Decadent Chocolate Cake Recipe for Indulgent Treats
Are you looking for a perfect breakfast item to pair with your morning coffee? Well, look no further than my Coffee Break Muffins recipe. These delicious muffins are easy to make and will have you feeling ready to tackle the day ahead.
The best part about this recipe is that it combines the flavor of coffee cake with the portability of muffins. So, whether you’re in a rush to get out the door or sitting down for a leisurely brunch, these muffins are the perfect choice.
In this article, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to create these delectable treats right in the comfort of your own kitchen. From the ingredient list and recipe how-to to serving suggestions and make-ahead advice, I’ve got you covered.
So buckle up, grab your apron, and get ready to impress your friends and family with my Coffee Break Muffin recipe.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re a fan of coffee cake, then you’ll absolutely love these Coffee Break Muffins! Not only do they combine the delicious flavor of coffee cake in a portable muffin form, but they also contain the rich taste and aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
Imagine biting into a warm muffin that’s infused with the perfect amount of coffee flavor and swirled with cinnamon sugar crumbles. With each bite, you’ll experience the unmistakable taste of a classic coffee cake but in a more manageable and convenient size.
One of the greatest things about this recipe is how easy it is to whip up. You don’t have to be an expert baker as these muffins come together in no time with simple ingredients, many of which are already in your pantry.
And if nuts and raisins aren’t your thing, don’t worry! This recipe is versatile enough for many variations, from banana nut or chocolate chip muffins to blueberry muffins or even a classic streusel-topped coffee cake.
So next time you’re craving something sweet with your morning cup of joe, give these Coffee Break Muffins a try – you won’t regret it!
Ingredient List
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups cake flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
Wet Ingredients and Mix-ins:
- 4 eggs
- 3/4 cup canola oil
- 1 1/4 cups milk
- 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
For the Crumb Topping:
- 1/3 cup cake flour
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/5 cup butter, melted
Note: If you don’t have cake flour, for every cup of all-purpose flour you can substitute 2 tablespoons with cornstarch; therefore, this recipe requires 3 cups of all-purpose flour mixed with 6 tablespoons of cornstarch.
The Recipe How-To
Now that you have all the ingredients ready, it’s time to start making these delicious coffee break muffins! Follow these step-by-step instructions below to create the perfect breakfast or afternoon snack:
Preheat and Prepare
-
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
-
Grease a muffin tin with butter or cooking spray.
Make the Muffin Batter
-
In a medium bowl whisk together the dry ingredients:
- 2 cups cake flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoon espresso powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
-
In a separate large bowl, beat together:
- 1 cup unsalted room temperature butter
- 1 3/4 cup granulated sugar
until light and fluffy (approximately 4 minutes).
-
Add in one egg at a time, beating in between each egg until fully incorporated, then add:
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
and combine.
-
In another separate bowl combine:
- 3/4 cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoons instant espresso powder
-
Combine both wet ingredients bowl and dry ingredients bowl slowly; continuously mix until just combined. Do NOT overmix.
-
Fold in:
-
1 cup of raisins and/or walnuts (optional)
Muffin Crumb Topping
-
In another small mixing bowl, whisk together:
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
-
Add the crumb mixture into a small saucepan along with:
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter,
mix well with fingers until mixture becomes loose crumbs.
Putting it all Together
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Pour the muffin batter into each muffin cup, and sprinkle about a tablespoon of the crumb topping on each one.
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Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
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Once finished baking, place the muffins out onto a cooling rack to cool down.
Now you have the perfect recipe for delicious coffee break muffins! Enjoy these tasty treats with a warm cup of coffee or latte.
Substitutions and Variations
Making substitutions and variations is one of the best ways to put a personal touch on this easy coffee cake muffin recipe. Whether you’re missing an ingredient or you simply want to change up the flavors, here are some ideas that can help you customize these muffins to suit your liking.
For the coffee flavor:
If you don’t have instant espresso powder, replace it with instant coffee granules or omit it entirely. You may also try using brewed coffee in place of some of the milk for added coffee notes.
For the raisins and walnuts:
If you’re not a fan of raisins, swap them out with dried cranberries or chopped dried apricots. For a nut-free version, omit the walnuts altogether, or add pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or flax seeds instead.
For the crumble topping:
The delicious crumble topping is optional, but it adds a lovely crunch and sweetness to these muffins. If desired, try using brown sugar instead of granulated sugar, or adding some rolled oats for extra texture.
For the flour:
To make gluten-free muffins, use an all-purpose gluten-free flour blend instead of regular cake flour. You may also use all-purpose flour if you don’t have cake flour on hand. To substitute for whole wheat flour, use half whole wheat and half all-purpose flour to avoid making these muffins too dense.
For the cinnamon swirl:
The cinnamon swirl adds a beautiful spiral pattern and sweet cinnamon flavor throughout each muffin. If you prefer, replace the ground cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice or chai spice blend for added warmth and depth.
With these substitutions and variations in mind, these coffee break muffins can be transformed into endless variations. They are incredibly versatile and can be tailored to anyone’s taste buds.
Serving and Pairing
The Coffee Break Muffins recipe is a perfect breakfast or snack that pairs well with a cup of coffee or tea. These muffins are not too sweet, making them the ideal pairing for your morning or afternoon caffeine fix. The subtle hint of espresso in the muffins adds a deliciously bold coffee flavor that will wake up your taste buds.
For an indulgent treat, try serving these muffins alongside a steaming hot latte or cappuccino, as the airy milk foam and rich espresso flavors will perfectly complement the light, fluffy texture of the muffins.
If you’re looking for another caffeinated beverage to pair with these tasty muffins, why not try cold brew coffee? The smooth and refreshing cold brew pairs excellently with the warm, comforting flavors of the muffins.
On the other hand, if you prefer to pair your baked goods with something non-caffeinated, a glass of cold milk or hot cocoa would be ideal. This is especially true if you’re serving these muffins as a dessert.
Lastly, you can always enjoy these muffins on their own. They make an excellent stand-alone snack; however, they are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven when they have just been baked and still have their irresistible aroma.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
These coffee break muffins can be made ahead of time and stored for future use. To make them ahead of time, follow the recipe as usual and bake the muffins. Once cooled, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days.
If you want to store the muffins for longer periods, put them in the freezer. Allow them to cool completely after baking and wrap each muffin individually with plastic wrap. Place them in a freezer-friendly container or freezer-safe bag and store them for up to three months.
When reheating, take out the frozen muffins from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature for a few hours. You can also reheat the muffins in a microwave oven directly from the freezer or by allowing them first to thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
For those who enjoy a crispy texture on their muffins, reheat them in the microwave oven for 15-20 seconds, or you can warm them up in an oven preheated at 350F (175C) for approximately 5 minutes. Do not overheat so that they don’t dry out.
Enjoy these delicious coffee break muffins anytime by making them ahead of time and storing them properly!
Tips for Perfect Results
To make the perfect coffee break muffins, there are some tips that you need to keep in mind. One of the most important things is to use fresh ingredients. Make sure your baking powder is not expired, your butter is not rancid, and your eggs are not past their expiration date. The quality of your ingredients will greatly affect the taste and texture of your muffins.
Another tip is to measure your ingredients precisely. Baking is a science and requires exact measurements. Use measuring cups and spoons instead of eyeballing the amounts. This way, you can ensure consistency in your muffins every time.
When mixing the batter, be careful not to overmix as it can result in tough and dense muffins. Mix until just combined, and do not worry about small lumps in the batter.
To get a nice rise and fluffy texture in your muffins, it’s crucial to preheat your oven to the recommended temperature before baking. Also, avoid opening the oven door during the first 10-15 minutes of baking as this can cause the muffins to sink and lose their lift.
Lastly, allow the muffins to cool for a few minutes before removing them from the pan. Running a knife around the edges can help loosen them from the pan without breaking apart. Serve warm with a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your coffee break muffins turn out perfectly every time.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, there is no better way to enjoy your coffee break than with a warm and delicious Coffee Break Muffin. These muffins are easy to prepare and packed with flavor, making them the perfect breakfast or snack option for any coffee lover. Plus, with the option to substitute ingredients and add variations, you can always mix things up and experiment until you find your perfect recipe.
So the next time you make yourself a cup of coffee, don’t forget to add a batch of Coffee Break Muffins to go along with it! Follow the recipe instructions and tips provided in this article and let the aroma of freshly baked muffins fill your home. Trust me; you won’t regret it.
Coffee Break Muffins Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon coffee, brewed double-strength (or 1/2 shot home espresso)
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
- 1 cup raisins
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup butter
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/4 cups cake flour, siftedx
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
- In small bowl, marinate raisins and walnuts in coffee overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350°F Grease or line muffin cups (28 needed).
- Cream sugar with butter until light and fluffy.
- Beat eggs into mixture one at a time.
- Sift a little flour over nuts and raisins in coffee.
- Resift remaining flour together with baking soda and salt.
- Into large bowl, add dry ingredients alternately with milk and egg mixture; beat after each addition until smooth.
- Fold in coffee, nut and raisin mixture.
- Fill cups 2/3 full and bake 25 minutes until set (toothpick test works).
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
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