foodie fridays: ginger muffins with dark chocolate glaze
Currently, Mr. B is Moscow.
Moscow, Russia that is.
Wait. Is there any other Moscow named cities on this planet? Maybe at one point there was. Maybe the KGB got to them before the town hall voted in favor? I dunno.
What I do know, I’ve never been Russia. When I think of Russia, I imagine all the ladies are named Natasha and the men, Borris. They wear giant, obnoxiously large fur hats and drink vodka as if it’s water. In case you are wandering, two of those statements are factual according to Mr. B.
He also says the Russians have different vibe. He said the people are nice, but not warming like Midwestern farmers. They love music and have a pretty decent foodie palate. And no, he has not ordered a Moscow Mule yet. That’s like going to Ireland and ordering an Irish car bomb. You don’t mess with Russian juju.
So, while Mr. B braves the Siberian cold and learns to speak Russian ( “Nahz-drove-iya” means “To your health!”), I thought I would brave the baking world and whip up a batch of gingerbread muffins with dark chocolate glaze. Autumn to me screams ginger and chocolate.
Okay, and pumpkin. Jeeeez….tough crowd.
Ginger definitely has a commanding presence. But if you are little hesitant about making friends with a “ginger”, I highly suggest you try this dialed back muffin version. The ginger in these muffins don’t dominate, but still provide warmth to warm your tummy and toes.
The best thing about these muffins, besides the chocolate glaze, they are KGB approved.
Ginger Muffins with Dark Chocolate Glaze
Ingredients:
for the muffins:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1 stick unsalted butter, melted, cooled
1/3 cup buttermilk + 2 tablespoons
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1 tablespoon crystallized ginger, + more for garnish
for the chocolate glaze:
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons corn syrup
2 teaspoons hot water
Directions:
for the muffins:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium bowl, mix all the dry ingredients. In another medium bowl, mix together sugar, butter, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla exact. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients a 1/3 at time until the flour has been incorporated. Stir in the chocolate chips and crystallized ginger.
Line a 12 cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. Take an ice cream scoop, and scoop out the batter and fill each liner. Bake for about 15 minutes or until you insert a toothpick and it comes out clean. Remove from oven and set aside to cool on a wire rack.
Once the chocolate glaze has slightly cool, take a knife and spread some of the glaze on top of the muffin. Garish with a sprinkle of crystallized ginger!
for the chocolate glaze:
In a medium saucepan, add chocolate, butter, and corn syrup. Melt over low heat, stirring so it doesn't burn. Add a teaspoon of water to thin it out. Set aside to cool slightly.
adapted from food and wine magazine
All images and text ©
I love these – reminds me of Christmastime at my grandmother’s. Beautiful recipe, you make the best baked goods!
Well, thank you, Ali! I am not a big baker, but anything with chocolate is always fun to bake!
Oh Yum1 These look completely amazing!
Thanks, Carrian! Mwah!
Gingerbread is a new thing around here. My mom never made it growing up, but last year I gave it a try and loved it!! Can’t wait to try these muffins. The dark chocolate has me sold! 🙂
You will love these muffins, Tieghan! I hope you have a great weekend!
The flavors in these muffins are outrageous! Cutest muffin tops I ever did see 🙂
HA! I heart you friend!
My friend dated a Russian for a couple of years…he was definitely a hard nut to crack, but once you were in, he was a friendly and warm person. These muffins are goooorgeous! Love the chocolate and ginger together. Crystallized ginger is addicting! I want to lick the tops off all those muffins! 😉
That’s exactly what the hubs said! You gotta win them over. Maybe I should send a box of these muffins next time he visits:)
Loving the crystallized ginger! I could devour these in a flash!
Yeah, girl! You and me both! Have a great weekend!
GINGER! Loving that cooler temps bring on this spicy flavor. These look so good!
Thanks, Steph! Have a fabulous weekend!
Not sure how I fell about a country full of Boris…es (gosh pluralizing that was much hard than I expected). Sounds terrifying. Muffins though? Totally approachable! I love ginger but don’t think I’ve paired it with chocolate yet. Looks fantastic!
I know! Could you imagine? Thank goodness for dark chocolate muffins!
These are calling to me. Really. I can hear them. “Oh, Briiiiiiidget…..please make us and eat the entire batch.” When muffins call you, they must not be ignored.
LOL! Bridget, I am sending a crate over. I wouldn’t want to leave out a single taste bud:) Have a great weekend!
I could eat crystallized ginger by the pound! These cupcakes are absolute perfection!
Gurrrrrrl, me too! Thanks, Kelly! Have a super fun weekend!
I know quite a few russians who are named Natasha so you’re not too far off! And they all love their vodka. For breakfast. Sometimes.
Personally, I want one of these for breakfast. Or eight.
No way?! I’m kind of jelly that you have friends named Natasha who drink vodka for breakfast. Apparently, I need to get back to NYC asap!
Haha, I always think of Boris and Natasha as well. These muffins? Pretty dang awesome! Love the ginger!
Chocolate & ginger is pretty much my favourite flavour combination. These muffins look totally brilliant.
I hope Mr B is getting on okay in Russia. It’s such a different working culture that it can be a it of a shock to the system!
Thanks for the warm treat! You know how much i love ginger. Business dinner has a whole new meaning. Nizhniy was good to me and the guys I was traveling with we’re perfect company. The surprise in Moscow was all color.
Miss you tons
I grew up in upstate NY and have lived the last 54 years in Los angeles, but I do believe there is a Moscow, Idaho.
It’s definitely the season for ginger around here! These muffins sound so good, especially with chocolate. Why have I never thought to mix ginger and chocolate in baked good form before?
Cutest little muffins! Love the ginger.
I’ve really come around on ginger in the past few years – it adds such a nice warmth to treats. And you can definitely never go wrong throwing a little chocolate in there too! Love these, Lauren 🙂
I adore ginger, so pass me a dozen!!