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.
Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking
These are so cute Jocelyn! I love muffin tops more than a whole muffins! Could easily munch on 2 of these with my morning coffee
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl
Oh my goodness, these look sooooo good! I love maraschino cherries, and like you, I always have (multiple) jars on hand. I need to get my muffin-top pan out and put it to use. Love these!
Ruthie
Joclyn... Can I say I LOVE chocolate and cherries! YUM!! I hope you'll come link up to my party today!! (It's the first one and so I'm slightly begging 🙂 xoxo~ Ruthie
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes and Desserts
Yes please! I am all for any reason to get chocolate for breakfast, and I am kind of muffin obsessed!
Dana
These look yummy! Definitely going to be a Valentines day treat, thanks for adding the note about making in a regular muffin pan.
Jocelyn Brubaker
I hope you enjoy them. They would be perfect for Valentine's Day!!!
Carrie A.
My husband loves anything with cherries... this will be something unique I can make him with cherries in it! Hmmm! Maybe on Valentine's Day! Thanks!
Cristina
Chocolate muffins are my favorite. It's like a dessert that I'm allowed to eat for breakfast! Thanks for sharing!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Chocolate for breakfast is something I can always allow!!
Meghan
Oh, how I wish I had one of these right now! I love the chocolate cherry combo!! They look great!
Stefanie @ Sarcastic Cooking
I am a huge fan of chocolate and fruits of all kind. The falvors meld so well! I love muffin tops... well not on myself, but aside from that. These look great!
teresa
we love the cherry chocolate combo. these look fantastic!
Elaine @ Cooking to Perfection
I was actually just starting to brainstorm about V-day, so I say keep them comin! I love that you made muffin tops. I love buying them, but have never actually made them. Will keep my eye open for muffin top pans now 🙂
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
LOVE these muffin tops! The best part of the muffin with all it's deliciousness 🙂
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction
Love making muffins tops since they are the best part of muffins! I will gladly eat chocolate and cherries for breakfast. 🙂
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel
I LOVE chocolate and cherry, Jocelyn! It's one of my favorite combinations and it's so perfect for Valentine's Day!! And I'm glad someone else loves maraschino cherries as much as I do. I could seriously drink the grenadine! I heart them so much 🙂
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
Typical Jocelyn fashion: these look amazing! I want want want. I absolutely love maraschino cherries. I don't usually have any in my fridge lately because I've been addicted to eating them out of the jar!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I want more too...my family devoured these in no time. Eating cherries from the jar is the best way to enjoy them 🙂 Glad we agree on that!!! And now I need a few more jars...
sally @ sallys baking addiction
bring on the V-day treats Jocelyn!! I'm lovin' these. chocolate and cherries went into a breakfast treat I made recently and I can't wait to share it. But I have to try it in muffins, or muffin tops rather. b/c the muffin tops are the best part right??!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I love chocolate and cherry together, so I can't wait to see what you made!!! And yes, the muffin top is the VERY best part!!!
Meghan
Good Lord! These sound divine!!!
Liz
I only like to eat the tops of muffins anyway so this is perfect! Love the combo....delish 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
The muffin tops are the best part, so why even make the rest huh? I am all over this chocolate and cherry combo lately!!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
Gorgeous Jocelyn! Bring on valentine's! January is boring. 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes, I agree with you...January is too boring. We need more pinks, reds, and cherry goodness to brighten things up a bit!!!
Nicole
Yum, these look really good! I love chocolate & cherry together.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Nicole. Chocolate and cherry is such a classic flavor...I predict more in my blog future!!