Orange Ricotta Chocolate Chip Muffins

If you like the flavour combination of orange and chocolate, these muffins are for you.  These muffins use ricotta cheese which makes them wonderfully moist.  Breakfast, lunch, snack or anytime, these treats will hit the spot.

For the Muffins

2 cups flour (all-purpose, whole wheat or quinoa

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup cane or granulated sugar

Zest of 1 orange

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup ricotta cheese

1 lg egg

1 Tbsp fresh orange juice

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350F.

Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.  In a small bowl, add the sugar and orange zest. Rub the orange zest and sugar together with your fingers.

Using an electric mixer, mix butter with orange-zest sugar until light and fluffy, approx. two minutes. Add ricotta cheese and beat until smooth. Beat in the egg, orange juice, and vanilla extract.

Add dry ingredients and mix until just blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Using an ice cream scoop or large spoon, divide the batter evenly between a prepared muffin tin. 

Bake muffins for 18-20 minutes or until the tops are lightly golden. While muffins are cooking prepare glaze.

Once muffins are done transfer to a cooling rack with a sheet of waxed paper underneath.  Once muffins have cooled completely (don’t rush this and make sure the muffins are room temp or the glaze will just dribble off).  Drizzle glaze over muffins and let sit until the glaze sets.  

For the glaze:

1 cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon orange zest

2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, orange zest, and orange juice.