Baker Jane Dunn has shared her secret for achieving the gooiest chocolate muffins, and the key ingredient is a surprising fruity twist. Known as Jane's Patisserie, Dunn revealed in a recent TikTok video that packing the batter with fresh chopped cherries and a dollop of cherry jam creates an irresistible gooey centre.
The Secret Ingredient
Dunn explained that the combination of rich dark chocolate, fresh cherries, and cherry conserve results in a molten, unctuous centre when you bite into the muffin. She described the flavour as one she is 'obsessed with' and said the recipe is perfect for any Black Forest fan.
Easy Oil-Based Recipe
Dunn emphasised that the recipe is straightforward, using oil instead of butter. She said: 'This recipe is super easy to make as it is an oil-based recipe which means you can whack everything in a bowl, whisk all the liquids together, add your dry ingredients, and you have an out of this world muffin mixture ready to go.'
Tips for Perfect Muffins
To achieve a perfect rise, Dunn recommends using tulip cases instead of standard muffin cases. She also suggests pressing a fresh cherry and a chunk of chocolate into the top after baking for decoration. The cherry jam helps create a lovely texture and flattens the top slightly, but small craters are fine.
Recipe: Black Forest Muffins
Ingredients
- 125ml vegetable/sunflower/olive oil
- Two medium eggs
- One tsp vanilla extract
- 125ml buttermilk/natural yoghurt
- 175g light brown soft sugar
- 200g plain flour
- 35g cocoa powder
- One tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 200g chocolate chunks
- 200g fresh cherries
- 200g cherry conserve/jam (optional)
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) and line a muffin tray with 12 tulip cases.
- Whisk together the oil, eggs, and buttermilk. Add the sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt, and mix.
- Chop the chocolate and cherries, then fold through the batter. Divide evenly among the 12 cases.
- Optionally, pipe about a tablespoon of cherry jam into the centre of each muffin.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes. Press a fresh cherry and chunk of chocolate into the top of each muffin.
- Let them cool before serving.
Dunn's video has already garnered over 37,500 views and 1,127 likes, with comments praising the recipe as 'yummy' and 'absolutely gorgeous'. Try this unique twist on classic chocolate muffins for a gooey, fruity delight.
