Description
These muffins feature a soft chocolate exterior with a gooey molten chocolate and caramel center, perfect for a cozy treat or party dessert. Easy to make and impressive to serve, they combine rich chocolate flavor with a luscious caramel surprise.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup (35g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar (or half granulated and half brown sugar)
- ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup (120ml) whole milk or 2%
- ⅓ cup (100g) caramel sauce (thick and rich, homemade or store-bought)
- ½ cup (90g) chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or grease well.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat eggs and sugar until combined. Stir in melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract.
- Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix. Fold in chocolate chips if using.
- Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about halfway.
- Place about 1 teaspoon of caramel sauce in the center of each muffin cup, pressing gently but not touching edges.
- Top with remaining batter, filling cups almost to the top. Smooth tops with the back of a spoon.
- Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until tops are set but centers remain soft. Test by gently pressing the top; it should spring back slightly but feel soft underneath.
- Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm for maximum gooeyness.
Notes
Use thick caramel sauce to prevent leaking. Chill caramel dollops before stuffing to keep centered. Do not overmix batter to avoid dense muffins. Muffins are best served warm; reheat gently in microwave for 15-20 seconds to revive gooey centers. You can freeze assembled unbaked muffins and bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to baking time.
- Prep Time: 13 minutes
- Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 34
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: caramel stuffed muffins, chocolate lava muffins, gooey chocolate muffins, easy chocolate dessert, molten chocolate muffins, caramel chocolate dessert