Cherry Chocolate Chip Muffins

September 9, 2015 by Jennie 4 comments »

Cherry chocolate chip muffins make a wondrous brunch or breakfast treat. These summer-inspired muffins are loaded with ripe cherries and sweet chocolate chips. They bake up tender and moist with a crunchy toasted almond crust.

If there ever was a muffin I could shovel into my face on the daily, it would be these cherry chocolate chip muffins. I’ve been quite smitten with cherries this summer, popping them like candy every time I walk past the cherry colander I keep filled at all times.

So far the best cherries I’ve experienced this summer have come from a local farmer that set up shop at one of the farmers’ markets I frequent every Saturday. They were candy sweet and the deepest crimson red. After consuming over half the carton, I decided they deserved more justice. I used a handful to make a fresh batch of cherry syrup for this Cherry-Kissed Prosecco Spritzer recipe, and I folded the remaining cherries into this muffin batter.

I mixed up my favorite muffin batter and tossed in a heaping cup of freshly pitted cherries. If you’ve ever pitted cherries then you know it’s an act of pure love–love of being in the kitchen, love of eating, and love of feeding others. At the end of the deed, you’ll walk away with stained finger tips, crimson-colored cutting board, and splattered clothing (best to wear an apron).

If you’re going to pit cherries, please invest in a cherry pitter. It was by far the best investment I made 2 years ago. Before the cherry pitter, I used a pairing knife and the task proved tedious and dangerous–I came close to cutting off a finger numerous times.

I can promise you this: the effort is worth the reward. These muffins bake up moist and fluffy with a tender crumb. I added a splash of almond extract to bring out the natural flavor of the cherries and added sliced almonds to the top of the muffins for crunch. The almonds toast and become extra nutty as the muffins bake. Let’s not forget about the chocolate. I added a generous amount of mini chocolate chips to the batter because, as we all know, chocolate makes everything better.