Zucchini Chocolate Chip Muffins

Steps

1. Position rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line 12 muffin tin cups with paper liners. Spray the paper liners with nonstick spray. Alternately, you can bake the muffins without liners.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, cinnamon, baking soda, baking powder and salt together. Set aside.

3. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar to blend them smoothly. Whisk in the oil and vanilla until blended. Use a large spoon to stir in the flour mixture just until incorporated. Stir in the zucchini, then stir in chocolate chips and walnuts (if using) until evenly distributed.

4. Pour about 1/3 cup of the batter into each paper liner. Bake until the tops are light brown and a toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean, about 23 minutes. If the toothpick penetrates a chocolate chip, test another spot.

5. Cool muffins in pan on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Using pot holders to protect your hands, invert the muffin pan onto a wire rack and tap the bottom to release the muffins. Turn the muffins right side up to cool for about 15 minutes and serve warm, or let cool completely.