St. Nicholas Chocolate Muffins - A Sweet Way to Use Up Holiday Chocolate
The scent of cinnamon, twinkling fairy lights, and the cozy glow of candles, oh, how I adore this season! Christmas has completely taken over my home and heart by now. I start decorating in November until my living room looks like a full-blown Christmas market.🎄 And since I can never resist finding ways to make every part of December more magical, today's recipe is all about what to do with those leftover St. Nicholas chocolate figures that seem to multiply every year. We're turning them into soft, easy muffins that taste like Christmas in every bite!
Have a few St. Nicholate Chocolate Figures staring at you from the counter and no idea what to do with them?
If you're not in the mood for muffins, you can always chop your leftover chocolate into small pieces and use them as chocolate chips in my Chocolate Chip Vanilla Ice Cream. That's exactly what I did after Easter with leftover chocolate bunnies, and it worked beautifully. Either way, nothing goes to waste!
And if you're already in full festive mode like I am, take a peek at my Christmas recipe collection for even more cozy ideas. You'll find everything from cookies to creamy cocktails that make this season shine. These muffins pair perfectly with a sparkling Cranberry Gin Fizz or a nostalgic Snowball Cocktail.
So grab your mixing bowl, put on your favorite Christmas playlist, and let's bake something merry together!
About the St. Nicholas Tradition
St. Nicholas Day, celebrated on December 6th, honors St. Nicholas of Myra, a 4th-century bishop known for his generosity, kindness, and secret gift-giving. In many European countries, he's the beloved bringer of small presents and sweets to well-behaved children, who leave out their shoes or boots the night before in hopes of finding them filled by morning. The tradition celebrates the spirit of giving and compassion that inspired the modern figure of Santa Claus, reminding us that Christmas cheer begins with simple acts of kindness.
🥘 Ingredients
- St. Nicholas chocolate figures
- Use up your leftover St. Nicholas chocolate figures by chopping them into small pieces. They melt slightly into the batter, creating gooey chocolate pockets throughout the muffins. You can even sprinkle a few pieces on top before baking for extra chocolatey goodness. Milk or dark chocolate both work well here.
- Flour
- Regular all-purpose flour gives these muffins their soft, fluffy texture.
- Sugars
- A mix of granulated and brown sugar adds both sweetness and a touch of caramel flavor. The brown sugar also keeps the muffins extra moist and soft.
- Baking powder and baking soda
- Salt
- Oil or melted butter
- Eggs
- Make sure they're at room temperature for even mixing.
- Vanilla extract
- Milk or buttermilk
- Cinnamon (optional)
See the recipe card for quantities.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it lightly. While the oven warms up, take a moment to breathe in that cozy Christmas feeling-the best bakes always start with a happy heart!
Step 2: Prepare the dry ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon (if using). The cinnamon adds that extra festive sparkle that makes the kitchen smell like Christmas morning.
Step 3: Mix the wet ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil (or melted butter), eggs, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth and creamy. This is where the magic begins-your wet ingredients are the secret to that soft, tender crumb.
Step 4: Combine everything
Pour the wet ingredients into the dry mixture and gently stir until just combined. Don't overmix-your muffins will be lighter and fluffier if the batter stays a little lumpy.
Step 5: Add the chocolate
Fold in your chopped St. Nicholas chocolate figure pieces, saving a few for the top if you'd like. Each bite will have a surprise of melted chocolate and Christmas joy!
Step 6: Fill the muffin tin
Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups. A big cookie scoop makes this so much easier-check out my cookie scoop guide if you haven't yet! Fill each cup about two-thirds full, then, if you fancy, sprinkle the reserved chocolate pieces on top for an irresistibly gooey finish.
Step 7: Bake the muffins
Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Don't worry if you hit melted chocolate-that's the best part!
Step 8: Cool and enjoy
Let the muffins cool in the tin for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. Enjoy them warm while the chocolate is still melty, paired with a steaming cup of coffee or a festive cocktail. Because honestly, few things feel more like Christmas than freshly baked chocolate muffins and a cozy moment to yourself.
🌡️ Storage
Store your muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They'll stay soft and moist, especially if you made them with oil. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 2 months - just let them cool completely first, then wrap each muffin in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. Warm them in the oven or microwave before serving for that freshly baked magic.
🍽 Equipment
- 12-cup muffin tin
- Paper muffin liners or baking spray
- Two mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Cookie scoop
A total game changer for perfectly portioned muffins! If you don't have one yet, take a look at my cookie scoop guide for tips on choosing the right size. - Cooling rack
- Chopping board and sharp knife
💭 Top tips
- What chocolate works best
- You can use almost any solid chocolate for this recipe - milk, dark, or even a mix! Milk chocolate gives a sweeter, nostalgic flavor, while dark chocolate makes the muffins taste richer and a little more grown-up. Whatever you choose, make sure the chocolate is unfilled. Avoid chocolates with creamy or liquid centers (like praline or nougat), as those can melt unevenly and affect the texture.
- Other leftover chocolates
- No St. Nicholas figures? No problem! You can use any leftover Christmas chocolate - hollow Santas, chocolate ornaments, or even those small foil-wrapped figures. Just chop them into small pieces so they melt beautifully into the batter.
- Make it festive
- Sprinkle a few extra chocolate chunks on top before baking, dust with powdered sugar once cooled, or tie them up in a pretty bag with ribbon for a sweet St. Nicholas gift. Because sharing homemade treats is what this season's all about!
🎄Pairing
If you ask me, no cozy baking day is complete without a festive drink in hand! These chocolate-filled St. Nicholas muffins pair wonderfully with a few of my favorite Christmas cocktails - each one bringing its own kind of holiday magic to the table.
Try them with a sparkling Cranberry Gin Fizz - light, fruity, and perfectly festive for December afternoons. Or go for a Cranberry Sour if you love something a little tangy to balance the sweetness of the muffins.
For chocolate lovers (and I know you're one of us), the Chocolate Martini is pure indulgence. Think of it as a grown-up dessert in a glass - it complements these muffins like mistletoe and mulled wine!
And if you're in the mood for something truly classic and cozy, you can't go wrong with a steaming mug of Glühwein (Mulled Wine). The warm spices, orange notes, and hint of red wine make every bite of muffin taste even more Christmassy.
Looking for a non-alcoholic alternative? My Spiced Apple Cider is full of festive flavor and pairs beautifully with the rich chocolate notes of these muffins.
Whichever you choose, light a candle, put on your favorite Christmas playlist, and let yourself sink into that joyful December feeling - you deserve it.
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📖 Recipe
St. Nicholas Chocolate Muffins
Equipment
- 12-cup muffin tin
- Paper liners or baking spray
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Chopping board and knife
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon optional, for a festive touch
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup milk or buttermilk
Add-ins (optional)
- 11 oz St. Nicholas chocolate figures
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it lightly.
- In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon cinnamon (if using).2 cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the ½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and ¾ cup milk or buttermilk until smooth.½ cup vegetable oil or melted butter, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ¾ cup milk or buttermilk
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. A few small lumps are fine!
- Fold in 11 oz St. Nicholas chocolate figures, saving a few for topping if you like.11 oz St. Nicholas chocolate figures
- Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, about two-thirds full. A cookie scoop makes this easy and mess-free! Sprinkle the reserved chocolate on top.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (ignore melted chocolate streaks).
- Let the muffins cool in the tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Enjoy warm while the chocolate is still melty, or let them cool completely before storing.
Notes
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
⛑️ Food Safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
For further information, check Safe Food Handling - FDA.
Liz says
These are such a tasty treat to leave out for St. Nick. Thankfully, there were enough for the family to all enjoy, too!
Brittany F. says
We always end up with so many of these chocolate bars around the holidays. This recipe is such a great use of the extra chocolate and is so delicious. Great treat for everyone!
Freya says
My friends and fellow dessert lovers were totally into it, and there were zero leftovers, which says a lot.
Maxine says
These muffins are so so delicious!
Nora says
Thank you so much, Maxine!
Calley says
This recipe is so delicious! I love these muffins.
Nora says
Thank you, Calley!