Chocolate Muffins

Chocolate muffins -- are they a breakfast treat or dessert? It's up to you... these could be either! The basics for this recipe are ingredients you probably keep on hand. Then change it up depending on the occasion. Add dried fruit and nuts for a healthier version. Add candy and other confections to make them really decadent!

Essential Kitchen Gadgets

• Mixer (stand, hand or the old-fashioned non-electric beaters)
• Muffin pan

Basic Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 Tbsp baking soda
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 6 Tbsp canola oil
• 1 cup of your choice of dry goodies

Today I used chopped up Hershey's candies and raisins. Here are some other suggestions, but use anything that sounds good to you:

• dried cherries and white chocolate chips
• butterscotch chips and mini marshmallows
• dehydrated banana pieces and chopped peanuts

Instructions

Mix flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. If you have a sifter, sift these ingredients together for a smoother batter. Whisk in sugar and set aside.

In mixing bowl, beat eggs on low and add milk and oil. Gradually add in dry ingredients. Once mixed, stir in your dry goodies.

Grease a 12-muffin tray (with or without muffin papers). Use an ice cream scoop to fill muffin cups with batter just shy of the top. Bake for 20 minutes in preheated 400 degree oven, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Remove muffins from tray and let cool on a wire rack. Once cool, store in an air-tight container until ready to serve.

Serving

All you need to eat this is a napkin to catch the crumbs. Makes them great as breakfast on the go or for taking to a picnic, office party, or to the home of a friend who invites you over for dinner!