On Friday evening, me, the husband and 2 friends packed up our car and headed off towards Portland, OR. We found a fabulous flat on Airbnb and rented commuter bikes from a guy who also has goats in his yard. Our trip pretty much consisted of good beer, good food, a cheap movie (I finally saw The Hunger Games), and bike riding around the city. Portland by bike was the most perfect thing ever. We visited Salt & Straw twice for their delicious ice cream (there was a heat wave after all). Ate amazing meals at Pok Pok and Toro Bravo. Sampled delicious sour Belgium beers at Cascade Brewing. And me and Cornelius kicked some serious butt playing darts at the always casual and fun Lucky Lab which helped make up for my lousy card game on the Hedge House patio.
With all of those good times shoved into a short amount of time, it’s hard getting back into the swing of things. Luckily, there’s this awesome music video I found on YouTube where you can spot all of my summer dance moves from here on out.
And there are these muffins.
I’m hesitant to call them muffins since they are more than little cakes packed with chocolate and cherries. There’s nothing really healthy to see here, but they are delicious. And yes, we did eat them for breakfast. And for dessert. And as an afternoon snack.
The original recipe called for raspberries which I didn’t have on hand, so I subbed in some cherries. Brilliant move. I also reduced the sugar and I still found these plenty sweet. I think you could reduce the sugar by half again and still be left with a delicious chocolate treat.
elsewhere: Head over to Poppytalk where I use up a sudden mint bonanza and make a lovely dinner with quinoa, chard, red lentils & pistachios!
double chocolate cherry muffins
(recipe adapted from Kitchen Simplicity)
1 1/4 c all-purpose flour
1/2 c white sugar
1/4 c cocoa powder
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/3 c canola oil
1 egg
1/3 c milk
1 t vanilla
1/2 c plain yogurt
1 c cherries, cut in half (I used frozen sour cherries, but sweet cherries would be great too)
1/2 c chocolate chipsPreheat oven to 400F. Lightly oil a 12 cup muffin tin.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. In a small bowl, mix the oil, egg, milk and vanilla together. Pour the wet into the dry and use a wooden spoon or spatula to gently stir everything together. Fold in the yogurt, cherries and chocolate chips. Spoon batter into prepared muffin tin and bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the muffin comes clean. Let sit in the tin for 5 minutes and then use a knife to loosen the muffins, remove from tin and let cool on a wire rack. Makes 12 muffins.
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oh my gosh that youtube video.
couldn’t stop watching it!
LOLOL!!!
haha!! I just got sent that music video the other day, and it is awesome! Some great moves indeed…
and those muffins look to die for!
I see you discovered the Korean “Gangnam Style” music video ( or “open condom style” as some like to say) LOL! It’s addictive and hilarious, right!!?
I’m so jealous of your trip to Portland, OR. It sounds like so much fun! I haven’t been anywhere this summer aside from a long weekend in Ottawa 🙁
Those cherry chocolate mini cakes look incredibly good! It’s no longer cherry season but I know I might be able to get some imported ones…shhh!
Chocolate Cherry ANYTHING is just fine with us! Still cherry season in the Northwest US for a while longer, I will try it.
I know, so funny isn’t it, vsb?!
Danielle, hooray for new dance moves & muffins.
Joanne, our trip was pretty awesome and epic – we were able to pack a ton of stuff into just a few days! Hopefully you’ve been enjoying summer in TO regardless!! It’s still cherry season here though it’s probably winding down now. You can make these with frozen cherries too.
Piper, we’ve got a late start here in the PNW and I’m okay with that! Give the muffins a try – they’re delicious.
What a lovely little road trip! And what lovely little muffins – love the chocolate/cherry combo!
Ah, relaxing good times! You and Cornelius should consider dart champ custom t-shirts 🙂 That music video! Wow. And these muffins? Double wow. Chocolate and cherries just go together!
Isn’t Portland great? I LOVE it. We also had Salt & Straw the last time we were there–so good!
Your muffins look delicious. Chocolate and cherries are such a great combination.
Thanks Amanda, the muffins and the road trip was fantastic!
Good idea, Nicole 🙂
Eileen, I’m already dreaming of the next time I can get away for another salt & straw flavour!
Thanks WOD!
These look amazing! Must try it. I bet the chocolate/cherry combination is divine!
These look amazing! Must try it. I bet the chocolate/cherry combination is divine!
These look amazing! Must try it. I bet the chocolate/cherry combination is divine!
These look amazing! Must try it. I bet the chocolate/cherry combination is divine!
These look amazing! Must try it. I bet the chocolate/cherry combination is divine!
These look amazing! Must try it. I bet the chocolate/cherry combination is divine!
These look amazing! Must try it. I bet the chocolate/cherry combination is divine!
These look amazing! Must try it. I bet the chocolate/cherry combination is divine!
These look amazing! Must try it. I bet the chocolate/cherry combination is divine!
These look amazing! Must try it. I bet the chocolate/cherry combination is divine!
These look amazing! Must try it. I bet the chocolate/cherry combination is divine!
These look amazing! Must try it. I bet the chocolate/cherry combination is divine!
Sounds like a fun weekend in Portland! I’ve always wanted to go…from what I hear it’s a great city! These muffins sound like the perfect indulgent treat to me!
Mmmm, chocolate and cherries! These look so good. I haven’t seen cherries here for a while, so I’m filing this one away. Or, I might try to make it with raspberries while they’re still around.
I also added the restaurants to my list of things to eat in Portland. I can’t believe I haven’t been to Pok Pok yet!
Ine, it totally is. Enjoy!
Joanne, it’s one of my favorite cities 🙂 And I’m sure you’d like the muffins too!
Brie, make it with raspberries – it will be delicious!! Pok Pok is amazing (get the chicken wings & a drinking vinegar!!!)