Chocolate Chip Muffins with Streusel

This recipe can be easily reinvented: Replace the chocolate chips with the same amount of dried fruit. Canned or frozen fruit like blueberries work too–just remember to drain completely.


Yield 12 muffins  Prep Time 10 to 15 minutes  Baking Time 18 to 20 minutes

Dry ingredients
1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt

Wet ingredients
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 cup buttermilk or sour cream
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/4 cups chocolate chips

For the streusel
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
3 tablespoons (packed) brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup butter (cold)
1 teaspoon vanilla

1  Make the streusel: Preheat oven to 400ËšF. Grease and flour one regular-sized muffin tin (3-ounce cups). Sift together all the dry ingredients.

2  In another bowl, stir together all the wet ingredients.

3  Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients while stirring slowly. Mix just until the dry ingredients have been moistened—do not overmix (a super-smooth batter will result in heavy muffins). Fold in the chocolate chips.

4  Portion the batter into the tin. Sprinkle with streusel.

5  Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until the tops are a light gold and a toothpick inserted into center of loaf comes out crumb-free.

6  Take out muffin pan from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Remove muffins from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.

7  Make the muffins: With a pastry cutter or a fork, cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles cornmeal. Store in the refrigerator.  

8  In a mixer, mix on low speed with paddle attachment until it comes together.

9  To use streusel: Take a handful of the mixture and press it together inside your palm. The mixture will bind together. Crumble onto the tops of muffin batter orloaf batter.

Tip This recipe can be accomplished using small loaf pans too. Fill the pan two-thirds full with batter and lower the oven temperature to 375ËšF. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into center of loaf comes out crumb-free.

Photography by Ocs Alvarez  │ Food Styling by Melanie Jimenez  │ Prop Styling by Gwyn Guanzon

• Mavs Apr 12 2010 @ 01:10am Report Abuse

     

  What is streusel?