Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe

Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Muffins deliver the craveable flavor of classic red velvet cake in an easy, bakery-style muffin format.

With a fluffy, cocoa-infused crumb, just the right touch of tang from buttermilk, and plenty of gooey chocolate chips in every bite, these muffins make a perfect treat for breakfast, brunch, or anytime you want a sweet pick-me-up.

Their stunning red hue makes them a standout for Valentine’s Day, holidays, or any time you want to impress.

Ingredients Checklist

These ingredients create a dozen tall, bakery-style muffins:

• 1¼ cups (160g) all-purpose flour

• 2 tablespoons (12g) unsweetened natural cocoa powder

• ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar

• 2 teaspoons baking powder

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1 large egg, room temperature

• ½ cup (120ml) canola or vegetable oil

• ⅓ cup (80ml) buttermilk
  (or ⅓ cup milk + 1 tsp lemon juice or vinegar, combined and rested 5 mins)

• 2 teaspoons red liquid food coloring
  (or 1–2 teaspoons red gel for a deeper color)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• ½ cup (90g) mini or regular chocolate chips
  (white, semi-sweet, or a mix)

• Optional:

  • ½ cup (90g) white chocolate chips for a classic look

  • Zest of ½ an orange for a citrusy twist

  • ½ teaspoon espresso powder for more chocolate depth

For Cream Cheese Swirl (Optional):

• 3 oz (85g) cream cheese, softened

• 2 tablespoons (15g) powdered sugar

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s how to bake up a batch of tall, tender muffins with a beautiful red crumb and plenty of melty chocolate chips.

• Prep the Pan and Oven:
  Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) for a tall muffin top. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease well.

• Mix the Cream Cheese Swirl (if using):
  In a small bowl, mix softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Set aside.

• Combine Dry Ingredients:
  In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, and salt.

• Mix Wet Ingredients:
  In a separate bowl, whisk together egg, oil, buttermilk, food coloring, and vanilla until smooth.

• Combine Wet and Dry:
  Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients. Stir gently with a spatula until just combined—lumpy batter is perfect! Overmixing makes muffins tough.

• Fold in Chocolate Chips:
  Fold in chocolate chips (reserve a few for topping). If adding orange zest or espresso powder, fold in now.

• Fill the Muffin Tins:
  Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling almost to the top for tall muffins. If using, dollop 1 teaspoon of cream cheese mixture on each muffin and swirl gently with a toothpick. Sprinkle reserved chips on top.

• Bake:
  Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 5 minutes, then lower temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking 10–13 more minutes, or until tops are domed and a toothpick comes out mostly clean.
  (The high initial temp helps create a tall bakery-style top.)

• Cool:
  Let muffins cool in pan 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool fully.

Tips for Perfect Results

• Room temp ingredients blend best for a fluffy crumb.

• High-heat start: Baking at a higher temperature for the first 5 minutes ensures tall, domed muffins.

• Don’t overmix! Stir just until dry streaks disappear.

• Avoid overbaking: Muffins are ready when centers spring back lightly and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.

• For even chips: Toss chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon flour before folding in to prevent sinking.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm for gooey chocolate chips.

• Dust with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple glaze for extra sweetness.

• Pair with hot coffee, a latte, or cold milk.

• For Valentine’s Day, top with festive sprinkles or a small candy heart before baking.

• Split and fill with a dollop of sweetened cream cheese for a bakery-style treat.

Storage and Freezing

• Room temp: Store in an airtight container up to 3 days.

• Freeze: Wrap cooled muffins individually and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw at room temp or reheat in a microwave for 20–30 seconds.

• Refresh: Warm muffins in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to revive texture.

Final Thoughts

Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Muffins are proof that bakery-style treats are easy at home. With a simple, reliable batter, big red velvet flavor, and customizable chocolate chips, these muffins are sure to satisfy cravings year-round. Make a batch for holidays, birthdays, or whenever you want a little decadence with your coffee break!