Chocolate Muffins from Scratch

Moist chocolate muffins from scratch are an easy sweet treat! Chocolate pudding mix ensures a nice fluffy muffin! Not too sweet but will satisfy your sweet tooth. Ready in 30 minutes!

These muffins are perfect when you're wanting something a little sweet and a lot satisfying. They've got a rich fudgy flavor that's a must for chocolate lovers.

Entire recipe cost of $23.00 (or $1.92 per muffin) is based on purchasing the store brand for every ingredient listed (as of November 2022).

Why These Muffins are so Moist

I like to add a couple of tablespoons of instant chocolate pudding mix to the batter. The pudding mix adds more chocolate flavor and makes the muffins nice and fluffy.

If you're totally a chocolate lover, I also recommend taking a look at my Chocolate Chess Pie. It's made from scratch, and I've received a ton of rave reviews about it as well!

What I Like About These Muffins

What I like about these muffins is they aren't too sweet but sometimes I like to sprinkle them with powdered sugar to dress them up a bit. My husband loves to spread peanut butter on these muffins. My daughter likes to add chocolate chips to the mix when she makes them for her family.

Make it fun and try different kinds of muffin liners. I have regular muffin liners in assorted colors and I also have the cute tulip-shaped muffin liners. I used both styles for the pictures so you can see them. This recipe makes 12 muffins and is ready in about 30 minutes.

Enjoy these muffins with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot coffee! Have one for breakfast or an afternoon snack. So simple to pack inside a lunch bag, too.

Chocolate Muffin Ingredients

please scroll down to the printable recipe card for ingredient details and step by step instructions

All-purpose flour - do not substitute with self-rising flour.

Baking powder, baking soda, salt - helps the muffins rise

Unsweetened cocoa powder - the store brand is fine but I usually reach for either Hershey's or Nestle's Toll House brand.

Dry chocolate pudding mix - use the instant pudding mix! It's amazing how just a little bit ensures moist muffins.

Granulated sugar - easily adjust the sweetness level. These muffins are semi-sweet. Add more sugar if you prefer a sweeter muffin.

Eggs - large eggs, room temperature.

Butter - butter adds flavor and moisture.

Milk (or buttermilk) - regular whole milk is fine but if you have any buttermilk you're trying to use it, here's a great opportunity!

Vanilla extract - or use vanilla bean paste for a richer vanilla flavor.

How to Make Muffins 

This recipe is so simple! Be sure to follow the recipe card at the bottom of the page when you get ready to make them.

Step 1 - Mix the "wet" ingredients first (softened butter, eggs, milk, vanilla extract).

Step 2 - Then add the "dry" ingredients (sugar, flour, cocoa powder, pudding mix, baking powder, baking soda, salt) to the wet ingredients, and mix well with your electric mixer.

Step 3 - Fill muffin cups.

Step 4 - Bake!

Recipe Tips

Add more sugar to the batter if you want sweeter muffins!  One-half to one cup additional sugar to the batter makes them sweeter, like a cupcake.  Try one-half cup first, then taste test after mixing for sweetness, if desired.  Just a tiny taste (½ teaspoon) is all you need to determine if the batter is sweet enough for you.

Use muffin liners for easy removal from the muffin pan.

Muffin Variations

• Add chopped pecans to the muffin tops before baking.
• Add some chocolate chips to the batter (my husband’s suggestion, lol).
• Sprinkle the tops of the cooked, cooled muffins with powdered sugar.
• Add a dollop of whipped cream to the cooled muffin top just before serving.

Are you a Fan of Chocolate Banana Muffins? Simply add 2 very ripe bananas that have been mashed with a fork (approximately ¾ to 1 cup) to the batter.  Voila!  Chocolate banana muffins!

How to Store Baked Muffins

To keep these muffins fresh and moist, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days (refrigerate them and they’ll keep fresh for a couple more days).

How to Freeze Baked Muffins

You can freeze muffins for up to 3 months if you wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or place in plastic freezer bags. They will be extra moist after thawing!

For a single muffin, take one out of the freezer when you're ready for a treat. It only takes about 10-15 minutes for one to thaw on the countertop or wrap one frozen muffin in a paper towel and microwave on high for 10-15 seconds.

Best Muffin Container for Travel

So now that you’ve made these delicious muffins, what's the best way to transport them? I recently discovered a plastic carrier that’s perfect for transporting pies, muffins, and cupcakes. It’s the Southern Homewares 3-in-1 Plastic Holder Container. It offers easy-grip handles, a snap-tight lid, and it’s made out of durable plastic. Available now on Amazon!