Peppermint Hot Chocolate Muffins (Printable)
Moist chocolate muffins with peppermint, chocolate chips and crushed candies for a cozy, winter-ready treat.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
03 - 1 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
05 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 3/4 cup whole milk
09 - 1/2 cup vegetable oil
10 - 1 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
11 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
→ Add-ins
12 - 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
13 - 1/2 cup mini marshmallows (optional)
14 - 1/3 cup crushed peppermint candies
→ Topping
15 - Extra chocolate chips, for garnish
16 - Mini marshmallows, for garnish
17 - Additional crushed peppermint candies, for garnish
# How to Prepare:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly blended.
03 - In a separate bowl, beat eggs with whole milk, vegetable oil, peppermint extract, and vanilla extract until smooth.
04 - Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture and gently stir with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
05 - Carefully fold in the chocolate chips, mini marshmallows (if using), and crushed peppermint candies until evenly distributed.
06 - Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full.
07 - Sprinkle additional chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, and crushed peppermint candies over each portion as desired.
08 - Bake on the center rack for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin emerges with a few moist crumbs attached.
09 - Allow muffins to rest in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The combination of gooey chocolate pockets and peppermint crunch is like finding a hidden present in each bite.
- They're super quick to throw together, which means more time to actually enjoy them (preferably under a fuzzy blanket).
02 -
- Overmixing the batter really does lead to tough, sad muffins—I once learned this the chewy way.
- Adding the marshmallows on top just before baking gives that gooey, toasted look without melting away entirely.
03 -
- A little extra peppermint candy on top after baking adds crunch and brightness—you can never have too much.
- Don’t skip the wire rack: it’s the trick for muffins that aren’t too soggy on the bottoms.