Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Muffins

Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Muffins

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Have you ever wondered what happens when you mix two of the world’s most beloved flavors—chocolate and peanut butter—into one warm, fluffy muffin? If you’ve only ever eaten these two together in candy, you’re in for a game-changing treat. These Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Muffins are a soft, rich delight that blend bold cocoa with creamy peanut butter in every swirl. They’re not just muffins; they’re an experience—simple to bake, gorgeous to serve, and perfect for just about any time of day.

What Makes These Muffins So Special?

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Muffins

Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Muffins


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  • Author: nakisha
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 muffins 1x

Description

These Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Muffins are the ultimate sweet treat for chocolate and peanut butter lovers. Soft, moist, and filled with rich cocoa flavor and creamy peanut butter ribbons, these bakery-style muffins come together in under 40 minutes and make for an irresistible breakfast, snack, or dessert.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • Optional: Chocolate chips or chopped peanuts for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with liners or grease with cooking spray.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, sour cream, milk, oil, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  4. Combine Batter: Gently stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Make Peanut Butter Swirl: In a small bowl, mix peanut butter, powdered sugar, and milk until smooth and creamy.
  6. Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the chocolate batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
  7. Add the Swirl: Drop a spoonful of peanut butter mixture on top of each muffin and swirl with a toothpick or knife.
  8. Top and Bake: Optionally sprinkle with chocolate chips or chopped peanuts. Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
  9. Cool and Serve: Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.

Notes

You can use natural peanut butter, but it may need more milk to swirl easily. For an extra treat, add a chocolate chunk inside each muffin before baking. Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze for longer freshness.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American-Inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 muffin
  • Calories: 270
  • Sugar: 16g
  • Sodium: 180mg
  • Fat: 14g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 35mg

Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Muffins combine the richness of chocolate with the savory-sweet depth of peanut butter. They’re moist, tender, and studded with flavor in every bite. You don’t need fancy ingredients or baking skills—just a bowl, a spoon, and a craving for something indulgent. Best of all, they come together in under an hour, including prep and baking time.

  • Total time: 40 minutes
  • Prep time: 15 minutes
  • Bake time: 20–25 minutes
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Yields: 12 muffins

These muffins are perfect for breakfast, snack time, lunch boxes, or even a casual dessert.

Essential Ingredients

To make these muffins, you’ll need pantry staples. Here’s what to gather:

For the Chocolate Muffin Batter:

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Peanut Butter Swirl:

  • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk

Optional: Chocolate chips or chopped peanuts for topping

Step-by-Step Instructions

Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Muffins

1. Preheat Your Oven:
Start by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease with cooking spray.

2. Prepare the Chocolate Batter:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

In another bowl, whisk the eggs, sour cream, milk, oil, and vanilla until smooth. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir gently until just combined. Don’t overmix—lumps are okay. Overmixing leads to tough muffins.

3. Make the Peanut Butter Swirl:
In a small bowl, mix the peanut butter, powdered sugar, and milk. Stir until smooth and creamy. This mixture should be thick but pourable. If it’s too thick, add a splash more milk.

Assembly and Swirling Technique

Now for the fun part—combining the flavors.

1. Fill the Muffin Cups:
Spoon the chocolate batter into each muffin cup, filling them about 2/3 of the way full.

2. Add the Swirl:
Add about 1 teaspoon of the peanut butter mixture on top of each muffin. Use a toothpick, skewer, or the tip of a butter knife to swirl the peanut butter into the chocolate batter. Don’t overdo it—you want pretty swirls, not mixed batter.

3. Optional Topping:
Sprinkle a few chocolate chips or chopped peanuts on top for added crunch and visual appeal.

Baking the Muffins

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—it should come out with just a few moist crumbs.

Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

To store:
Place cooled muffins in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh at room temperature for 2–3 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.

To freeze:
Wrap each muffin in plastic wrap, then store in a zip-top freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or microwave for 15–20 seconds.

To reheat:
Microwave a muffin for about 10–15 seconds to warm it slightly and bring out the flavors again.

Creative Variations

Want to put your own spin on this recipe? Try one of these ideas:

  • Nutella Swirl: Swap out the peanut butter for hazelnut spread.
  • Almond Butter Twist: Use almond butter for a milder, slightly sweet nut flavor.
  • Banana Boost: Add mashed banana to the chocolate batter for extra moisture and a subtle banana-choco-peanut blend.
  • Mini Muffins: Use a mini muffin tin to make bite-sized treats. Reduce baking time to about 12–15 minutes.
  • Peanut Butter Core: Instead of swirling on top, add a teaspoon of peanut butter in the center of each muffin before baking.

Conclusion

Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl Muffins are proof that simple ingredients can create something extraordinary. They’re rich, satisfying, and flexible enough for any time of day. Whether you’re baking with kids, impressing guests, or just treating yourself, this recipe never fails.

Don’t be afraid to experiment with add-ins, toppings, or different nut butters—these muffins are just the beginning of what you can create in your kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?
Yes! Just substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.

Can I use natural peanut butter?
You can, but it might be harder to swirl. Make sure it’s stirred well and add a splash of milk if needed to thin it out.

Are these muffins low in sugar?
They’re a treat, so they do contain sugar. You can reduce the granulated sugar slightly or substitute with a natural sweetener like coconut sugar, but texture and flavor may vary.

Can I make them dairy-free?
Yes. Use plant-based milk (like almond or oat), dairy-free yogurt or sour cream, and dairy-free chocolate chips if adding.

What’s the best way to swirl the peanut butter?
Use a toothpick or a butter knife and make small figure-eight motions on the surface. Don’t stir too deep or you’ll lose the swirl effect.

How do I keep them moist?
The sour cream helps, but don’t overbake them. As soon as a toothpick comes out with crumbs (not wet batter), they’re done.

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