The perfect excuse for eating chocolate for breakfast is with these delicious chocolate chunk muffins.
Made with a simple batter using pantry ingredients, they're perfect for breakfast or an afternoon treat alongside a cup of coffee.
Let me show you another one of my Cake Mix Hacks and how to turn a pantry staple into something delicious!
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Yes, you can have chocolate for breakfast!
Brighten up your mornings with a special semi-homemade breakfast! It's a lovely way to treat your family, host brunch, or welcome overnight guests.
Looking for more Easy Desserts? Try my my Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars. Then check out my Cake Mix Baking Secrets and Printable for more ideas....yummy!
Table of Contents
- Cake Mix Muffins
- Tips for Baking Muffins
- Helpful Kitchen Tools
- Main Ingredients Needed
- Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Step-by-Step Instructions
- Bake Muffins Like a Pro!
- Baking Instructions
- Before You Begin!
- Storing, Freezing, Thawing and Reheating Tips
- Recipe FAQ's
- More Delicious Muffin and Quick Bread Recipes
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments
Cake Mix Muffins
With just a few extra ingredients and minimal effort, you can transform a simple batter into muffins!
The secret lies in adding a couple of extra eggs and a splash of milk, creating a texture that's reminiscent of your favorite bakery-style muffins.
Adding extra baking powder gives them a light and airy texture so they're not as dense as a cupcake.
Bake a batch, freeze them, and thaw one overnight for a grab-and-go breakfast solution.
Tips for Baking Muffins
- Do not prepare the cake mix according to the directions on the box. Follow these directions listed below.
- For this recipe, I used a cake mix that is 15.25 ounces. This is the current size of a boxed cake mix when this recipe was originally published in 2016.
- Lightly coat the chocolate chunks in 1-2 tablespoons of flour before adding to the batter to prevent them from sinking.
- Spray the cupcake liners with non-stick cooking spray to make sure the muffin doesn’t stick.
- I always bake muffins or cupcakes on the center rack in my oven.
- If for some reason, the muffin pan is not completely filled with muffin batter, fill the empty cups in the pan with water.
- Always follow baking time directions, but you’ll know when the muffins are done when you insert a toothpick into the center of the muffin and it comes out clean or with just a few crumbs sticking to it. If you have batter sticking to the toothpick, you need to bake them for a few extra minutes.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Non-Stick Bakeware Muffin and CupcakeMore Information300-Pack Holiday Party Mini PaperMore Information200pcs Tulip Cupcake Baking Cups,More InformationCookie ScoopMore Information
Main Ingredients Needed
Here's a quick overview of the ingredients for this recipe. Find the exact amounts and click the Instacart button to easily add them to your cart – all in the printable recipe card below!
- Chocolate Cake Mix
- Additional Flour
- Eggs
- Milk
- Vegetable Oil
- Baking Powder
- Chocolate Chunks or Chocolate Chips
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Any flavor of cake mix can be used! Try vanilla, yellow, or even spice cake mix for a unique flavor twist. Remember to adjust the add-ins if using a different flavor.
- Chocolate chips, chopped chocolate bars, or even mini chocolate chips can be used in place of chocolate chunks.
- Try adding white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, or even chopped nuts for additional flavor and texture.
- If you'd like a homemade version of this recipe, please check out my Chocolate Chocolate Chip Muffins recipe.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Lightly coat the chocolate chunks or chips with 1 tablespoon of flour (this helps them stay suspended in the batter). Set them aside while you prepare the batter.
Step 2: In a bowl, mix together the cake mix, eggs, milk, vegetable oil, and baking powder. Stir until just combined.
Step 3: Mix the batter until it's just combined. Then, gently stir in the chocolate chunks.
Bake Muffins Like a Pro!
For perfectly portioned and evenly baked muffins, use a cookie scoop to fill your muffin tray – it's the secret to consistent results and less mess!
Get your baking game on point! Say goodbye to unevenly sized treats and hello to consistent, delicious results every time! Grab my FREE Cookie Scoop Size Cheat Sheet!
Baking Instructions
Step 4: Spoon into prepared muffin pan. Here are some of my favorite muffin/cupcake liners to use. Use a cookie scoop to fill the muffin pan.
Step 5: Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for about 10 minutes. Remove the tray from the oven and sprinkle a few extra pieces of chocolate on top then return to the oven to complete baking. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.
Before You Begin!
If you make this recipe, please leave a review and star rating. This helps my business thrive and continue providing FREE recipes.
Storing, Freezing, Thawing and Reheating Tips
Refrigerator: Allow muffins to cool fully before storing to prevent moisture build-up. Store in an airtight container or resealable bag lined with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture.
Freezer: Arrange muffins on a parchment-lined baking tray and flash freeze them for 30-60 minutes until solid. Once frozen, transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. They'll stay good for at least two months.
Thawing and Reheating: Remove the muffins from the freezer and allow them to thaw at room temperature or in the refrigerator overnight. Rewarm individually in the microwave or oven for a warm, fresh-baked feel.
Recipe FAQ's
To view the answers, simply click on the plus sign (+) next to each question.
To give your muffins a light and airy texture, consider adding a small amount of baking powder to the cake mix.
Keep an extra package of white or vanilla cake mix in a mason jar. When you're ready to start baking, think about adding 3 to 6 tablespoons of the cake mix to the cake mix batter.
More Delicious Muffin and Quick Bread Recipes
Try my ultimate decadence Cheesecake Chocolate Chip Muffins along with my Easter Banana Bread Recipe.
Then, savor the simplicity of a classic Homemade Blueberry Muffins with its perfect crumb. Or try my Bakery Style Blueberry Streussel Muffins made with an irresistible crumb topping!
📖 Recipe Card
Chocolate Chunk Muffins from a Cake Mix
Ingredients
- 1 box chocolate cake mix
- 1 - 2 tablespoons flour
- 3 eggs
- ⅔ cup milk
- ⅓ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 ½ cups chocolate chunks or chocolate chips
Method
- Combine the chocolate chunks or chocolate chips with the 2 tablespoons of flour. Set aside.
- Combine the cake mix, eggs, milk, vegetable oil and baking powder together in a bowl.
- After the batter has been combined, then stir in the chocolate chunks; reserving a few.
- Spoon into prepared muffin cups.
- Bake in a 375 degree preheated oven for about 10 minutes. Remove the tray from the oven and sprinkle a few extra pieces of chocolate on top then return to the oven to complete baking.for an additional 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the muffin comes out clean.
- Allow to cool in the pan for about 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack.
Nutrition
Notes
- Do not prepare the cake mix according to the directions on the back of the box. Follow the directions listed above.
- Depending on the size of your muffin pan, this recipe should make 12 to 16 muffins.
- To prevent your chocolate chunks from sinking, lightly dust them with a tablespoon of flour before adding them to the batter. If they're not fully coated, add another teaspoon or two, but avoid using too much extra flour. This light coating will help the chocolate stay suspended in your muffins as they bake.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!This recipe has been updated since it first appeared on my site in 2016 with new photos and a new printable recipe card.
Etzel Stopher says
I followed your directions in preparing the muffins. They were dry and not like the moist yummy muffins we love. I believe baking at 375 degrees is too high! Replacing the 1/3 cup of oil with 1/2 cup oil and baking at 350 degrees will improve the taste tremendously.
Lois says
Thank you for your feedback!
Crystal says
Made these just the way you said and they came out amazing! This is my go to from now on when I make muffins.
Lois says
I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for visiting.
Carol says
Gee the muffin recipe sounds so good but I can't see the recipe. I keep getting the screen to sign up for your emails which I already receive.
Lois says
The signup has been removed.
Xizzi says
I was looking for comments after people tried your recipe 😀😀
diane says
I want to try these but just curious, do I need additional chocolate chunks for the tops to get them to look like yours? And when did you add them.. before baking, or after baking? Thanks, we love chocolate everything!!
Lois says
I added the extra chocolate chunks 1/2 way through the baking so they wouldn't sink into the muffins. Hope you enjoy the recipe!
SHARON LEWIS says
Hey I just joined and I'm so excited the first thing I'm going to make is these chocolate muffins but I have a question but please don't laugh I'm new do I spray the muffin pan thank you for all your great recipes I'm going to try every single one muffins are my favorite
Lois says
Yes, spray the muffin pan so the batter doesn't stick. You can also use paper liners which I like to spray also so the muffins don't stick to the liner. Thanks for joining. Happy to have you here!
Judie Chance says
This recipe sounds amazing. Unfortunately there is a Grow advertisement that has blacked out the whole recipe, and there is no way to remove it. I am not interested in signing up for anything at this time. Can you email the recipe?
Thank you for your help with this matter.
Sincerely
Judie Chance
Lois says
The Grow signup is another way for you to save your favorite recipes from your favorite food bloggers. Just like we used to do with Pinterest. You create an account, and then as you search and find recipes, you'll be able to save your favorites to your very own collection.
Marivonne Hyams says
The recipe instructions are not clear. Do you make the cake mix using the recipe on the box then follow the other instructions?
Lois says
No, you do not follow the cake mix instructions. I updated the recipe steps to make it a little clearer. I hope you'll make the muffins!
Donna says
Can you tell me do you just use the flour to coat the chocolate chunks. Then use a fork or something to remove them from the flour I’m guessing. Just want to make sure I shouldn’t be adding the flour too?
Lois says
That's a great tip! I would start out with one tablespoon of flour and if it's not coating all the chocolate chips, add a little more flour. You definitely do not want excess flour going into the muffins. I will update the recipe with your tip. Thank you!
Abby says
I substituted half the milk for sour cream. Turned out great!
Lois says
That sounds great. Thanks for letting me know!
Ana says
Can i add frozen cherries instead of chocolate ?
Lois says
I sent you a personal email Ana. Yes, I believe you can use frozen cherries, although you'll need to make sure they are completely defrosted before adding them to the mixture. Please note, I have never tried the recipe like this so I really don't know how it will turn out. I'd love for you to report back to me here in the comment thread.
denise says
Dried cherries work perfect.
Lois says
Thanks Denise!!