KIDS CAN MAKE: HEALTHY SECRET STRAWBERRY CHOCOLATE-CHIP MUFFINS

Kids Can Make: Healthy Secret Strawberry Chocolate-Chip Muffins image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 1h10m

Yield 12 muffins

Number Of Ingredients 12

Cooking spray
2 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup 2-percent milk
2/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup melted virgin or extra-virgin coconut oil
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
12 small strawberries, hulls removed and trimmed as needed

Steps:

Position an oven rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners, and spray the liners lightly with cooking spray.
Whisk together the flour, 1/3 cup of the chocolate chips, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. Whisk together the milk, sugar, oil, eggs, vanilla and orange zest in a medium bowl until no sugar clumps remain. Fold the milk mixture into the flour mixture until just combined. (Don't worry if there are a few lumps.)
Spoon a heaping tablespoon of batter into each muffin cup liner. Stand a strawberry in each, point-side down. Evenly divide the remaining batter among the liners. Smooth the batter around and on top of each strawberry with a spoon. (It's OK if a little bit of strawberry pokes out.) Sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips over the tops.
Bake until the muffins are golden and spring back when pressed in the center, 22 to 25 minutes. Let cool in the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days.