• Baking the perfect chocolate chip muffin is straightforward. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

• Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This preheating ensures the muffins bake evenly.

Step 2: Prepare the Muffin Tin

• Grease a muffin tin or line it with paper liners. This makes both removal and clean-up much easier.

Step 3: Mix the Wet Ingredients

• In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This process incorporates air, which leads to a lighter muffin. Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring they are fully combined. Add in vanilla extract and milk, mixing until smooth.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This step guarantees an even distribution of the leavening agent and spices.

Step 5: Combine Both Mixtures

• Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Stir gently. You should stop mixing when the flour is just incorporated. Overmixing can lead to tough muffins.

Step 6: Fold in the Chocolate Chips

• Gently fold in the chocolate chips with a spatula. Ensure they are distributed evenly throughout the batter.

Step 7: Fill the Muffin Tin

• Divide the batter among the muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full. Sprinkle coarse sparkling sugar on top for a bit of a crunch.

Step 8: Bake

• Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. The muffins are ready when a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Step 9: Cool Down

• Once baked, allow the muffins to cool in the tin for a few minutes before moving them to a wire rack. This helps them maintain a soft texture.