Chocolate and orange is a classic combination that balances the rich sweetness of chocolate with the bright, citrusy zing of orange. Here’s a recipe for muffins that beautifully blend these flavors:
Chocolate Orange Muffins
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk (whole milk or 2% works best)
- 1/2 cup orange juice (freshly squeezed is best)
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (semi-sweet or dark)
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (optional, such as walnuts or pecans)
Instructions:
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Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease the cups well.
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Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
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Prepare the Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together the melted butter, eggs, milk, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract until smooth and well combined.
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Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently fold the mixture together with a spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; the batter should be slightly lumpy. Fold in the chocolate chips (and nuts, if using).
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Fill the Muffin Tin: Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
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Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
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Cool and Serve: Let the muffins cool in the tin for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Tips:
- Orange Zest: For an extra burst of orange flavor, make sure to use fresh orange zest. It adds a fragrant and tangy note that complements the chocolate beautifully.
- Chocolate Options: You can use either chocolate chips or chopped chocolate. Dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate works well in this recipe.
- Drizzle or Glaze: For an extra touch, consider drizzling a simple orange glaze (mix powdered sugar with a bit of orange juice) over the muffins once they’ve cooled.
These chocolate orange muffins are perfect for breakfast, a sweet snack, or a delightful dessert. Enjoy the vibrant flavors!
