Dark Chocolate Blueberry Muffins {Crazy Cooking Challenge}

I am a dark chocolate fanatic.  Well, actually ... I'm an any-kind-of-chocolate fanatic.  But I especially adore dark chocolate.  So when I stumbled across these Dark Chocolate Blueberry Muffins from how Sweet it is, I knew I had found my go-to recipe for this month's 'blueberry muffins' Crazy Cooking Challenge.  Didn't have to look any further.  Nope.  Not one bit further.

I mean really, what could be better than two of my favorite things - dark chocolate and blueberries - together in one muffin?  I loved the concept of including chopped dark chocolate in the batter.  The chopped chocolate melts right into the cooked muffin, making it super moist and super chocolatey.  It's sooooo good!  I did wonder, though, if semi-sweet chocolate chips would work instead of the chopped dark chocolate.  So I tried it.  Well, it works ... but it's not nearly as good.  The chocolate chips keep much of their shape inside the cooked muffins instead of melting into the cooking batter liked the chopped chocolate.  So instead of a smooth, super moist, richly-chocolatey muffin experience - you get a little-less moist, little-less rich crumb with a hunk of chocolate in the bite.  All-in-all, not bad ... just not as good as the original.

So my recommendation - stick with the chopped dark chocolate.  You won't regret it.

Dark Chocolate Blueberry Muffins
Source:  Adapted from how Sweet it is

Ingredients
2 c. white whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 T. dark cocoa powder
2/3 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 c. butter, melted
1 c. milk
1 c. fresh blueberries
1/4 c. chopped dark chocolate (I used Dove dark chocolates)


Directions
1.  Combine flour, baking soda, salt, cocoa powder, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.  Use a whisk to stir in the egg, vanilla, melted butter, and milk; mix until just combined.

2.  Gently fold in blueberries and chopped dark chocolate.

3.  Line a muffin pan with paper liners.  Spoon batter into liners, dividing equally between 12 to 15 muffin cups.

4.  Bake at 350 degrees for 14 to 18 minutes, or until muffins are cooked through (mine took 18 minutes).  Let muffins cool in the pan for about 5 minutes; remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!

Have fun visiting the other Crazy Cooking Challenge participants through the linky party below!

{Click to view my other Crazy Cooking Challenge entries}

This post is linked with Sweets for a Saturday hosted by Sweet as Sugar Cookies, Strut Your Stuff Saturday hosted by Six Sisters' Stuff, Sweet Indulgences Sunday hosted by A Well-Seasoned Life, Think Pink Sundays hosted by Flamingo Toes, Sundae Scoop hosted by I {heart} Naptime, Sunday Showcase Party hosted by Under the Table and Dreaming, Mangia Mondays hosted by Shine Your Light, Crazy Sweet Tuesday hosted by Crazy for Crust, Totally Tasty Tuesdays hosted by Mandy's Recipe Box, Tuesday Talent Show hosted by Chef in Training, Mrs. Fox's Sweet Party hosted by Mrs. Fox's Sweets, Cast Party Wednesday hosted by Lady Behind the Curtain, Share Your Creations hosted by Kristen's Creations, It's a Keeper Thursday hosted by It's a Keeper, Inspiration Friday hosted by At the Picket Fence, Foodie Friday hosted by Rattlebridge Farm.

I am a dark chocolate fanatic.  Well, actually ... I'm an any-kind-of-chocolate fanatic.  But I especially adore dark chocolate.  So when I stumbled across these Dark Chocolate Blueberry Muffins from how Sweet it is, I knew I had found my go-to recipe for this month's 'blueberry muffins' Crazy Cooking Challenge.  Didn't have to look any further.  Nope.  Not one bit further.

I mean really, what could be better than two of my favorite things - dark chocolate and blueberries - together in one muffin?  I loved the concept of including chopped dark chocolate in the batter.  The chopped chocolate melts right into the cooked muffin, making it super moist and super chocolatey.  It's sooooo good!  I did wonder, though, if semi-sweet chocolate chips would work instead of the chopped dark chocolate.  So I tried it.  Well, it works ... but it's not nearly as good.  The chocolate chips keep much of their shape inside the cooked muffins instead of melting into the cooking batter liked the chopped chocolate.  So instead of a smooth, super moist, richly-chocolatey muffin experience - you get a little-less moist, little-less rich crumb with a hunk of chocolate in the bite.  All-in-all, not bad ... just not as good as the original.

So my recommendation - stick with the chopped dark chocolate.  You won't regret it.

Dark Chocolate Blueberry Muffins
Source:  Adapted from how Sweet it is

Ingredients
2 c. white whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 T. dark cocoa powder
2/3 c. brown sugar
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 c. butter, melted
1 c. milk
1 c. fresh blueberries
1/4 c. chopped dark chocolate (I used Dove dark chocolates)


Directions
1.  Combine flour, baking soda, salt, cocoa powder, brown sugar, and cinnamon in a large mixing bowl.  Use a whisk to stir in the egg, vanilla, melted butter, and milk; mix until just combined.

2.  Gently fold in blueberries and chopped dark chocolate.

3.  Line a muffin pan with paper liners.  Spoon batter into liners, dividing equally between 12 to 15 muffin cups.

4.  Bake at 350 degrees for 14 to 18 minutes, or until muffins are cooked through (mine took 18 minutes).  Let muffins cool in the pan for about 5 minutes; remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!

Have fun visiting the other Crazy Cooking Challenge participants through the linky party below!

{Click to view my other Crazy Cooking Challenge entries}

This post is linked with Sweets for a Saturday hosted by Sweet as Sugar Cookies, Strut Your Stuff Saturday hosted by Six Sisters' Stuff, Sweet Indulgences Sunday hosted by A Well-Seasoned Life, Think Pink Sundays hosted by Flamingo Toes, Sundae Scoop hosted by I {heart} Naptime, Sunday Showcase Party hosted by Under the Table and Dreaming, Mangia Mondays hosted by Shine Your Light, Crazy Sweet Tuesday hosted by Crazy for Crust, Totally Tasty Tuesdays hosted by Mandy's Recipe Box, Tuesday Talent Show hosted by Chef in Training, Mrs. Fox's Sweet Party hosted by Mrs. Fox's Sweets, Cast Party Wednesday hosted by Lady Behind the Curtain, Share Your Creations hosted by Kristen's Creations, It's a Keeper Thursday hosted by It's a Keeper, Inspiration Friday hosted by At the Picket Fence, Foodie Friday hosted by Rattlebridge Farm.