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Homemade Tim Hortons Chocolate Chip Muffins Copycat Recipe

As someone who has spent more than 20 years baking and exploring coffee shops, I’ve always loved recreating my favorite treats at home. One of them is the Tim Hortons Chocolate Chip Muffin—soft, fluffy, and filled with melty chocolate chips. I remember enjoying them on road trips across Canada, always with a hot coffee on cold mornings.

Over time, prices went up and the quality sometimes changed, so I decided to make a homemade copycat version. After testing many batches and adjusting the recipe, I finally nailed the tall muffin dome and rich chocolate flavor that makes the Tim Hortons muffin so popular.

This chocolate chip muffin recipe isn’t just a copy—it’s fresher, customizable, and in many ways better than the original. The guide is easy to follow and beginner-friendly, so you can bake bakery-style muffins at home without needing special equipment.

Whether you’re a long-time Tim Hortons fan craving a classic taste, or a home baker searching for a simple weekend project, this recipe gives you soft, chocolatey muffins every time.

What Makes Tim Hortons Chocolate Chip Muffins So Special?

Tim Hortons Chocolate Chip Muffins are one of the most popular baked goods in Canada. They’re soft, moist, and packed with mini chocolate chips that melt into every bite. The tall muffin tops with a slightly crispy edge make them look just like something from a real bakery.

Unlike heavy or dry muffins, Tim Hortons muffins stay light and fluffy while still tasting rich and sweet. The batter has the right amount of sweetness, balanced with semi-sweet chocolate chips that give bursts of flavor. At many Tim Hortons locations, the muffins are baked fresh daily (sometimes from frozen dough), which makes them an easy choice for breakfast or a quick snack.

The real charm is in their simplicity. Basic ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and chocolate chips come together with the right baking method to create that signature texture. This copycat recipe brings the same taste and feel to your own kitchen, without preservatives or artificial flavors. Plus, baking them at home gives you control—you can add more chocolate chips, adjust sweetness, or make sure every muffin bakes to golden perfection.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Copycat Tim Hortons Chocolate Chip Muffins

This recipe makes 12 bakery-style muffins that taste just like the ones from Tim Hortons. The ingredients are simple and easy to find, but using the right amounts makes all the difference. Measuring with a kitchen scale helps you get light and fluffy muffins every time. Stick with mini chocolate chips so they spread evenly without sinking, and use full-fat dairy for that soft, moist texture.

Ingredient List

  • 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar (or half white, half brown sugar for a caramel flavor)
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted (or replace half with oil for extra moisture)
  • 2 large eggs, at room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) buttermilk (or 1 cup milk mixed with 1 tbsp vinegar or lemon juice)
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups (250g) mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (plus a handful for topping)
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons coarse sugar for a crunchy muffin top

Why These Ingredients Work

Each ingredient plays an important role. The baking powder and baking soda make the muffins rise high and fluffy. The butter and dairy add moisture and richness. The mini chocolate chips give you that classic Tim Hortons taste in every bite. For the closest match, use semi-sweet chocolate chips—they balance the sweetness perfectly.

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Bake Tim Hortons-Style Chocolate Chip Muffins

Baking these copycat Tim Hortons muffins is easy. Prep takes about 10 minutes, and baking takes 20–25 minutes. The secret to tall, bakery-style domes is gentle mixing and a two-step baking method. Follow these steps for perfect muffins every time.

1. Preheat and Prepare

Set your oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin or line it with paper liners. For taller muffins, lightly grease the tops of the cups too. If you want extra height, bake 6 muffins per tray, leaving empty spaces between cups so heat circulates evenly.

2. Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together:

  • Flour
  • Baking powder
  • Baking soda
  • Salt

Then stir in 1 cup of mini chocolate chips to coat them in flour. This stops them from sinking while baking.

3. Combine the Wet Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk the melted butter (or butter-oil mix) with sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in buttermilk and vanilla extract until creamy and fragrant.

4. Bring Wet and Dry Ingredients Together

Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Fold gently with a spatula until just combined—small lumps are fine. Overmixing makes muffins tough. Let the batter rest for 15–20 minutes at room temperature. This helps the muffins rise better in the oven.

5. Fill and Top the Muffins

Scoop the batter into muffin cups, filling them to the top or slightly over for tall domes. Sprinkle extra chocolate chips and turbinado or coarse sugar on top for a bakery-style crunch.

6. Bake to Perfection

  • Bake at 425°F (220°C) for 5–8 minutes to give the muffins an initial rise.
  • Without opening the oven, lower the heat to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 12–18 more minutes.
  • Test doneness with a toothpick—it should come out clean or with a few melted chocolate crumbs.

Cool the muffins in the tin for 5–10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Your kitchen will smell like a Tim Hortons bakery! Expect golden, domed muffins with a soft, fluffy center and lightly crisp edges, just like the real thing.

Pro Tips for Bakery-Style Chocolate Chip Muffins Every Time

From my baking experiments, these tips help your homemade chocolate chip muffins come out like Tim Hortons bakery muffins every time.

1. For Tall, Bakery-Style Domes

Start with a high oven temperature—this gives the batter a quick lift for tall muffins. Let the batter rest 15–20 minutes before baking to activate the leaveners. When using a full tray, bake muffins in alternate cups for even heat and consistent rise.

2. Avoid Common Mistakes

Don’t overmix the batter—stop when flour streaks disappear. Use room-temperature eggs and dairy for smoother, creamier batter and better muffin texture.

3. Chocolate Chip Tricks

Use mini chocolate chips so they spread evenly. Coat them lightly in flour to keep them suspended in the batter. Sprinkle extra chips on top for a visually appealing finish.

4. Oven Adjustments

Check your oven with a thermometer—temperatures can vary. If muffins brown too fast, tent with foil to prevent over-browning while the inside cooks fully.

5. Make-Ahead and Storage

You can prep the batter the night before—refrigerate it and add 2–3 extra minutes to bake. Baked muffins freeze well up to 3 months; thaw and warm in the oven for fresh-tasting muffins anytime.

6. Scaling for Any Occasion

Double the recipe for a crowd or halve it for a smaller batch. The method works every time.

With these tips, your muffins will be forgiving, delicious, and just like the Tim Hortons Chocolate Chip Muffins you love.

Delicious Variations and Customizations for Your Muffins

You can keep your Tim Hortons-style chocolate chip muffins classic or try fun variations. This recipe is flexible for different tastes, diets, and occasions.

1. Mini Muffins

Use a 24-cup mini muffin tin and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10–12 minutes. These are perfect for kids, parties, or bite-sized snacks.

2. Dietary-Friendly Options

  • Vegan: Replace eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp flax + 3 tbsp water per egg), butter with oil, and buttermilk with almond milk + vinegar.
  • Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to keep texture soft and moist.

3. Flavor Boosts

  • Add nuts like walnuts or pecans for crunch.
  • Swap half the chocolate chips for white chocolate or peanut butter chips.
  • For a mocha twist, stir in 1 tbsp cocoa powder.

4. Healthier Options

  • Reduce sugar to ¾ cup.
  • Use whole wheat flour or add oats for extra fiber.
  • Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream to lower calories while keeping muffins moist.

5. Seasonal and Fun Spins

  • Pumpkin spice with chocolate for fall.
  • Blueberries and chocolate chips for a fruity-chocolate mix.

These simple changes make your muffins inclusive for all diets, occasions, and flavor preferences while keeping the soft, bakery-style texture you love.

Nutritional Information

Here’s the estimated nutrition for one homemade Tim Hortons-style chocolate chip muffin (based on 12 muffins using standard ingredients, calculated with USDA data):

  • Calories: 350–400
  • Carbohydrates: 45–55g (15–18% DV)
  • Protein: 5–7g
  • Fat: 15–20g (saturated 8–10g, 20–25% DV)
  • Sugar: 25–30g
  • Fiber: 2–3g (8–10% DV)
  • Other nutrients: Iron 10% DV, Calcium 8% DV

These numbers may vary depending on ingredient substitutions. Compared to Tim Hortons chocolate chip muffins (about 400 calories each), homemade muffins let you reduce sugar and fat.

Enjoy your muffins as a treat, but remember high sugar and fat content means moderation is important. For a lighter version, swap ingredients like butter for oil, use less sugar, or replace part of the flour with whole wheat—this can lower calories to 250–300 per muffin while keeping them soft and flavorful.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe

Here are answers to common questions from home bakers:

Can I use regular chocolate chips?
Yes, but mini chocolate chips melt better and spread evenly. If using larger chips, chop them into smaller pieces.

Why are my muffins flat?
Flat muffins usually mean the batter rested too little or the oven was too cool. Make sure the oven is fully preheated and start baking at a higher temperature for better rise.

Can I substitute buttermilk?
Yes! Mix 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice, let it sit 5 minutes, then use as a buttermilk replacement.

How should I store the muffins?
Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for 3–5 days. Refrigerate up to 1 week, or freeze tightly wrapped for up to 3 months.

Can I make them dairy-free?
Absolutely. Use plant-based milk and oil instead of butter or cream—they still taste great and stay soft.

Is this exactly like Tim Hortons?
It’s very close, especially in texture and flavor, but fresher because it doesn’t have preservatives.

Baking is all about practice and tweaks—if something doesn’t turn out perfect, adjust ingredients, oven temp, or timing, and try again!

Final Thoughts: Why This Copycat Chocolate Chip Muffin Recipe Will Be Your Go-To

Baking Tim Hortons Chocolate Chip Muffins at home isn’t just a recipe—it’s a way to enjoy soft, chocolatey muffins anytime without visiting the store. With fluffy centers, melty chocolate chips, and tall domes, these muffins are perfect for breakfast, snacks, or gifting.

I’ve refined this recipe over years, making it simple, budget-friendly, and easy to customize. You can adjust sweetness, add mix-ins, or make them dairy-free while keeping the bakery-style texture.

Try baking a batch and you’ll see why these homemade muffins are a baking staple. Pair them with a Tim Hortons-style coffee for the full experience. Enjoy, and don’t forget to share your baking results!

Mark Taylor
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I’m not affiliated with Tim Hortons or any of its official partners. This website is based on my personal experiences, visits, and research across various Tim Hortons locations in Canada. All the information shared here is for general reference and is meant to help fellow coffee and donut lovers make the most of their next visit. Thanks for reading—and enjoy your Tim's run!

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