Amish Friendship Chocolate Muffins

I have recently been luck enough to receive a few starters for Amish Frienship bread {which I LOVE}. So, I can't wait to try making these chocolate muffins with one of my starters! {recipe & pic from} pennies on a platter

Amish Friendship Chocolate Muffins

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup white sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1 (3.9 oz) package instant chocolate pudding mix

1 cup Amish Friendship Bread Starter (sourdough starter)

1 cup vegetable oil (or 1/2 cup oil, 1/2 cup applesauce as I did)

1/2 cup milk

3 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

mini semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Preheat oven to 350˚F. Line cupcake pans with liners.
In a large mixing bowl, stir together all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cocoa powder, and chocolate pudding mix. Make a well and add the Amish Friendship Bread Starter, oil (and applesauce, if using), milk, eggs and vanilla extract; mix well. Stir in about 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Pour batter into prepared pans. Sprinkle chocolate chips on top of each cupcake.
Bake for about 25 minutes or until it passes the toothpick test. Allow to cool on rack