Chocolate Coconut Muffins with Leaky Center
These Chocolate Coconut Muffins are a deliciously moist treat with an irresistible melting chocolate center. They perfectly blend rich chocolate and tropical coconut flavours, ideal for a snack or dessert!
If you think about it, coconut and cacao beans come from Tropical regions, so why not combine them in a recipe? It’s a match made in heaven, literally! A secret hides at the center of each muffin: a leaky, smooth chocolate core. These low-sugar muffins use coconut milk, oil, and sugar to ensure the coconut shines through. It’s so pleasant to bite into these Chocolate Coconut Muffins as a snack or healthy dessert for the whole family.
Coconut Sugar vs. White Sugar
Did you know that coconut sugar contains nutrients like iron, zinc, calcium, potassium, etc., while the white variety contains nothing beneficial to your health? The glycemic index of coconut sugar is almost half that of white sugar, making for a smaller spike. However, they are both sucrose, which you must use in moderation, but if you have a choice, go for the slightly healthier one. This Chocolate Coconut Muffin batter contains less added sugar than most recipes, making it a great bite for the kids.
Check out this link if you want to know more about coconut sugar.
Does coconut sugar taste like coconut?
Well, not really. The sugar is made from the tree’s sap, not the fruit. Its taste is similar to brown sugar but has a stronger caramel undertone. In other words, you could easily replace it with brown sugar.
Coconut Oil
So, to make it a truly coconut muffin, I’ve used coconut oil instead of butter or other oil to help moisten these little bad boys.
There are two types of coconut oil:
Refined Coconut Oil: This oil has a higher smoke point, making it ideal for cooking at higher heat, like sauteing, frying, etc., and doesn’t taste like coconut.
Unrefined or Virgin Coconut Oil: This oil tastes like coconut and will not fade with heat. It is often used in curries and is recommended for this recipe.
The Chocolate Center
This is the luxury part of the recipe: a tiny melting chocolate core, which you can create by simply inserting a cube of your favourite high-cacao chocolate bar into the center of each muffin. It’s even better if you manage to find a coconut chocolate bar! I love a leaky center; it adds texture and pop to an otherwise monotonous snack. This is optional, especially if you intend to make it for younger kids.
The Sweet Factor
Other than the coconut sugar, the natural sweetness of coconut milk and almond powder will shine through. Plus, who doesn’t love a bit of a nutty touch on their muffins?
Also, it is better to use cacao powder and not cocoa powder, which is sweetened.
Chocolate and Coconut Muffins
Ingredients
- 200 g flour
- 100 g almond powder
- 200 ml coconut milk
- 50 g coconut sugar
- 50 ml coconut oil
- 15 g cacao powder
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp baking powder
- salt
Center (optional)
- milk chocolate bar 12 small pieces
Toppings (optional)
- powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (375°F) and line a muffin tin with paper liners or grease with butter or non-stick spray.
- In a big bowl, mix all the dry ingredients: flour, almond powder, cacao powder, coconut sugar, baking powder and salt.
- Mix the wet ingredients in another bowl: eggs, coconut milk and coconut oil.
- Combine both and mix until smooth and homogenous.
- Fill the muffin rack with the batter, adding a piece of dark chocolate in the center of each muffin and covering it up with the batter.
- Bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. If you check with the usual toothpick, avoid hitting the chocolate center.
- Cool the muffins on a rack and cover with powdered sugar.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Did You Make This Recipe?
Share your thoughts on it! Leave a comment or share a picture and tag me @littlenomadsrecipes on Instagram.
This recipe was amazing! It was easy to prepare and so delicious. I can’t wait to make these again!!
Something special about this little melting heart, isn’t it?
I’ve always loved the combination of chocolate and coconut, but for me, the best part of this recipe is actually the leaky center. If there’s no leaky center, I feel like there’s something missing, so I can’t wait to try your recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Yeah, I do love a happy melty center! It could also be little frozen coconut cream pellets in there. Enjoy!
This recipe sounds delicious! I have used coconut oil but never coconut sugar. You have me intrigued! Of course, anything chocolate is always a hit! Thanks for sharing!
Yes, a loads coconut ingredients muffin! Enjoy!
These turned out so good. The perfect combination of my two favorite ingredients. Would be making them again!
Sadly not seeing this combo much, but so delicious this choco-coco duo!
Yum yum yum! I will definitely try it
I’m glad! Let me know how it goes!
Chocolate and coconut is one of my favorite combos so these muffins sound right up my alley. They look delicious and the recipes looks nice and easy to make. My family eats muffins every week, so I will have to give these a try.
Yes, great to keep in the freezer. I simply warm them up in the microwave to get the center leaky and as good as freshly done!
I’ll be giving this recipe for chocolate coconut muffins a try this weekend! Give me all things chocolate!! I love that this recipe is low in sugar since I’m focusing on decreasing my sugar intake.
Yes, low in sugar but still tasty! You’ll see!