Chocolate Coconut Muffins

My most enjoyable baking moments are in the quiet of the early morning, best time to concentrate on one of the things I love to do most…bake something sweet!

I came across this recipe for Chocolate Coconut Muffins in a muffin cookbook.  A small scrap of paper marked the page that was saved while recipe hunting through the book one fine day.

While moving my cookbook collection to a better location I noticed the scrap of paper peeking out from the book and became curious as to what recipe had once caught my eye. It was the coconut center that appealed to me most and since chocolate ranks high on my favourite flavours list there was no question that the time had come to try this recipe out.

These Chocolate Coconut Muffins looked more like cupcakes than muffins but I decided to reserve judgement until after tasting.  After some serious taste testing it was concluded that they do fit into the muffin category but should definitely be saved for more special occasions.

Perhaps a special breakfast?

Chocolate Coconut Muffins

Filling

¼ cup skim milk powder

2 tablespoons hot water

1 teaspoon soft butter

¼ teaspoon almond extract

1 cup coconut, flake or medium

1. In a small bowl mix milk powder with hot water stirring vigorously to blend well.
2. Stir in butter and almond extract then coconut.
3. Form into 9 balls set aside.

Muffins

2 cups all-purpose flour

¾ cups granulated sugar

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa

½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon baking powder

½ teaspoon cinnamon

1/3 cup oil (corn or canola)
1 cup milk
1 egg

1. In a large bowl sift together flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, salt and cinnamon, make a well in the center.
2. In a small bowl beat together milk, egg and oil.
3. Pour wet ingredients into well and stir until moistened.
4. Fill paper lined muffin tins ¾ full of batter.
5. Push coconut ball into center of each muffin.
6. Bake in preheated 400 degree F. oven for 20 to 25 minutes.
7. Makes about 9 large muffins.

Notes, Tips and Suggestions

• The original recipe states the yield as 16 muffins... no gorgeous muffin tops if you make this many.
• Reducing the number to 9 gives beautiful extra large, highly presentable muffins and a whole lot more coconut center.
• A very light dusting of confectioners' sugar is not essential but dresses them up considerably!