Chocolate Surprise Muffins

You can make these muffins with or without the surprise.

Ingredients;
for 12 medium muffins
1 3/4 c plain flour
2 t baking powder
1/4 c cocoa
1/2 c sugar
1/2 c chocolate chips
75 g butter
2 large eggs
3/4 c milk
3/4 - 1 c raspberry jam
extra chocolate chips

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius (400 degrees Farenheit).
2. Spray muffin tins with oil or line with paper cups.
3. Sift flour, baking powder and cocoa into a large bowl. Add sugar and chocolate chips and mix thoroughly with a fork.
4. Heat butter gently until it is just liquid (low heat on stove or microwave briefly). Add eggs and milk and beat with fork until combined and smooth.
5. Pour liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients and fold together, mixing as little as possible.
6. Half fill muffin tins by spooning about 1 tablespoon of mixture into the tins.
7. Use a damp teaspoon to make a small hollow in each muffin and fill with about 1 teaspoon of jam.
8. Spoon the remaining mixture evenly into the muffin tins, making sure to completely cover the jam.
9. Sprinkle with extra chocolate chips.
10. Bake for 10 minutes or until the centre springs back when pressed.

Serving suggestions:
Serve warm, dusted with icing sugar if you like.
Good with coffee, or served with fresh berries and whipped cream or icecream!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe is best made with chocolate chopped up roughly. The mixture is very soft; chilling it slightly before shaping makes it easier to work with.

Ingredients:
250g butter
1/2 c sugar
3 T sweetened condensed milk
1 - 2 drops vanilla essence
2 1/4 c plain flour
2 t baking powder
250 g Energy chocolate, hand chopped into chunks, not too small

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 170 degrees celsius.
2. Beat together butter and sugar until creamy.
3. Beat in the condensed milk and vanilla essence.
4. Stir in dry ingredients and chopped chocolate.
5. Chill.
6. Roll into large walnut-sized balls.
7. Place on cold, greased oven trays, allowing some room to flatten.
8. Flatten with the palm of your hand.
9. Bake at 170 degrees celsius for 15 - 20 minutes until lightly golden.
10. Cool, then remove from trays and store in an airtight container.

Makes about 30 biscuits.