About a month ago, my wonderful Grandma Mickey (the one who recently gave me a gorgeous sugar bowl) had a nasty fall which resulted in broken ribs and a punctured lung. I wouldn’t blame you for thinking that this would lead a lady in her mid-90s to be bed-ridden, but I would have to correct you in so thinking. See, my Grandma Mickey is made of tougher material than you’d expect, and she’s already back to gallivanting around, lunching out several times a week, and making new friends.
However, there has been one major change in her life, which is that she’s moved from her retirement village to a low-level-care respite centre. And in a respite centre, residents don’t have their own kitchens, nor much choice when it comes to their meals.
And so this week, for her 96th birthday, I decided to make my crossword-loving, optimistic, sweet-tooth and beloved Grandma Mickey a batch of fresh-from-the oven double chocolate chip muffins. Because, sometimes, a woman needs a homemade muffin, regardless of whether The Powers That Be say it’s snack-time or not. And because, more often than not, that muffin ought to be of the chocolate variety.
Happy birthday, Grandma. I promise I didn’t keep back too much of the batter to eat myself.
Double Chocolate Chip Muffins
Makes 12 large or 16 regular muffins (I made a half batch and got 8 out of it)
From Crave: A Passion for Chocolate
- 250g (2 cups) plain flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 30g (1/4) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 125g caster sugar
- 250g dark chocolate chips
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 310ml (1 1/4 cup) milk
- 90g (1/3 cup) unsalted butter, melted
- Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Butter muffins tins or line them with paper cases.
- Sift the flour, baking powder, cocoa and sugar into a large bowl, then stir in 2/3rds (165g) of the chocolate chips.
- In a separate bowl or jug, combine the eggs, milk, and melted butter. Gently stir this mixture into the dry ingredients, taking care not to overmix. Remember: small lumps are fine and dandy.
- Divide the mixture between muffin tins and sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips over the top.
- Bake for about 20 minutes, or until cooked when tested with a skewer. Cool in tin for 5 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
Note: If you’re taking these muffins to your grandma, make sure to wear your red coat and have a machete in hand in case you meet a wolf. After all, we can hardly rely on woodcutters to act as our saviours in these urban, purportedly-gender-equal times.
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What a perfect birthday pressie! I am sure she loved them
She told me she did, so I hope she wasn’t just being polite!
You are awesome and, I suspect, more than just a chip off the Old Grandma Mickey Block!
Ooh, those look yummy. Do you use silicon muffin pans? How do you find them? I got one for my birthday a few years ago and they are wonderfully non-stick but I can’t get my muffins to rise or go crispy in them. We only really use them for pastries and jellies these days.
Hmm… interesting. This is only the second time I’ve used the silicon muffin tins (the first time was for the carrot and cardamom muffins I blogged awhile back) and, now that you mention it, neither of these probably rose a huge amount nor got crispy on the outsides. I think Camille once mentioned a similar gripe to me about using silicon, actually. When using yours for jellies, do they still pop out easily?
Super easy, that’s why we use them. Their non-stickiness is their only saving grace!
Hmmm… I think I’ll refrain from getting any others, then. Such a shame, as I do love the non-stickness!
What a lovely birthday gift for your grandmother. She sounds like such a trooper, I hope i’m like that at her age
She really is! And I’m sure you will be
We all just need to stay optimistic and bubbly about life to be like her, I think!
Such a lovely granddaughter!
Thanks Fiona
How lovely!
I shall be interested to hear your response to Theresa’s questions about silicon pans…
Ask and ye shall receive! See above, my dear
YAY! Grandma Mickey is back gallivanting!! I bet she gallivants with style, too.
Small lumps are indeed fine and dandy, despite how useful you have made silicon appear in this recipe.
You have no idea how right you are – Grandma Mickey is very particular about dressing well
Also… *wipes away tears of laughter* I absolutely had “my lovely lady lumps” going around in my head while writing the recipe up.
Aww you’re so sweet Hannah! And I get the feeling that you’re a bit like her no?
Why ever would you say that? It’s not like we both plan restaurant meals around the dessert menu or anything…
She’s lucky to have such a caring grand daughter! I made my Nan Monte Carlo cookies for her 80th birthday recently. I find it hard to pick a present suitable for my Nan but she had a real sweet tooth so home made treats always go down well.
Your Gran sounds like a lovely lively life loving women!
She is, and I’m so happy that you could tell that from my post!
Oooh, Monte Carlo biscuits would have been a bit more complex than these muffins – I bet your Nan was super happy too! Thanks for stopping by!
These look incredible Han. You are so talented, my lovely.
Aw, thanks Robyn! But I’ve got nothing on you and you know it, what with your amazing dehydrator concoctions and smoothies!!
Oh your grandma is LUCKY – those look soooo good!
Thanks! You can’t really go wrong with chocolate muffins, though
I can taste them now… If I were a Big Bad Wolf, I would take the muffins and leave Little Red alone!
I am making those muffins. Lars will love me more. Thanks!
You know how much I enjoying strengthening other people’s relationships
Go forth and create love, fellow PhDer! 
Absolutely.MOUTHWATERING. Look at those chips glisten! I think this is the first time I have seriously craved cooked/baked foods all week. I’m sure your grandma LOVED them!
Actually, some of the chips got a bit burnt, whoops! *sheepish look* But what a compliment! This looks good after all your fancy chefery?! Wow!
oh now you are making me regret being virtuous and making banana cake instead of chocolate baking this week – the bananas were begging for it but I really had my eye on something chocolate just like this! Glad to hear your grandmother is doing well – but sorry to hear she doesn’t have a kitchen – just hope the food she gets is as good as she would make
Yes, fingers crossed! I think she’s missing yoghurt and fresh fruit, but we’re hoping to get her a bar fridge soon. And in the meantime, I’ll keep bringing her things that… aren’t yoghurt and fresh fruit
I bet your banana bread is amazing!
Awww, you must be the best grand daughter in the world! Happy birthday to Grandma Mickey!
Ah, I bet you’ve been pretty fantastic at grand-daughteriness in your time too! And thank you Agnes, I’ll pass that along
That’s a bit cute. Happy birthday Grandma Mickey
Thanks Anna! I’ll let her know
How sweet! Get well soon Grandma Mickey! And Happy Birthday! Did you put 96 little candles on them? I hope no wolfs attacked you for the muffins.
Heidi xo
Thanks on her behalf
Gosh, I didn’t even consider putting 96 candles on! Bit of a fire hazard in these warmer days, I think 
Luckily I went wolf-free!
Oh my heavens, I must make these for my husband!
If he likes chocolate, I’m sure he’ll like these!
oh yum, they look great. I’d eat them straight out of the oven so the chocolate chip are still melty
That’s *definitely* the best way to do it!
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