2 large eggs
2/3 cup sour cream
1/3 cup vegetable oil
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, sour cream and oil until really well combined. Whisk in sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and vanilla until well combined. Stir in flour and chocolate chips until just combined.
Divide batter into muffin cups using a cookie scoop. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and well risen.
Makes 12 big muffins
danggit, fathers day is THIS sunday?! i picked up a shift that day for work!!! gah, the problem with being nice: you end up missing an important holiday =.=
ReplyDeleteHave fun in Chicago! That's where I say I'm from...Minneapolis to Chicago technically. But San Diego is home forever now!
ReplyDeleteBut you will LOVE LOVE LOVE Chicago. The shopping, food, culture, sights...youre gonna have so much fun!
I think I know what I'm gonna make for breakfast tomorrow. :) Yum! And your Chicago trip is an excellent mutual gift idea! Fun!
ReplyDeleteYou should totally go on the Chicago Architecture Boat Tour- it's fantastic. Also the Museum of Science and Industry is the best (and most fun) museum in Chicago although it can be a little pricey. Enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteLove these muffins. You're so lucky Chicago!
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous you're going to Chicago!! I've never been before but desperately want to. I want to go to the Art Institute of Chicago, see all the public art, and most importantly eat TONS of delicious food including deep dish pizza. Have a fantastic trip!!
ReplyDeleteHave fun in Chicago! Always a good time. And good luck with your decisions about pastry school. Can't wait to hear more!
ReplyDeleteIf you can figure out a way to get yourself to Deerfield in 'burbs while you're there, have breakfast at the Eggshell Cafe. Maybe I can get Kevin's brother to help you find it.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely see the Institute of Art. Such great works there. I could spend a week there. I think some of the other Chicago museums are a bit too kid-oriented. While you're at the institute, have lunch at Terzo Piano. I've never eaten there, but I tried after my sister-in-law told me how good it was. Kevin and I couldn't figure out how to find the place! We just couldn't get on the right elevator. We ended up in the cafeteria on the bottom level. I want to see a blog about it!
Maybe while you're there you can get to the Cupcake Gallery, or at the very least Darius' Lunch Wagon will be in the neighborhood.
I'm so excited for you. I know you'll have a blast!
I LOVE the restaurant Avec in Chicago. You should check it out. I also just thought that walking near Lake Michigan near the museums was really beautiful!
ReplyDeleteCoincidence or not that I happen to have all these ingredients waiting for me in my kitchen?
ReplyDeleteI live in the city - you're going to love it. Definitely try to do all the things on your list. And be sure to let us know how the pastry school was - exciting!!!
megmacdesigns.blogspot.com
I have a few suggestions of what to do while in Chicago since I live here. Maybe you will enjoy them :). If you decide to shop the Mag Mile, right across the street from the WaterTower is Ghirardelli and this is one of my addictions the shakes and dark chocolate hot fudge is amazing. Right next to Ghirardelli is Bistro 110 and although it is a bit pricey....they have this pizza appetizer " pizza de la maison" which is about $7 and it is amazing as well as the brie stuffed artichokes....this could be a nice brunch or lunch while shopping :). Sprinkles cupcakes just opened a few months ago and I had to see what all the fuss was about so I tasted them and they were actually quite good just a rare treat at almost $4 a cupcake :(. Save yourself some money when it comes to going to the skydeck....we always take people there and pay the $20+ entrance fee just to walk around and then leave. Go to the John Hancock 96th floor. The restaurant is on the 95th and there is a nice bar/lounge area on the 96th. You can order a cocktail or appetizer or dessert sit at one of the tables and enjoy the view at night. You don't pay an entrance fee and you get to eat or drink something. Gino's is a good choice, so is Giordano's or UNO's :). Well this is a long comment so I'll stop but if you have any questions let me know :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like so much fun! I think you have a pretty good list of things to do on the trip - I would say the pizza is a must :) I have always wanted to visit Chicago, so I will be anxiously awaiting your post trip recap!
ReplyDeleteAnd I hope your search of pastry schools is going well :)
Hi! Welcome--in advance--to Chicago! I have to be honest, you should go to Lou Malnati's instead of Gino's but that's just my opinion.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you must go to Molly's Cupcakes. I did a cupcake crawl two summers ago... and Molly's was #1. Apparently Magnolia Bakery is also opening this month in Chicago.
I am assuming you have had Garrett's Popcorn, but if you have not, then you must stop there!
Ultimately, I know you have a boyfriend and tons of bloggers that you are close with, but if you are looking for Chicago bloggers to meet up with, let me know. I suppose post a comment to my age-old post on Cereality (teaching high school and working in a bakery was really too much this year...) and we can figure out a safe way to be in contact.
Best--
Lauren
Yummm! These look and sound wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHave fun touring the school. Please take many pictures and let us know how it goes! :D
The choc chip muffins look delicious and so cute. Can't wait to see what you bake for fathers day.
ReplyDeleteHave a fab time in Chicago. Its the only place in the USA I've visited. Check out my post about the trip here:
http://appleandspice.blogspot.com/2009/08/eating-my-way-around-chicago.html
I'd reccommend a pancake breakfast at Ihop - may not be gourmet but we don't have anything like it here - oh and the icream place - nitrogen frozen ice cream!! Oh and the proper bagels, and pretzels...and cupcakes! Darn it, everywhere is good!
MMMkay- these look fantastic.....definitely making them. When I was in Chicago we LOVED Lou Malnati's Pizza- so good :) Here's the link for you- and have a fantastic time!! http://www.loumalnatis.com/Locations/
ReplyDeleteThe muffins look great!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree about the Architectural Boat Tour, for sure. Gino's East is a great place, but I also like Lou Malnati's for pizza.
The Art Institute is great, and the new modern wing is fabulous! All the museums are awesome, really.
I'd also recommend grabbing a cocktail at the Signature Lounge - 96th floor of the Hancock. But DON'T eat dinner at the Signature Room (way overpriced for mediocre food, at best). Some of my favorite restaurants in the city are MK, Landmark, Blackbird, Topolobampo. Get lunch one day at Xoco! Have a great trip. :)
Awesome! I hope you enjoy your Chi trip! I recommend hitting up the Shedd Aquarium while you're there - totally awesome place to visit! And if you're into some different ethnic food, check out Taste of Peru. Awesome, awesome food (their tamales are delish and the paella is loaded with seafood) and nice service!
ReplyDeleteOh, I have to throw in a few more food suggestions (the most important thing, obviously) that I forgot. There's a great spice store (the Spice House) in Old Town and right next to it is a fab oil/vinegar store (Old Town Oil). And have brunch at Yolk or the Bongo Room. If you're -planning on heading a little north of downtown (but still in Chicago) check out Sweet Mandy B's and Floriole, which are conveniently on the same street and both really awesome bakeries.
ReplyDeleteExciting! I've never been to Chicago but I REALLY want to go!
ReplyDeleteChocolate chip muffins sound super spiffy fantastic to me!
Go to Yolk! Its a breakfast/brunch/lunch place. It's really really good and they have the best coffee I've ever had!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great and simple recipe! Chocolate chips always make everything better. Have fun in Chicago. Can't wait to hear all about it. :)
ReplyDeleteoh gurlll im from chi town! your going to love it, I live in portland oregon now but I miss that city so much sometimes!
ReplyDeleteDon't waste your time at navy peer, theres much better things to do! Eat at KUMAS CORNER. do it. your going to have so much fun!
Have a great time on your trip.
ReplyDeleteI just happen to have all the ingredients for those in my pantry so I'll be baking these tonight. Looks delicious.
Check the museums' websites for free days or hours. The Shedd Aquarium and the Art Institute were my favorites. The only thing at Navy Pier worth checking out is the ferris wheel. I like to go to Crate & Barrel and check out all the kitchen gadgets since we don't have one near us. We always go to Giordano's for pizza. Another place that's quite an experience is Ed Debevics. It's like a 50s diner with waiters who are intentionally rude and funny. They have good milkshakes.
ReplyDeleteI have such fond memories of chocolate chip muffins! My mom made them on various Saturday mornings throughout the year. I would love to try yours!
ReplyDeleteI am SO SO SO excited for you to go to Chicago! Can't wait to hear about it. I would love to go someday.
I second the eating at Kuma's Corner (awesome burgers on pretzel buns...so goooood), as well as XOCO and Lou Malnati's for the best deep dish pizza. Also check out Hendrixx Belgian Bakery, they have the BEST croissants.
ReplyDeleteThey also have a few different food tours that I keep wanting to go on, like the Chocolate Tour and Pizza Tour. Then you can decide which pizza you like best!
And I would love to have a bloggers meet up like Lauren mentioned! But I'm sure after all of these suggestions that we are giving you, there won't be a second to do anything else!
Have fun and be safe!
I second the Garrett's Popcorn recommendation. They make the best cheese popcorn. Get the Chicago Mix - half cheese, half caramel. So good!
ReplyDeleteHey, somtimes simple is best. I have a friend who adores muffins of any kind, and I can predict her loving these. THanks for a basic recipe - sometimes it is so hard to find good ones!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to know how your train ride goes! I've been trying to talk my husband into taking the train to Chicago, but he's not sold on the idea. I think it'd be much easier than having to drive there. We're only about 5-6 hours south of Chicago in southeastern Indiana, and neither of us has ever been to Chicago. I think a train trip to Chicago for 2-3 days could be a fun little vacation this fall. Hope you have a good time!!
ReplyDeleteOh I do love Chicago! I would totally recommend skipping Navy Pier altogether (it's a waste of time; just a kind of annoying touristy place to find glittery plastic keychains) and heading to the Shedd Aquarium and whatever museums interest you. The museums and aquarium are, I believe, free Mondays and Tuesdays. There are beautiful parks everywhere within the city and at night there's always good jazz or other music to find. Have a ball!
ReplyDeleteCourtney
Here's a cool foodie guide to Chicago: http://bakingbites.com/2011/06/one-day-foodie-tour-of-chicago-2/#more-10630
ReplyDeleteHave fun!
Thanks everyone! You all are so helpful! I'm going to have to make up a list of what we have to do while we're there. And what NOT to do... AKA Navy Pier, apparently. Haha.
ReplyDeleteVoices, that sounds like a museum... and what is this boat tour? I've never heard of it.
Rachel, I think I'd probably prefer going to the art institute over some of the other museums, honestly.
Jillian, okay... Avec... I'm googling that right now.
Ella, did you say shakes?? I'm there. :) Molly's Cupcakes sounds good. I'm putting that on the list. I've already been to Magnolia, so I can definitely skip that. That's good advice about the Skydeck. I'll see what Eric thinks. I think I can skip that too. The pizza appetizer sounds great.
Pebbles, Lou Malnati's?! You're the first of many commenters to bring this pizza place up. It must be THAT good. I wonder if we can eat at Gino's East and Lou's?? I think we can. As for the meet-up, I think that sounds like so much fun. I'd love to get some Bloggers together. I'm worried about time though. We're basically only there for two days, and one of them is the tour.
Elly, thanks for the restaurant recommendations! I have a feeling we'll just end up picking a random place every night. It's important to me to eat well, though! :)
Lauren, sounds great!
Michelle, I LOVE breakfast! Hopefully Yolk is in the downtown area? I'll google it and see.
Jennie, I love diners... I don't know about the rude staff, though. I think I would get pissed off! Haha.
Mona, Kumas Corner??? What is that? I'm googling it. Thanks for the recommendation.
Erica, that would be so much fun! I wish we all could meet up. I wonder how many people would actually show? Thanks for the recommendations. That bakery sounds fantastic. What is XOCO? Need to google that too... Ohhhh it's Rick Bayless' restaurant. YES! We must! Is it better than Frontera?
Anon, I've heard of Garett's Popcorn but haven't tried it. That's on my list too!
Jeannine, I will definitely give you an honest review of how it was. It seems like a good deal. It's cheap and you get to relax the whole time.
Thanks Anon! Baking Bites is a great site.
I love your blog@ It's really lovely. Make sure to go to Le Colonial for great Vietnamese food, More for the best cupcakes around, get some Carol's Cookies (they sell them in some grocery stores, definitely the Whole Foods in Evanston), and go to the restaurant at Neiman Marcus for incredible popovers with strawberry butter
ReplyDeleteWoops! I nearly forgot! Veerasway, which is fresh Indian, is wonderful, and Fred's at Barney's has the perfect, thin, salty french fries
ReplyDeletewww.bakingthebook.blogspot.com
I've never been to Magnolia but the Sprinkles Cupcakes were good so you should visit :) also Groupon has the Boat tour for half the price today so you might wanna check it out if its something you will want to do while you are here :)
ReplyDeleteKuma's was actually a place that I couldn't wait to try because I heard such good things but I wasn't impressed. It has very interesting burgers and its said to be the best in Chicago. IT's very small, loud and the burgers were that great so personally I wasn't too thrilled.
Have fun in Chicago! These muffins look good; sometimes the simplest ones are the best!
ReplyDeleteHave fun in Chicago!
ReplyDeleteThese muffins look great too. I would like to eat a few right now. Toasted. With lots of butter...yum!
I second the suggestions of skipping Navy Pier,going to the Signature Room for a drink and the view, and taking an Architecture Boat Tour.
ReplyDeleteMay I also suggest the Bongo Room for breakfast (especially their pancakes). Also, it would be a bit of a trip from downtown, but Longman and Eagle has some phenomenal food at good prices.
Finally, when you get to town a quick look through the Chicago Reader http://www.chicagoreader.com/ will show you all the events going on in Chicago for the week.
Yay for Chicago!!! I totally miss it and wished we still lived there. I'll be jealous if you move there :) Hope you have fun checking out the school.
ReplyDeleteAnd the muffins look fabulous too, of course!
Hey Emily-
ReplyDeleteI toured the French Pastry School last February. It was a LOT of fun to tour. Def. bring Eric with you...we were given sample of delicious croissants/chocolate/other goodies and coffee or tea. The chef demonstrated how to make caramel/chocolate molds and a few other items. After the class they will show you around the facility and then you should hit ginos east when you are all finished.
I went with my mom and we had the best time..I really wanted to attend..but it's REALLY expensive to live in Chicago as well as attend this school. I turned it down mainly because of the cost but you will have to see what you can afford. Have a blast and enjoy the goodies! :)
hey...just wanted to jump in on the chicago advice :) i totally agree with the many that said lou malnati's. it's my fav. (except for the sausage pizza...i would skip that..it's like one giant blanket of sausage instead of pieces. just wasn't my style, but maybe it's yours:). i'm also in agreement with molly's cupcakes! just went there a couple weeks ago. fabulous. and they have swings at the counter that you can sit at. :) if you're on michigan ave and need some food...there's a place called bandera. just been there once, but it was wonderful! they have a salad that i think was called the "macho salad"...delicious. and it's a great date atmosphere. :) also...zed 451 is fantastic. i'm not gonna lie, it's a little pricey, but it's worth it. :) enjoy your trip!!
ReplyDeletepizza uno's is my favorite. they have it in minneapolis, but they don't have the amazing deep dish pizza.
ReplyDeletenavy pier is fun... just don't eat there - it's bad food and a rip off. go on the ferris wheel though and just walk around. it's fun.
china town is fun.
i loved millenium park ... watching the kids in the water fountains was so entertaining. we jumped in too. makes for good pictures. :)
go to the top of the chrysler building.
shop the nbc store and look in the clearance section for funny tshirts.
dunkin donuts. :)
i adore the windy city!
ps plan a trip to minneapolis. we have WAY fun things here too.
Hey Emily,
ReplyDeleteI didn't read through all of the comments but I wanted to put my two cents in. I had to travel to Chicago for work a few years ago and I only had one evening to sight see. My husband and I took a cab down to the Navy pier first. We didn't stay long but it was totally worth the time that we spent there. We rode the ferris wheel and got a souvenir photo made. I TREASURE that photo to this day! I think you should go to Navy pier just to check it out. After the pier we walked back down that main drag (Michigan Ave)and visited some of the stores. I say NAVY Pier it!!!
Hi Haley! Thank you! Thanks for the great recommendations!
ReplyDeleteHi Anon! Thank you@
Ella, ah okay. I'm thinking there's no way we can go to all of these places!
Hi Maureen, wow! The tour sounds great! I think we'll have a really good time. Especially with all of those samples! :)
Yes, it's very, very expensive, isn't it? It's actually not my top choice as of right now.
Brooke, thanks for the recommendations! I don't think we'd order sausage pizza, anyway. Thanks for the warning! :D I need to look up where this Lou's pizza place is...
Marla, I bet you do! I'd love to visit Minneapolis. Everyone I've met from Minnesota has been so nice. Thanks for the recommendation! Uno sounds good. We should eat deep dish pizza every night!
Liz, aww that sounds so nice! Maybe we will have to visit Navy Pier after all! I think it's pretty close to our hotel, too.
So fun!! I actually live in Chicago (born and bred!) and attended the French Pastry School and L.O.V.E.D. it. The instructors are amazing-so worth considering going here! (Plus-Chicago is awesome!!)
ReplyDeleteI like that ingredient list for those muffins ... all things that I have on hand all the time!
ReplyDeleteSorry for checking in a little late but I have to share. I have been to Chicago 3 times and even though I am from NYC, I adore their pizza. I have had several there and Giordanos and Lou Malnatis are my favs, with a slight preference for LM. Try them both though - you won't be disappointed. Have fun!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh - and you muffins look super delish too. The perfect excuse to enjoy chocolate for breakfast.
ReplyDeleteOh, I just came back to this page and realized I never wrote a review of these muffins! WE LOVED THEM!! I think they're my favorite chocolate chip muffins I've ever made. So much flavor, not AT ALL bland like some CC muffins. This is definitely my go to recipe. Thanks, Emily!!
ReplyDeleteLisa, I'm so glad you liked them!! I really need to bake these again.
ReplyDelete