Mocha Muffins

• instant coffee↗2 teaspoons
• hot tap water↗1 tablespoon
• egg↗1
• canola oil↗1⁄4 cup
• milk↗1 cup
• vanilla extract↗1 teaspoon
• all-purpose flour↗1 1⁄2 cups
• white sugar↗1⁄2 cup
• cocoa↗2 tablespoons
• baking powder↗1 teaspoon
• baking soda↗1⁄2 teaspoon
• salt↗1⁄4 teaspoon
• chopped almonds1⁄2 cup

  optional

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400F; in a 12-cup muffin pan, place paper liners in 10 cups and set aside.

2. 2

   In a small bowl, dissolve instant coffee in hot water.

3. 3

   In a large bowl, crack egg and whisk; stir in oil, milk, vanilla, and coffee mixture; combine well.

4. 4

   In an another small bowl, combine dry ingredients.

5. 5

   Gently fold dry ingredients into coffee mixture, just until mixed; do not overbeat.

6. 6

   Spoon batter into the 10 paper liners and decorate the top of each muffin with a few chopped almonds, if desired.

7. 7

   In the two unused muffin pans, place some water so they won't burn.

8. 8

   Place in preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes.

9. 9

   Remove from pan and cool on rack.