Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Mexican Hot Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

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It is the peak of summer in the Midwest and if you are a gardener that means zucchini season. It is around this time every year I begin my search for recipes to use up the abundance of the bounty of zucchini my garden provides. My oldest son loves chocolate in any way shape or form. My youngest likes things spicy. So this recipe for Mexican Hot Chocolate Zucchini Muffins combines the best of both worlds!




This quick and easy recipe begins by preheating the oven to 350 degrees and spraying your muffin tin with non-stick spray or lining with paper liners. I normally am not a fan of liners, but with the chocolate chips getting melty and gooey, this is one time that I use them. This recipe yields 12 muffins but it doubles really easily!


Next grate 1 1/2 cups of raw zucchini and set aside. Sure you can use your food processor for this, but I prefer to do it the old fashion way. I find it actually takes me a lot less time and effort. Clean up is easier and I get to take out some of my pent up aggression.


In a bowl, whisk to combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, chili powder and cayenne. We love dark chocolate in our house. So for most of my recipes that's what I use. When shopping I usually go for the best quality, darkest cocoa powder.


In a separate larger bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla until combined.


Next add the grated zucchini and chocolate chips into the egg mixture.We love to use bittersweet chocolate chips. For this you will probably want to switch to a wooden spoon. I was too lazy to change utensils but it is kind of a pain to try to get all the batter out of the whisk and learned my lesson the hard way.


Gradually add the dry mixture in to the wet mixture until combined. At this point do not over mix. If you do your muffins will get tough. Not what you want in a muffin!


Fill muffin tins about ⅔ – ¾ full. I just use a quarter cup measuring scoop to fill. I am a notoriously sloppy muffin filler!


Bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow to cool for a several minutes in pan before removing to a cooling rack.



Mexican Hot Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

Prep Time:  15  minutes
Bake Time: 22-25 minutes
Yields:12 muffins


Ingredients:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 cup chocolate chips
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cup raw grated zucchini

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Spray muffin tin with non-stick spray or line with paper liners.
  3. Grate 1 1/2 cups of raw zucchini and set aside.
  4. In a bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, chili powder and cayenne. 
  5. In a separate larger bowl, whisk together the eggs, oil, sugar and vanilla until combined.
  6. Stir the grated zucchini and chocolate chips into the egg mixture.
  7. Gradually add the dry mixture in to the wet mixture until combined. Do not over mix.
  8. Fill muffin tins about 2/3 – 3/4 full.
  9. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  10. Allow to cool for a several minutes in pan before removing to a cooling rack.


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28 comments :

  1. I wish I would've seen this earlier! My family just had a Mexican night and I was coming up short for a Mexican dessert I could make. I opted for just getting some pie but this would've been perfect. Totally printing this out so I can remember to make it the next time.

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    1. They would be perfect for Mexican night! I like them because they are not overly sweet! If you make them let me know what you think!

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  2. Love this! As a gal that visited Mexico often, I adore incorporating a little heat into a chocolate recipe.

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    1. I love the little heat with a little sweet. The combo is so yummy!

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  3. I have zucchini in my fridge I think. I really like eating them in any form. I like the thought of chocolate combined with zucchini I haven't tried it yet. I may have to skip the spice though.

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    1. They would be super yummy even without the spice. You could add a little more cinnamon to up the flavor a bit and skip the chili powder and cayenne if you don't want the heat.

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  4. They look damn interesting and yumm. Though I haven't tried Zucchini in muffins, this one is a must try.

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  5. Oh I love a good zucchini muffin! The hidden veggies are so good for the digestive system and you also get your chocolate fix! I believe there's a vegan version of those under the food section of my blog just in case anyone wants to give that a go!

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    1. Thanks! I will have have to jump over to your site and check your recipe out. I have several vegan friends.

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  6. These sound absolutely delicious! I can't wait to make them this weekend.

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    1. Thanks! If you get a chance stop by and tell me how they turned out. Hope you love them!

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  7. Oooh zucchini muffins! These definitely sound a lot healthier than the regular variety. And they look delicious to boot.

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    1. I love zucchini recipes as well. I like this recipe because I cut back on the sugar. They are still a yummy treat but they are not super sweet. The bittersweet chocolate helps with this as well.

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  8. These look awesome! Can also feed these to picky kids who dont like zucchini as it is ;)

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    1. My kids love them. They actually ask me to make them!

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  9. These cupcakes can be a good substitute for party cakes :)
    Do you also bake for a profit?

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    1. Thanks. Right now I am just a home baker. I would love to someday sell treats!

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  10. Wow such a lovely yummy looking cup cakes. Will try this way of making cup cakes this weekend thanks for sharing

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  11. I never thought that you can make zucchini muffins, but then again I am not really into cooking :) and I am very messy with coming up with new combinations.

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    1. These are super easy to make and the zucchini keeps them really moist. It is a great way to get your veggies in dessert. Most people don't even realize they have zucchini in them.

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  13. This is an incredibke idea to cheat..i mean..encourage kids to have veggies! Im gonna try n see if my boy will like this..thankoo. :)

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  14. Interest adding zucchini in the muffins, looks different. Shall try out for sure, hoping my son will love it.

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  15. These cupcakes look so good. The ingredients used are good. But, one of my all time favorite is the cayenne pepper. I cant wait to try them out.

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  16. these look so good. I pinned this to make these soon!

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  17. We love zucchini muffins in our house, I will have to try this recipe soon! They sound delicious!

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