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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.