Triple Chocolate Muffins Inspired by the Olympic Village

These viral triple chocolate muffins from the Olympic village dining hall are a dream come true for every chocolate lover. They’re bakery-style, tall, and filled with rich chocolate flavor, with a hidden surprise—a bit of smooth ganache in the center! Perfect for indulging your sweet tooth and impressing guests, these muffins are as decadent as they are delicious. Here’s how you can make them at home.

Ingredients You’ll Need for the Triple Chocolate Muffins:

For the Chocolate Muffins:

• Granulated sugar and brown sugar: Sweetens both the muffin batter and the cream cheese mixture.
• All-purpose flour: Provides structure to the muffins.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
• Baking soda: Helps the muffins rise and become fluffy.
• Eggs: Adds richness and helps bind the ingredients together.
• Neutral oil (like vegetable or canola): Keeps the muffins moist.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, sweet flavor.
• Coffee Powder: Intensifies the chocolate flavor and adds depth.
• Cocoa Powder: Provides a rich chocolate flavor to the muffins.
• Milk, warmed: Adds moisture and helps dissolve the coffee and cocoa powder for a smoother batter.
• Handful of dark chocolate chunks: Adds pockets of melted chocolate throughout the muffins.

For the Chocolate Ganache:

• Dark chocolate, chopped: Forms the base of the ganache, providing a rich chocolate flavor.
• Heavy cream: Creates a smooth, silky texture for the ganache and balances the richness of the chocolate.

Here are the essential tools you’ll need for making the Triple Chocolate Muffins:

• Mixing Bowls: You’ll need a few mixing bowls in different sizes to combine the dry ingredients and wet ingredients.
• Whisk: A whisk is essential for blending the dry ingredients and whisking the wet ingredients until smooth.
• Electric Mixer: An electric hand mixer or Stand Mixer will help you cream all of the ingredients, ensuring a smooth texture.
• Spatula: A silicone spatula is perfect for folding the wet and dry ingredients together without over-mixing.
• Muffin Pan: A muffin pan is needed to bake the muffins. Make sure it’s well-greased or lined with paper muffin liners.
• Measuring Scale: To accurately measure all your ingredients in grams.
• Cookie Scoop: A cookie scoop helps evenly distribute the batter into the muffin cups, ensuring uniform muffin sizes.
• Toothpicks: Toothpicks are handy for checking if the muffins are baked through.
• Cooling Rack: A cooling rack allows the muffins to cool evenly after baking, preventing them from becoming soggy.

Here is the full Recipe:

Ingredients:

For the Muffins:

• 60 g (1/4 cup) granulated sugar
• 60 g (1/4 cup) brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 55 g (1/4 cup + 1 tbsp) neutral oil (like vegetable or canola)
• 1 tsp coffee powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 130 g (1 cup) all-purpose flour
• 35 g (1/3 cup) baking cocoa
• 150 ml (1/2 cup) milk, warmed
• Handful of dark chocolate chunks

For the Chocolate Ganache:

• 28 g (1/4 cup) dark chocolate, chopped
• 60 ml (1/4 cup) heavy cream

Directions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 220°C (428°F). Line a muffin tin with five muffin liners.
2. Mix the Muffin Batter: In a medium bowl, whisk together the granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, and neutral oil until the mixture is smooth. Next, sift in the dry ingredients—coffee powder, vanilla extract, salt, baking soda, flour, and baking cocoa. Pour in the warmed milk and mix until everything is well combined.
3. Fill the Muffin Liners: Divide the batter evenly among the five muffin liners. Top each muffin with a handful of dark chocolate chunks.
4. Bake: Place the muffins in the preheated oven and bake at 220°C (428°F) for 7 minutes. Then, reduce the temperature to 175°C (350°F) and bake for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
5. Make the Ganache: While the muffins are cooling, prepare the chocolate ganache. Chop the dark chocolate and place it in a heatproof bowl. Warm up the heavy cream and pour it over the chocolate. Let it sit for 1-2 minutes, then stir until the ganache is smooth. Transfer the ganache to a piping bag or ziplock bag.
6. Fill the Muffins: Once the muffins have cooled slightly, use a paring knife to remove the center of each muffin. Pipe the ganache into the center of each muffin.
7. Set the Ganache: Allow the muffins to cool in the fridge for about 30 minutes so the ganache can set. Serve and enjoy your decadent triple chocolate muffins!

Tips & Tricks:

Tips for the Chocolate Muffins:

• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your eggs and milk are at room temperature before starting. This helps to create a smoother batter and better texture in your muffins.
• Mix Ingredients Carefully: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix until just combined. Overmixing can lead to dense muffins. It’s okay if there are a few lumps in the batter.
• Incorporate Chocolate Chips Evenly: Gently fold the chocolate chips into the batter to ensure they’re evenly distributed. This prevents them from sinking to the bottom during baking.

General Tips:

• Preheat Oven Properly: Preheat your oven to the correct temperature before baking. An oven thermometer can be handy to ensure accurate temperature.
• Start with High Heat: Bake the muffins at a higher temperature for the first 7 minutes to help them rise and develop a bakery-style dome. Then lower the temperature to ensure they cook through without burning.
• Use Muffin Liners: Line your muffin tin with paper liners to prevent sticking and to make cleanup easier.
• Fill Muffin Cups Generously: Fill the muffin cups almost to the top to get that bakery-style dome shape. The batter is thick, so you may need to use a spoon or scoop to fill the cups.
• Check for Doneness: Use a toothpick to check if the muffins are done. Insert it into the center of a muffin; it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
• Cool in the Pan: Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This helps them set and prevents them from falling apart.
• Enhance the Ganache: If you have extra chocolate ganache, you can drizzle it over the muffins once they are completely cooled for an extra touch of chocolate indulgence.

These tips will help you achieve delicious, tall, and perfectly baked triple chocolate muffins every time!

More Baking Ideas:

• Nutella Muffins – Craving a decadent treat? These Nutella Muffins are a delightful indulgence, combining rich Nutella with soft, fluffy muffin texture for a chocolate lover’s dream.
• Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins – Enjoy the perfect blend of ripe bananas and melty chocolate chips in these Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins. Each bite offers a soft, flavorful treat that’s both comforting and irresistible.
• White Chocolate Berry Muffins – Sweet, creamy white chocolate meets juicy berries in these White Chocolate Berry Muffins. They’re a delightful way to enjoy the best of both worlds, making them a must-try for any dessert lover.
• Strawberries & Cream Muffins – Savor the classic combination of sweet strawberries and creamy goodness with these Strawberries & Cream Muffins. Perfect for breakfast or a delightful snack, they bring a burst of flavor to your day.

Watch the recipe video here. Let’s get to baking! Here is the full recipe: