Gooey Caramel Chocolate Chunk Muffins Recipe

Buttery Caramel Chocolate Chunk Muffins Recipe: Morning Magic

Mornings burst with sweetness when you sink your teeth into these irresistible caramel chocolate chunk muffins that promise pure indulgence.

Rich chocolate melts against soft, tender crumbs while golden caramel weaves its magic through every delectable bite.

Warm spices dance subtly in the background, creating a symphony of flavors that awaken sleepy senses.

Clusters of chocolate chunks provide delightful pockets of richness throughout each muffin.

Baking these treats fills your kitchen with an intoxicating aroma that beckons everyone nearby.

The balance of gooey caramel and deep chocolate creates a harmony few can resist.

Dive into this recipe and transform an ordinary morning into an extraordinary culinary experience.

How to Serve These Muffins Warm and Rich

  • Brunch Bliss Companion: Pair these rich muffins with a creamy cappuccino or smooth latte for a delightful morning treat that balances the chocolate's intensity.
  • Sweet Drizzle Delight: Enhance the muffins by drizzling extra warm caramel sauce on top just before serving, creating a glistening, indulgent presentation that adds extra sweetness.
  • Textural Crunch Topping: Sprinkle chopped toasted nuts like almonds or pecans over the muffins to introduce a delightful crunch that complements the soft, moist chocolate base and creates an exciting flavor contrast.
  • Dessert Transformation: Serve these muffins slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for an elegant dessert that turns a simple muffin into a luxurious after-dinner experience.

Save Those Caramel Muffins for Later

  • Muffin Meal Prep Magic: Store these delightful chocolate caramel muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, keeping them soft and fresh.
  • Freezer-Friendly Delight: Wrap individual muffins tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. They'll stay delicious for 2-3 months, perfect for quick breakfast or snack options.
  • Refrigeration Tip: If you want to extend freshness, store muffins in the refrigerator for 5-7 days. Let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before enjoying to restore their tender texture.
  • Smart Serving Strategy: Separate muffins with parchment paper when storing to prevent sticking and maintain their beautiful shape. This trick keeps each muffin looking as gorgeous as when first baked.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 275 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients for Decadent Caramel Chocolate Chunk Muffins

For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and foundation for tender, fluffy muffins with a smooth crumb.
  • Cocoa Powder: Delivers rich, deep chocolate flavor and beautiful dark color to the muffins.
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help muffins rise and create a light, airy texture.
  • Salt: Enhances and balances the overall sweetness of the muffins.
For Wet Ingredients:
  • Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Create sweetness and contribute to the moist, soft texture of the muffins.
  • Vegetable Oil: Ensures moisture, tenderness, and helps maintain freshness longer than butter.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and provide structure and richness to the muffin batter.
  • Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a smooth, cohesive batter.
For Mix-Ins and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Chocolate Chunks: Provide delightful pockets of melted chocolate and add indulgent texture.
  • Caramel Sauce: Introduces a luxurious, gooey surprise that creates beautiful swirls and extra sweetness.

Essentials to Bake Caramel Chocolate Chunk Muffins

  • Muffin Tin: Crucial for baking the perfect muffins with consistent shape.
  • Large Bowl: Essential for mixing wet ingredients smoothly.
  • Medium Bowl: Perfect for combining dry ingredients evenly.
  • Whisk: Great for blending flour and cocoa powder without lumps.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Necessary for accurate ingredient quantities.
  • Spatula: Helpful for folding chocolate chunks and scraping batter.
  • Toothpick: Ideal for checking muffin doneness.
  • Wire Rack: Helps cool muffins and prevent soggy bottoms.
  • Mixing Spoon: Useful for stirring ingredients together.

Muffin Time: Making Caramel Chocolate Chunk Perfection

  • Oven Preparation

Warm the oven to a cozy 350°F and tuck paper liners into your muffin pan, creating little homes for your chocolatey treats.

  • Dry Ingredient Harmony

Grab a bowl and dance your whisk through flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until they’re perfectly blended and ready for magic.

  • Wet Ingredient Symphony

In another bowl, swirl together sugars, oil, eggs, and milk until the mixture looks silky and inviting, promising deliciousness ahead.

  • Batter Fusion

Gently marry your dry and wet ingredients, stirring softly until they become one smooth, promising batter. Handle with tender care to keep the texture light.

  • Chocolate and Caramel Adventure

Tumble chocolate chunks into the batter, then fill muffin cups halfway. Nestle a dollop of caramel sauce in the center, then crown with more batter, hiding the sweet surprise inside.

  • Baking Moment

Slide the pan into the warm oven and let the muffins bake for 18-20 minutes. Watch for golden tops and listen for the whisper of doneness when you test with a toothpick.

  • Cooling Celebration

Let the muffins rest briefly in the pan, then transfer to a cooling rack, allowing them to set and become irresistibly tender.

Flavor Tweaks for Caramel Chocolate Chunk Muffins

  • Caramel Swirl Magic: Create stunning caramel patterns by using a toothpick to gently swirl the caramel sauce into the muffin batter before baking, giving each muffin a beautiful marbled appearance.
  • Chocolate Lover's Dream: Experiment with different chocolate types like dark, milk, or white chocolate chunks to personalize the muffins and match your taste preferences perfectly.
  • Make-Ahead Brilliance: These muffins freeze wonderfully for up to 3 weeks. Wrap individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag, allowing for quick grab-and-go breakfast or snack options.
  • Texture Transformation Tricks: For extra moistness, replace some oil with applesauce or Greek yogurt, which adds richness while keeping the muffins light and tender without compromising flavor.
  • Gourmet Topping Options: Elevate the muffins by sprinkling sea salt over the caramel, drizzling additional melted chocolate on top, or adding a sprinkle of chopped nuts for a delightful crunch and professional bakery-style finish.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Gooey Caramel Chocolate Chunk Muffins Recipe

Gooey Caramel Chocolate Chunk Muffins Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Scrumptious caramel chocolate chunk muffins deliver pure indulgence from classic French pastry techniques. Chocolate and caramel lovers will savor rich, moist crumb with intense flavor combinations that melt deliciously in each bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 ½ cups (190 g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (50 g) cocoa powder
  • ½ cup (100 g) chocolate chunks
  • ½ cup (100 g) sugar
  • ½ cup (100 g) brown sugar
  • ½ cup (120 ml) milk
  • ½ cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) salted caramel sauce
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with paper cups, creating a seamless release surface for the delicate muffins.
  2. Dry Ingredient Symphony: Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together, eliminating any potential lumps and ensuring uniform distribution of dry components.
  3. Liquid Foundation: Whisk sugars, oil, eggs, and milk in a spacious bowl until the mixture transforms into a silky, homogeneous liquid base that promises rich, moist muffins.
  4. Batter Fusion: Delicately merge dry ingredients into the liquid mixture, stirring with minimal intervention to preserve a tender, delicate crumb and prevent tough muffins.
  5. Chocolate and Caramel Integration: Gently fold chocolate chunks throughout the batter, then strategically place a generous caramel dollop in the center of each partially filled muffin liner.
  6. Final Assembly: Top the caramel center with remaining batter, bringing the liners to near capacity and completely enveloping the luscious caramel core.
  7. Baking Transformation: Slide the muffin tin into the preheated oven, baking for 18-20 minutes until the tops set firmly and a toothpick emerges clean when pierced through the center.
  8. Cooling Ritual: Allow muffins to rest momentarily in the tin to stabilize their structure, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and optimal texture development.

Notes

  • Measure Precisely: Use exact measurements for flour and cocoa powder by leveling ingredients with a straight edge for consistent texture.
  • Mix Minimally: Stir batter just until ingredients combine to prevent tough, dense muffins and maintain a light, tender crumb.
  • Temperature Matters: Allow eggs and milk to reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother batter and more even baking.
  • Caramel Placement: Center the caramel sauce carefully to prevent burning and ensure a perfect molten surprise in every bite.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 275
  • Sugar: 17 g
  • Sodium: 138 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 32 mg
Jessica Martin

Jessica Martin

Recipe Developer & Food Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development, Food Styling and Photography​, Seasonal and Local Ingredients​, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine​, Culinary Education​

Education

Portland Community College

  • Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in culinary techniques, kitchen management, and food safety. Gained hands-on experience in preparing diverse cuisines and understanding flavor profiles

Oregon Culinary Institute

  • Program: Baking and Pastry Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking fundamentals, pastry arts, and dessert presentation. Emphasized creativity and precision in crafting baked goods.​

Jessica Martin is a talented food writer and recipe creator who specializes in seasonal cooking and approachable home baking. 

Educated at Portland Community College with additional pastry training from Oregon Culinary Institute, Jessica’s culinary journey spans nearly a decade of creating and sharing flavorful recipes. 

Her deep appreciation for local ingredients shapes each of her recipes, making them both accessible and inspiring. At Beard and Bonnet, Jessica uses her cheerful, down-to-earth writing to help readers effortlessly bring new tastes and creative dishes into their daily routines.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star