One Bowl Chocolate Chip Muffin Bread Recipe
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What’s Up, Hungry People
If you love muffins, then you’re going to love muffin bread! This delicious treat takes my favorite muffin batter and turns it into a sliceable loaf. It’s the perfect way to enjoy muffins in a whole new form.
Another bonus? You only need one bowl to make it! No more fussing around with multiple dishes, and you don’t have to clean up a pesky muffin tin afterward. It’s a win, win, win!
What’s a Muffin Bread?
Did I just make it up? Sorta, kinda. Am I declaring it a thing now? Absolutely! Muffin bread is literally the lazy way out of making muffins. Pour the batter directly into a bread pan, and – poof- you’ve got yourself some muffin bread.
Not all muffin breads are created equal. You want to ensure that the batter is slightly thicker than regular muffin batter since there’s more opportunity (and further distance) for add-ins like chocolate chips to sink to the bottom. Some sinkage is inevitable, but if the batter is thick enough, you should end up with a more or less even distribution of chocolate chips throughout each slice.
Oh, and if you’ve ever wanted a behind-the-scenes look at how I photograph my food, this is a little sneak peek of what’s actually going on in the background:
Because muffin bread is a “quick bread,” there is no rise time involved. Similar to banana bread or beer bread, muffin bread starts as a very thick batter and ends up as a thick, chewy bread with a soft crust.
For a little bit of added crunch, I like to sprinkle demerara sugar on top of my muffin bread to imitate a crunchy crust while adding pops of sweetness.
Here’s What You Need
The basic ingredients to make a perfect muffin bread!
- Flour – All-purpose flour will do just fine.
- Sugar, Butter, Eggs – The base for most desserts.
- Baking Powder – For airiness and rise.
- Baking Soda – Boosts the rise higher (remember, no yeast is in this recipe!).
- Whole Milk – The added fat in whole milk helps create a thicker batter.
- Vanilla – For extra flavor.
- Chocolate Chips – Semi-sweet are the most commonly used.
- Demerara Sugar – Can be found near the brown sugar and/or specialty sugars; adds some crunch to the crust.
Let’s Cook
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Grab a glass bread loaf pan and give it a good greasing with either butter or cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. These dry ingredients set the stage for a perfect loaf, and we want them all well-combined before adding the wet stuff.
Add the Wet Ingredients
Now, let’s mix in the wet ingredients, one by one. First, pour in the melted butter. Stir it in well before cracking in the eggs. Make sure your eggs are at room temperature to avoid any curdling.
Next up is the whole milk and vanilla. Keep stirring between each addition until you’ve got a thick, smooth batter. We’re aiming for a consistency that doesn’t allow the chocolate chips to go rogue and sink to the bottom.
Mix in the Chocolate Chips
Speaking of chocolate chips, it’s time to fold in half of them. Get them nice and cozy in the batter, but save the other half for later.
Fill the Pan and Bake
Pour the batter into your prepped loaf pan. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top and give them a gentle swirl with a knife or toothpick. This little trick helps keep them distributed nicely on top.
Then, sprinkle about half of the demerara sugar over the top. This adds that delightful crunch once baked.
Baking Time
Pop that pan into your preheated oven and let it bake for 45 minutes. Sprinkle the rest of the demerara sugar on top, then continue baking for another 15-20 minutes. Keep an eye on it after 60 minutes, checking every five minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Cooling and Serving
Once baked, let the bread cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes. This helps it set and makes it easier to remove from the pan. Afterward, flip it out onto a cooling rack for another 30 minutes. It’s essential to let it cool to room temperature for perfect slicing.
Cover your muffin bread and keep it at room temperature for up to two days, or cover and chill it for up to a week.
Tips for Perfect Muffin Bread
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Bringing eggs and milk to room temperature before mixing helps the batter combine more smoothly. This reduces the chance of lumps and ensures an even texture throughout the bread.
- Greasing the Pan: Be generous when greasing your loaf pan with butter or cooking spray. This prevents the bread from sticking and makes it easier to remove without breaking.
- Check for Doneness: Every oven is a little different, so checking for doneness using a toothpick is crucial. If it comes out clean, your bread is ready. If not, give it a few more minutes and check again.
- Storage: For longer storage, wrap your muffin bread tightly in plastic wrap and then place it in an airtight container. This keeps it fresh and prevents it from drying out.
Common Questions
- Can I use a different type of milk?
- Absolutely! While I haven’t personally tested this, you can try substituting whole milk with any milk you prefer, such as almond, soy, or oat milk, but the batter’s thickness may vary slightly so you may need to add a bit less or a bit more to get the right muffin bread batter consistency.
- What if I don’t have demerara sugar?
- No worries! You can use regular granulated sugar or brown sugar for the topping. Just know that the texture and crunch will be a bit different.
- Can I add nuts or other mix-ins?
- Yes, feel free to add your favorite mix-ins like nuts or dried fruit. Just make sure the total amount of add-ins doesn’t exceed 1 ½ cups to avoid overcrowding the batter.
- How do I know if my muffin bread is done?
- Insert a toothpick into the center. If it comes out clean, it’s done. If there’s batter sticking to it, give it more time, checking every five minutes.
So there you have it, Hungry People – muffin bread! It’s the lazy way to enjoy your favorite muffin flavors in a loaf that’s easy to make and even easier to eat. You get all the deliciousness of chocolate chip muffins without the fuss of individual cups. Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or whenever you’re craving a sweet slice. Plus, with no muffin tins to clean, your kitchen stays tidy! Try out different add-ins or stick to the classic chocolate chip – either way, you’re in for a treat.
One Bowl Chocolate Chip Muffin Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 8 tablespoons butter melted
- 3 eggs room temperature
- 1 cup whole milk room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 11.5 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 3 tablespoons demerara sugar for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a glass bread loaf pan with butter or cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- Stir in each of the wet ingredients one at a time, stirring between the addition of each new ingredient until a thick batter forms. Stir in half of the chocolate chips.
- Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top and use a knife or toothpick to swirl them into the top of the bread (some chips will sink). Sprinkle on about half of the demerara sugar.
- Bake at 350°F for 45 minutes. Sprinkle on the remaining demerara sugar, then continue baking for another 15-20 minutes. Check every five minutes after 60 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.
- Cool the bread in the pan for at least 30 minutes before flipping it out onto a cooling rack for another 30 minutes. Cool to room temperature for optimal slicing. Cover and keep at room temperature for up to two days; or cover and chill for up to a week. Enjoy!