It was a quiet Sunday morning when I first made these sour cream chocolate chip muffins. The kitchen smelled warm and sweet, and my daughter, still in pajamas, sat at the counter waiting for the first bite. The way the chocolate melted into tender muffin crumbs made them irresistible. So today, I’m sharing this Sour Cream Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe with you, friend — because these muffins deserve a spot in your cozy kitchen too.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Muffins
These Sour Cream Chocolate Chip Muffins have everything we love in a comforting bake. In fact, Sour Cream Chocolate Chip Muffins offer perfect moisture, texture, and chocolate in every bite. First, they are incredibly tender thanks to the sour cream, which keeps them moist but never heavy. Each bite feels soft yet substantial, with bursts of melty chocolate chips throughout.
They also come together quickly and easily. In fact, you probably have everything you need in your pantry right now! Perfect for a lazy weekend or an after-school treat.
Kids love them. Adults sneak them. And because they stay moist for days, they’re perfect for packing into lunchboxes or enjoying with a cozy cup of coffee.
If you enjoy these, you might also love my Easy cinnamon muffins for cozy mornings!
Ingredients Overview
Here’s what makes these muffins special and how you can adjust if needed:
- All-purpose flour: Forms the tender crumb
- Baking powder & baking soda: Give the perfect rise
- Salt: Balances sweetness
- Sugar: Sweetens and creates a golden top
- Butter: Adds richness
- Vanilla extract: Warm depth
- Eggs: Structure and richness
- Sour cream: The key to moisture and softness
- Buttermilk: Lightens texture
- Mini chocolate chips: Little chocolate pockets
- Coarse sugar (optional): For sparkle and crunch on top
Feel free to swap in dark or white chocolate chips for variety. Want a fall twist? Try my Pumpkin chocolate chip muffins recipe!
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare Dry Ingredients
Preheat your oven to 425°F.
In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients
In a separate large bowl, whisk 1 cup sugar with 1/2 cup melted, cooled butter.
Add 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and 2 large eggs, whisking until smooth. Then whisk in 1/2 cup sour cream and 1/2 cup buttermilk.
3. Combine & Fold in Chocolate Chips
Next, add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined (lumps are okay — don’t overmix).
Fold in 1 1/4 cups mini chocolate chips.
4. Fill, Top & Bake
Use an ice cream scoop to evenly fill muffin tins right to the top. Sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips and a pinch of coarse sugar for sparkle if you like.
Bake at 425°F for 5 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 375°F (without opening the oven door). Bake another 10–12 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
5. Cooling & Storage Tips
Let muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days — though they rarely last that long in my house!
Expert Tips for Perfect Muffins
- Use an ice cream scoop: This gives you evenly sized muffins every time.
- Avoid overmixing: It keeps muffins tender and light.
- Temperature trick: Starting hot then lowering the oven temp helps create a bakery-style domed top.
- Mini muffins option: Just reduce baking time a bit for adorable mini versions!
If you love soft, bakery-style muffins like these Sour Cream Chocolate Chip Muffins, you’ll want to try my Perfect soft chocolate chip cookies recipe next.
Sour Cream Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe Card
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Sour Cream Chocolate Chip Muffins
- Total Time: 32 mins
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
Description
Tender, moist muffins filled with melty mini chocolate chips and a subtle tang from sour cream — perfect for cozy mornings or sweet afternoon treats.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup melted and cooled butter
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 1/4 cups mini chocolate chips (plus extra for topping)
Coarse sugar for topping (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 425°F.
2. Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl.
3. In another bowl, whisk sugar, butter, vanilla, eggs, sour cream, and buttermilk until smooth.
4. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet until just combined.
5. Fold in chocolate chips.
6. Fill muffin tins to the top.
7. Sprinkle extra chips and coarse sugar on top if desired.
8. Bake 5 minutes at 425°F, then reduce oven to 375°F and bake 10-12 minutes more.
9. Cool muffins in pan briefly, then transfer to wire rack.
Notes
Use an ice cream scoop for evenly sized muffins.
Let muffins cool slightly before removing from pan.
You can substitute different types of chocolate chips.
Mini muffins will need a shorter bake time.
To make buttermilk substitute: add 1 tsp lemon juice or vinegar to 1/2 cup milk and let sit 5 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 17 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 352
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 328mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 57mg
Related Recipes to Try
Looking for more cozy bakes? Try my Pumpkin cream cheese swirl muffins or Easy cinnamon muffins for cozy mornings. Both are reader favorites!
Final Thoughts
These Sour Cream Chocolate Chip Muffins feel like a hug in a paper liner.. I hope you bake a batch soon and enjoy every soft, chocolatey bite.
If you do, I’d love if you shared a photo on Pinterest or left a comment below. Happy baking, friend!
FAQ
Does sour cream make muffins moist?
Yes! Sour cream adds moisture and keeps the texture soft and tender without being heavy.
How do you keep chocolate chips from sinking in muffins?
Coat chips lightly in flour before folding into batter, and use mini chips which suspend better.
What does sour cream do to chocolate chip cookies?
Sour cream makes cookies soft, moist, and slightly tangy — just like in muffins.
Why do people add sour cream to muffins?
Sour cream adds moisture, tenderness, and a subtle tang that enhances flavor beautifully.
