If you love chocolate and coffee as much as we do, you will adore these mocha muffins! They’re simple to make, incredibly delicious, and perfect for a quick breakfast or a sweet treat in the afternoon.
This post was originally posted February 2012. The recipe was modified, and new photos were taken in April 2016. The post was updated and republished in March 2025.
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Chocolate Chip Mocha Muffins
My daughter and I love chocolate and coffee. Whether it's homemade chocolate chip brownies or a chocolate latte, we just can’t get enough.
So, I thought, why not combine the two into a delicious breakfast muffin? They vanished in just one day, so I knew it was a winning combination!
Each soft and fluffy muffin is filled with chocolate chips. They are perfect for breakfast with morning coffee or a quick afternoon snack. Plus, they stay moist for several days, but honestly, they never last that long here!
Why I Love This Recipe
These muffins are delicious right out of the oven, but they taste even better the next day as the flavors blend.
- The batter for this simple recipe is easy to prepare, and no fancy ingredients are required!
- Using coffee with chocolate brings out the rich chocolate flavor in baked goods.
- These muffins use dark cocoa powder AND chocolate chips for double the chocolate goodness!
- These soft and fluffy muffins are delicious on day one, but they actually get better the longer they sit.
Main Ingredients
You can easily bake a batch of mocha muffins in your oven. The batter consists of only a few simple ingredients.
- Unsalted Butter: Set the butter out before you start so it has time to soften.
- Sugar: I like mixing regular white and brown sugar for a rich, moist texture.
- Large Egg: An egg helps hold the batter together and gives it a slight rise.
- Sour Cream: Gives the muffins a soft and moist texture. If you prefer plain Greek yogurt, use it.
- Leavening Agents: Use baking soda and baking powder for the best rise.
- Dark Cocoa Powder: Many different types of cocoa powder are available, but I prefer Hershey's dark cocoa. It gives the batter a rich, dark color and flavor.
- Flour: These muffins call for all-purpose flour. To avoid adding too much, use the fluff and spoon method.
- Milk: You can use any milk or dairy substitute you prefer.
- Coffee: Strongly brewed coffee enhances the chocolate flavor. You can substitute milk if you do not want coffee flavor in your baked goods.
- Mini Chocolate Chips: I prefer the mini ones because they spread the chocolate even more. For bigger chocolate pockets, you can use regular chips or chocolate chunks.
How To Make Mocha Muffins
This mocha muffin recipe takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. It's a great treat to curb your sweet cravings any time!
In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add the egg, vanilla, and sour cream, then beat again.
Stir the dry ingredients in a bowl. Alternately add the flour mixture and wet ingredients until it comes together, but do not overmix.
Gently stir the mini chocolate chips into the batter. Spoon the muffin batter evenly into 16 regular-sized muffin cups. Then, sprinkle the remaining chips on each muffin top.
Bake the muffins until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let them cool for a few minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack.
Storage Recommendations
On the Counter: Store the leftover muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 4-5 days.
In the Freezer: Extra muffins can be frozen in a freezer-safe bag or container for several months. Just be sure to thaw them (either in the fridge or at room temperature) before serving!
Tips and Tricks
- Substitute other liquids. If you do not like coffee or do not want any caffeine in your baked goods, you can substitute milk or water for it.
- Do NOT over-mix your batter. Overmixing the batter can make your muffins tough.
- Skip the paper liners. Spray the muffin pan with nonstick baking spray, then use a paper towel to wipe out the excess before filling it with batter.
- Fill them neatly. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan using a large cookie or ice cream scoop.
- All ovens run differently. Before the timer goes off, check the muffins by inserting a toothpick in the center. They are done when the toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
More Chocolate Muffins
- Double Chocolate Banana Muffins
- Oreo Muffins
- Banana Nutella Muffins
- Chocolate Raspberry Muffins
- Zucchini Cream Cheese Muffins
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Recipe
Mocha Muffins
Two times the chocolate makes these Chocolate Mocha Muffins the perfect breakfast choice to get you going in the morning. Grab a cup of coffee and a muffin before heading out the door.
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup milk
- ⅓ cup strong brewed coffee, cooled
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- ½ cup dark cocoa powder
- 2 cups all purpose flour (240g)
- 1 ¼ cups mini chocolate chips, divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Place 16 cupcake liners in two cupcake pans.
- Beat the butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the egg, sour cream, and vanilla and beat until creamy.
- Sift the dry ingredients and add them alternately with the milk and coffee, beating slowly. Do not overmix.
- Stir in 1 cup mini chocolate chips by gently. Spoon the batter evenly into the cupcake liners.
- Sprinkle the tops of the batter with the remaining chocolate chips. Bake for 15-17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 2-3 minutes. Then, place the muffins on a wire rack to cool completely. Store in a sealed container.
Notes
- Substitute other liquids. If you do not like coffee or do not want any caffeine in your baked goods, you can substitute milk or water for it.
- Do NOT over-mix your batter. Overmixing the batter can make your muffins tough.
- Skip the paper liners. Spray the muffin pan with nonstick baking spray, then use a paper towel to wipe out the excess before filling it with batter.
- Fill them neatly. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan using a large cookie or ice cream scoop.
- All ovens run differently. Before the timer goes off, check the muffins by inserting a toothpick in the center. They are done when the toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Place a muffin in the microwave for 10 seconds for that fresh from the oven taste.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 16 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 251Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 287mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 2gSugar: 16gProtein: 4g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Robin Damato
If I do not like the taste of coffee, should I add more of another liquid to compensate?
Jocelyn
Honestly, I don't think you can taste the coffee in these muffins because it's there to enhance the chocolate. But if you want, you can substitute more milk for the coffee instead. I hope that helps and you enjoy the muffins.
Robin Damato
Thank you!
Luke
Where did you find those amazing baking cups for your muffins? Are they available in jumbo size?
Jocelyn
To be honest I really don't know where I bought those ones. I tend to pick up cupcake liners all over the place. It could have been Michaels, Hobby Lobby, Walmart, or a grocery store. I'm so sorry I can't be of more help on that one.
Jean Ferrario
Kitchen Krafts have lots of great designs and colors for muffin cups, some of them even in jumbo size....
Jenn Erickson
Jocelyn, I love it that you and your daughter have shopping days together. My daughter and I did the same this weekend. Justice, eh? I'm thinking I should be grateful that we don't have one in my area. Hollister is the place where we usually end up getting sucked in. Thank goodness they usually have a sale going.
Your muffins look divine, BTW!
Jenn
Tammy
Just put these in the oven and I used raspberry chocolate coffee!
Berni Malek
Ohhhhhhhh that sounds delicious!
Sue @ Cakeballs, cookies and more
well I am so glad you can share that with your daughter, I have a son and he hates shopping, so I live through you, LOL. these muffins sound great too!
Tina @ Babycakes Blog
Those look really good! I love a good chocolate muffin in the morning, I'll bet the coffee really brings out that chocolate flavor!
Winnie
Your muffins look amazing!
My second half just loves mocha and it's a great way to surprise him
overtimecook.com
These look delicious! I love mocha anything!
Katie Mar
i love your photographs!! delicious!
The Crunchy Mamacita
I have been using coffee in all my chocolate recipes lately, I love it!
Trish - Sweetology101
this looks like pure numminess
Susan-The Weekly Sweet Experiment
The muffins look great!! Cute shopping story. My daughter turns 2 in a week and a half and I know we will have many trips like this. She already argues with me about what she will wear!!
Jennifurla
Love your new header, fancy. these look fabulous...I'll take 4.
So Domesticated
Your muffins look fab! I know what you mean... I had TWO of the Monkey Bread Muffins I made yesterday... so I definitely had to work out a little longer!
Hayley
Awh, I love that you and your daughter do mother-daughter shopping trips. My mom and I used to do that (well, still do--but back then, she was buying!) and I still remember those dates so fondly. I know your daughter will too! And I know you're not eager for her to grow up but trust me, one day you'll be fighting over the same top at the same clearance rack in your favorite stores. I know this from, uh... experience or stories or something... 🙂
BTW, chocolate and mocha? I'm in heaven!
Susie
Where's the ingredient list?? ?
Jocelyn
If you keep scrolling past the pictures you will come to a printable recipe card that has the ingredients and instructions. I hope that helps and that you enjoy the muffins!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
What a sweet way to spend the day! I see Justice in my future and my wallet is scared. But these muffins...yum!
Brandi
What a cute shopping story with your daughter. Sounds like a perfect day out to me. Hope you are doing well!
Kara
Oh yum! I totally love the perfect "You were doing so good" analogy. Glad you had a fun shopping trip with your daughter!
Laura@HappyCanadianHome.com
These look amazing - just printed the recipe!
Aimee
First that lovely banana cake with chocolate frosting....for breakfast. Now these mocha muffins. Can I move in with you guys???
Too funny about the shopping. We have the same dates here with the same rules. I try to break them sometimes and get caught every time! I love that your daughter called you out on it!