Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Muffins

When you have a love affair with food like I do it’s not unusual to gain a few unwanted pounds. Yep, I’m cutting back but that doesn’t mean I go without chocolate, or a sweet treat made with butter. You might already know oatmeal not only provides great nutritional value but suppresses your appetite. I’ve made so many delicious oatmeal recipes but was looking for something new for breakfast. (Yes, I eat oatmeal bars and cookies for breakfast.) Muffins are good and I came upon a recipe by Epicurious. I liked the butter and buttermilk ingredients, and knew this was going to be a rich tasting muffin. But I wanted chocolate! I made some changes and call this a version of the original recipe. Thank you Epicurious.

Recipe

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Makes 12 muffins

Soak 1 Cup old fashioned rolled oats in 1 Cup of buttermilk (low-fat buttermilk works) at least 30 minutes or set in refrigerator for 1-2 hours. If refrigerated remove from refrigerator for 20 minutes before using.

Set out to become room temperature:
1 Egg
1 Cube (1/2 c) butter-salted is ok

1/2 Cup dark brown sugar-packed
1 Teaspoon vanilla (optional)

Whisk together the following and set aside:
1 Cup all purpose flour
1/2 Teaspoon salt
1/2 Teaspoon baking soda
1 Teaspoon baking powder

3/4 Cup chocolate chips (I used Nestle’s 53% Dark Chocolate Morsels. They are a little larger than the usual and have a stronger chocolate taste.)

Whisk together softened butter and egg in a large bowl. Add the brown sugar and whisk until well mixed and creamy. Add vanilla if using.

Add the buttermilk/oatmeal and the flour/dry ingredients. Stir or whisk until just mixed.

Fold in 1/2 cup chocolate chips.

Using an ice cream scoop for ease place one scoop of batter into 12 buttered (or baking sprayed) muffin cups. Place a few of the the remaining chips on top of each muffin.

Place into preheated oven and bake until golden and muffin top bounces back to touch, about 20 minutes. Use a wooden toothpick if you question doneness.

The original recipe was rated 3.5 out of 4 Stars. I say this is a 4! Enjoy!