Just about everyone I know is a coffee-lover…they love to start their day with a morning cup of coffee (or two)! Some just like plain black coffee. Others like cream and sugar added in. I prefer just cream in my coffee, but I do like those slightly-sweet cappuccinos too! Cappuccinos are basically espressos combined with steamed and foamed milk, and the light sweetness comes from the milk. I thought this would be a great flavor for a muffin, and that’s how I came to make these Cappuccino Muffins.
I added some mini semi-sweet chocolate chips into the batter because chocolate goes so well with that coffee flavor. So you could enjoy these muffins for breakfast, brunch, a snack during a coffee break, or even dessert!
Cappuccino Muffins
CAPPUCCINO MUFFINS
Makes 15 muffins
2 1/2 cups all-purpose unbleached flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature
2 1/2 Tablespoons instant coffee granules
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 cup light olive oil (or substitute 1/2 cup melted butter*–see note in recipe instructions below)
1 1/3 cups mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Optional: additional mini chocolate chips (1 to 2 Tablespoons) for sprinkling on top of muffins after baking
Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line two 12-cup muffin pans with 15 paper liners; set aside.
In large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, sugar, cinnamon, and salt; set aside.
In a small bowl, add the buttermilk and instant coffee granules, stirring until granules dissolve or mostly dissolve, then add in the eggs, vanilla extract, and oil. Stir this mixture into the flour mixture in the other bowl, mixing everything together just until combined. (*Note: if using melted butter instead of oil, add this into the flour mixture after all the other wet ingredients have been stirred in.) Last, fold in the mini chocolate chips.
Fill lined muffin cups with batter, filling about 3/4 full.
Bake at 350˚F for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean. Cool muffins in pan for a few minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
If desired, add a few more chocolate chips to the top of each muffin right after you take them out of the oven. The chips will get a little melty, and that will make them stick to the muffin tops. Then remove to a wire rack to cool completely.
Recipe from NancyC | nancy-c.com
Are you a coffee-lover yourself? It’s a great way to start the day—sitting in your comfy chair with a good cup of coffee (and maybe one of these muffins!). Sometimes it’s the only time in our busy day we can enjoy peaceful quiet moments as we prepare ourselves for whatever the day holds. And each new morning is a beautiful reminder that no matter how crazy things may be, every day brings a fresh start! Lamentations 3:22–23 (GNT) reminds us, The LORD’s unfailing love and mercy still continue, fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise. It’s a promise we can aways hold on to!
NancyC 