Recipe of the Week 7: Dark Chocolate Muffins

5 oz. dark chocolate, chopped (or bittersweet chocolate chips)
1/2 c. butter
2 c. flour
1/2 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs, slightly beaten
2/3 c. buttermilk
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. chocolate chips (I used 1/2 semisweet, 1/2 bittersweet)

Preheat oven to 350*.  Microwave dark chocolate and butter stirring every 30 seconds until completely melted.  Set aside to cool slightly.  Mix together the flour, brown sugar, baking powder and salt.  Add in eggs, buttermilk and vanilla, mix lightly.  Add in chocolate/butter mixture and stir until almost completely combined.  Stir in chocolate chips just until everything is mixed together.  Divide among prepared muffin cups.  Bake for 16-20 minutes (mine took 22-24 minutes).  Cool in pan for about 10 minutes and then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.  Store in an airtight container.

This recipe originated from Baking Bites and I must admit that I love it!  I have never had a chocolate muffin recipe turn out as well as this one.  I just can't seem to get enough of these things!

*The original recipe stated that 12 muffins would be made but somehow I ended up with enough batter for 15.
**When making muffins it is important not to over mix the batter otherwise large tunnels will form within the muffin.  I just barely mix to combine everything and then scoop into the muffins cups.