flavor in every bite. They have a soft, bakery-style texture with melty chocolate chips throughout and a sprinkle of coarse sugar on top for the perfect little crunch.
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Servings: 12 muffins
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Ingredients 

  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • cup Dutch-processed unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup milk, whole milk works great
  • cup sour cream
  • 1 cup white whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • cups chocolate chips
  • Coarse sugar, for topping

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line it with paper liners.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, salt, and vanilla until well combined and fluffy.
  • Add the eggs and mix until smooth.
  • Stir in the milk and sour cream until fully combined.
  • Add both flours and mix just until incorporated.
  • Fold in the chocolate chips.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the muffin cups. The cups will be quite full.
  • Sprinkle the tops with coarse sugar if desired.
  • Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean. Melted chocolate on the toothpick is fine.
  • Let the muffins cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Notes

  • Dutch-processed cocoa powder gives these muffins a deep, rich chocolate flavor and darker color.
  • Be careful not to overmix the batter once the flour is added or the muffins may become dense.
  • Whole milk and sour cream help keep the muffins extra moist and tender.
  • Plain yogurt works well in place of sour cream if needed.
  • You can use all all-purpose flour or all whole wheat pastry flour instead of the flour combination listed.
  • Mini chocolate chips work great if you want more even chocolate throughout the muffins.
  • Sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top before baking for a bakery-style look.
  • These muffins freeze very well. Let them cool completely, then store in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months.
  • They’re perfect for birthdays, holidays, or anytime you want a chocolatey treat that feels just a little more homemade and hearty than cupcakes.

Nutrition

Calories: 361kcal, Carbohydrates: 50g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.3g, Cholesterol: 53mg, Sodium: 248mg, Potassium: 204mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 31g, Vitamin A: 340IU, Vitamin C: 0.1mg, Calcium: 101mg, Iron: 2mg
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