How to make delicious terracotta pot chocolate muffins

Terracotta is one of the hottest trends right now. It’s in everything from floors and walls to accessories and kitchenware. I love terracotta, it’s got an amazing natural look to it and it pairs incredibly well with warm colours like quartz and coral, as well as cooler hues like aqua and turquoise. But I have to admit that I have never tried my hand at baking with this ancient clay, so when Kari sent me this delicious recipe for terracotta pot chocolate muffins that use little terracotta garden pots as baking moulds, I couldn’t resist! It’s really cute and different, and will work equally well for a tea party and a dinner party. Pair these pretty pots with some crisp white linen and greenery and you’ll have a beautiful table as well as a stunning desert.

But don’t take it from me, here’s what Kari says:

This is literally the BEST chocolate cupcake recipe ever! I have shared it with so many people and they all come back telling me that they never knew it would be so easy to bake these delicious treats. The secret however is the NoMU cacao powder which takes your baking to the next level!

I purchased the little terracotta pots from Builders Warehouse. I then added the little food flags that you can download here. They were actually created for Christmas, but can be used all year round.

BEST chocolate cupcake recipe ever

(makes 18 standard sized cupcakes)

Ingredients:

225g unsalted, softened butter
225g castor sugar
225g self-raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla essence
4 heaped tbsp

Method

Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees celcius
Place 18 paper baking cases in a muffin pan or alternatively use small terracotta pots lined with greaseproof baking paper
Place all the ingredients in a mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until smooth and pale
Spoon the mixture into the cases
Bake for 20-25 minutes
Cool for 5 minutes before serving

These delicious muffins are best enjoyed with a glass of milk on a cold winter’s day and can be served with a dollop of cream or berry compote on the side. Dipping them in caramel is a treat for the little ones.