Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe
Introduction
Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins are a delightful treat combining zesty citrus with rich chocolate in every bite. Perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack, these muffins are easy to make and sure to please both kids and adults.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (from about 1 large orange)
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a muffin tin by lining it with paper liners or greasing it lightly.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the flour and orange zest. Stir in the chocolate chips to distribute evenly.
- Step 3: Prepare your muffin batter according to your preferred recipe or mix (this recipe assumes you will add wet ingredients such as eggs, milk, sugar, and baking powder in your chosen way).
- Step 4: Spoon the batter into the muffin tin, filling each cup about two-thirds full.
- Step 5: Bake for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Step 6: Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips & Variations
- For extra citrus flavor, add a teaspoon of orange extract or a splash of fresh orange juice to the wet ingredients.
- Try swapping semi-sweet chocolate chips for white chocolate chips for a different twist.
- Add a tablespoon of poppy seeds for texture and a subtle nutty flavor.
Storage
Store these muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the muffins in a sealed bag for up to 2 months. To reheat, warm in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a low oven until heated through.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use orange juice instead of zest?
Orange zest provides concentrated flavor without adding liquid, so using zest is preferred. However, you can add orange juice to the wet ingredients for extra citrus taste but reduce other liquids slightly to keep the right batter consistency.
What type of chocolate chips work best?
Semi-sweet chocolate chips are a great balance to the orange zest’s brightness, but you can use dark or milk chocolate chips depending on your preference.
PrintOrange Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe
Delight in a sweet and tangy treat with these Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins, featuring fragrant orange zest and rich chocolate chips baked to perfection in a fluffy, moist muffin base.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Category: Breakfast / Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Flavor & Add-ins
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest (about 1 medium orange)
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it lightly to prevent sticking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly mixed.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk granulated sugar with eggs until smooth. Stir in melted butter, milk, vanilla extract, and the fresh orange zest to infuse the batter with citrus aroma.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold them together until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep muffins light. The batter should be a bit lumpy.
- Add Chocolate Chips: Fold in the chocolate chips evenly throughout the batter for bursts of chocolate in each bite.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about 3/4 full to allow space for rising.
- Bake Muffins: Bake in the preheated oven for 18–22 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of a muffin; it should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs attached.
- Cool and Serve: Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- For extra orange flavor, add a tablespoon of fresh orange juice to the wet ingredients.
- Use dark or milk chocolate chips for variation in sweetness.
- Ensure not to overmix the batter; overmixing can lead to tough muffins.
- Store muffins in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.
- These muffins can be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw at room temperature before serving.
Keywords: orange chocolate chip muffins, orange zest muffins, chocolate chip breakfast muffin, baked muffins, citrus muffins
