So I have decided that it is time to start posting some Valentine's recipes here. You're down with that right??? I promise not to go completely overboard, but this is a low fat chocolate cherry muffin top. Who wouldn't want this kind of recipe early?
You could wait until February to make these muffins, but I seriously don't recommend it. They were delicious!!! The yogurt in these muffins give them a soft, tender inside. I really like using yogurt instead of sour cream for muffins. It helps cut down on the fat content, which is something that I have started to watch a little more. My kids aren't big cereal eaters, but they will eat muffins if I keep them on hand. By making them with yogurt I feel better about them eating chocolate for breakfast. Of course, we ate them at all times of the day. They are a perfect afternoon snack when you are craving just a little bit of chocolate. (that makes me laugh because when I crave chocolate, I don't want to eat a little) These chocolate cherry muffins are also a great before bed snack...or a midnight snack! Whenever you decide to eat them, they will satisfy your chocolate crave!!!
The great thing about this muffin is that it is easy to make it in a muffin top pan or a whoopie pie pan, or if you don't have either, just bake it in a regular muffin tin. I have included both baking times in the recipe for you. Let's talk about the cherries for a minute. If you like fresh cherries, by all means, use the fresh cherries in your batter. I just happen to love maraschino cherries. There is usually a jar in my fridge at all times for sundaes or drinks. And I keep a backup jar in my baking cupboard...does that surprise you that I have more than one jar? Something about the taste of these jarred cherries makes me happy. They also keep their bright red color when you bake with them. I love pretty food!!! Pretty food just looks so much more appetizing!
See how puffy those chocolate cherry muffin tops turned out? I know you want a bite.
Recipe
Chocolate Cherry Muffin Tops
Chocolate muffins made with yogurt and filled with chocolate chips and cherries
Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup packed brown sugar
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons maraschino cherry juice
- 1 large egg
- ⅔ cup greek yogurt
- ⅔ cup coconut milk
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¾ cup miniature chocolate chips
- 1 cup chopped maraschino cherries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
- In a mixing bowl cream the butter and sugars until creamy. Add the cherry juice, egg, and yogurt to the butter and beat again.
- Sift together the baking powder, baking soda, salt, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and flour and add alternately with the coconut milk to the butter mixture and beat gently.
- Stir in the chocolate chips and cherries by hand.
- Spoon a large tablespoon of batter into a greased muffin top pan (I used a whoopie pie pan) Bake for 12 minutes. Let cool 2 minutes in the pan, then remove to a wire rack to cool.
- Store in a sealed container for up to 4 days. Makes 24 muffin tops.
Notes
You can use a regular muffin tin if you don't have a muffin top pan. Bake the muffins for 18 minutes. Makes about 15 muffins.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 161Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 152mgCarbohydrates: 23gFiber: 1gSugar: 12gProtein: 3g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
Looking for more chocolate muffins? Try one of these.
Barb
Can I use low fat regular yogurt?
Jocelyn
Yes, that should work just fine. I do recommend trying to drain as much excess liquid from the regular yogurt, so it is as thick as possible.
Linda Plotnick
Do I use dark brown or light brown sugar in this muffin top recipe?
Jocelyn
I always use regular brown sugar in my recipes which I believe is the light brown sugar. I hope you enjoy the muffin tops!
Anna @ Hidden Ponies
These look delicious! Just found your blog through Taste and Tell - how have I not found you sooner?? I'm loving looking through all the sugar and sprinkles 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
I am always amazed at all the "new to me" blogs I find each day. Even after 4 years of being out there in blog land, there are still so many new ones!! I am so excited you came over from Taste and Tell. Going to check out your blog too!!!
The Better Baker
Good Morning to you! Wanted you to know I am sharing this lovely recipe as my featured personal favorite at Weekend Potluck today. Thanks again.
Tanya Schroeder
Happy to be featuring these at One Creative Weekend! Thanks for linking up Jocelyn!
The Better Baker
These muffin tops look fabulous! I am so happy you linked up at Weekend Potluck. We love having your dishes at our table. =)
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you so much! I love sharing them with you!!!
Emily
Delicious!! I'm so going to be trying this recipe soon!
madge | the vegetarian casserole queen
I love that these are delicious and low-fat! Pinning this for Valentines Day!
Oh and you should check out Lady Behind the Curtain's Dessert Challenge. Chocolate and Cherries are the challenge ingredients for February.
Leigh Anne @Yourhomebasedmom
I need to get me one of those muffin top pans. Look yummy!
I just started a new Finding the Pretty & Delicious Linky Party on my blog this week - would love to have you stop by and share!