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5-Ingredient Derby Pie Muffins Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 110 reviews
  • Author: Harper
  • Total Time: 25-30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 muffins 1x

Description

These 5-Ingredient Derby Pie Muffins are a quick and easy twist on the classic Kentucky Derby Pie, capturing the rich, gooey chocolate-pecan flavor without the hassle of making pie crust. Ready in under 35 minutes with simple pantry ingredients, these muffins offer a decadent, fudgy texture perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups pecans, chopped into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet dark chocolate chips

Wet Ingredients

  • 12 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Prepare and Preheat: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and thoroughly grease a 12-cup muffin pan with butter or nonstick spray to ensure easy muffin removal. This step ensures the oven reaches the right temperature while you prepare ingredients.
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the packed light brown sugar, all-purpose flour, and salt until well mixed and brown sugar lumps are broken up. Fold in chopped pecans and chocolate chips, lightly coating them with the dry mixture for even distribution.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the melted, cooled butter, room-temperature eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and cohesive. Using room-temperature eggs helps emulsify the batter better, resulting in a tender crumb.
  4. Combine and Fill Muffin Cups: Gently fold the wet mixture into the dry ingredients with a spatula until just combined; the batter should remain slightly lumpy to avoid toughness. Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full to allow rise without overflow.
  5. Bake Until Golden: Bake the muffins for 15-17 minutes, or until the tops turn light golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs, indicative of their signature fudgy texture. Avoid overbaking to keep the centers tender and gooey.
  6. Cool and Release: Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes to set. Run a thin knife around each muffin to loosen, then carefully remove and transfer to a wire rack. Serve slightly warm for the best balance of soft chocolate and toasted pecans.

Notes

  • Do not overmix the batter to keep muffins tender; slight lumps are okay.
  • Pull muffins from the oven when centers appear slightly underdone to maintain gooey texture.
  • Grease the muffin pan well or use paper liners to prevent sticking.
  • Let muffins cool briefly before removing from the pan to avoid breaking.
  • Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate up to 1 week.
  • Freeze individually wrapped muffins for up to 3 months; thaw before serving.
  • Substitute walnuts for pecans if desired, or mix pecans with extra chocolate chips for sweeter flavor.
  • Brown sugar can be replaced with white sugar plus molasses for similar taste if needed.
  • Do not substitute flour or eggs, as they are essential for texture and binding.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15-17 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Derby Pie Muffins, Chocolate Pecan Muffins, Quick Muffins, Kentucky Derby Pie, Easy Dessert, Gooey Muffins

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Find it online: https://harperellington.com/5-ingredient-derby-pie-muffins-recipe/