Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins Recipe

In the depths of winter you really need something to cheer you up, and these muffins are just the treat.

Served warm, the orange gives you that spark of sunshine and the chocolate gives a hint of indulgence.

Just the thing if you are feeling a little blue.

Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins

Serves: 12-24

Ingredients:

100g butter, softened
150g sugar
2 eggs
finely-grated zest of 2 oranges
120ml strained orange juice
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
250g plain flour
100g good quality dark chocolate chips (at least 60% cocoa solids)
120ml sour cream

Method:

Cream together the butter and sugar in a bowl until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating thoroughly to combine after each addition.

In a separate bowl, mix together the orange zest, flour, baking soda and baking powder. Add this to the creamed mixture alternately with the sour cream.

When all these ingredients have been combined stir in the orange just and the chocolate chips.

The batter can be used to spoon either into 12 muffin cup wells or 24 mini muffin wells. The wells should be greased or lined beforehand and they should be filled no more than half full.

Transfer to an oven pre-heated to 170°C and bake for about 12 minutes for mini muffins and 18 minutes for large muffins. When done the tops will be golden and a skewer inserted into the centre should emerge cleanly.

Allow to cool in the muffin tins for 10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool further.

Serve warm.