Master perfect chocolate muffins with this fail-safe recipe from Annabel Karmel's Busy Mum's Cookbook. Made with melted dark chocolate, these heavenly sponges are surprisingly light - and they rise perfectly. Devour as soon as they're cool enough to handle, or enlist the kids to help decorate them with chocolate butter cream icing and sprinkles. Utter indulgence.<br /><br />Best-ever chocolate muffins <br /><br />Makes 12 portions Prep 20 mins Cook 20-30mins<br /><br />INGREDIENTS<br /><br />100g / 4 oz dark good quality chocolate broken into pieces plus an extra 50g / 2 oz to decorate<br /><br />175g / 6 oz unsalted butter<br /><br />225g / 8 oz caster sugar <br /><br />3 large eggs at room temperature<br /><br />225g / 8 oz self raising flour<br /><br />20g / 3/4 oz cocoa powder <br /><br />A pinch of salt <br /><br />Chocolate Buttercream Icing<br /><br />79g / 2 1\2 oz unsalted butter, softened<br /><br />150g / 5 oz icing sugar, sifted<br /><br />2 tbsp cocoa powder<br /><br />1 tbsp milk<br /><br />METHOD<br /><br />1.Preheat the oven to 160C / 325F and line a 12 hole muffin tray with paper cases.<br /><br />2.Melt the chocolate and butter together in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.<br /><br />3.Beat the sugar and eggs in a bowl until thick and creamy, then fold in the cooled chocolate mixture. Sift in the flour, cocoa powder and salt and whisk forms further 20 seconds.<br /><br />4.Divide the batter evenly between the paper cases. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until well risen and just firm in the middle. Leave to cool for a few minutes in the muffin tray before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.<br /><br />5.To make the icing, beat the softened butter with half of the icing sugar until smooth, then add the remaining sugar, cocoa powder and milk. Whisk until fluffy.<br /><br />6.Pipe or spread the buttercream icing onto the muffins, then chop or grate the remaining 50f / 2 oz chocolate to decorate.<br /><br />Like this? Subscribe to the YouTube channel for more Mumsnet content. New videos every week: http://tiny.mn/1k47ooT<br /><br />See more videos at http://www.mumsnet.com/video<br /><br />Mumsnet is the UK's biggest online network for parents. Join the conversation at www.mumsnet.com<br /><br />Like Mumsnet on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mumsnet<br />Follow Mumsnet on Twitter: @mumsnettowers
