Orange Chocolate Muffin

 

The other day I had a friend and her three piXies over for tea. My girls adore hers, so it was such a fun afternoon. It is amazing to watch seven females all talk at once, all afternoon and all understand everything that was said. I made a Orange Chocolate Loaf cake. This is actually muffin recipe, but after I had filled all the muffin tins (for the freezer) I still had batter left. So I filled up a loaf pan and froze it. I just baked it off frozen (uncovered). It took a little longer, but it worked out just fine. It must have been good, there was not a crumb left ;-) xoxox

Orange Chocolate Muffin
2 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour (or a combo of flours. I used a 1/2 cup of brown rice, oat and whole wheat, 1 cup white)
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice, 2-3 oranges
orange zest from the oranges you used.
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup of melted butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease 12 muffin cups or line with paper baking cups (if you can get those silicone muffin tins, in a metal rack they are amazing. But you let the muffin full cool before pulling them out) . Zest and juice 2 or 3 medium oranges, measure out juice and zest; set aside.


In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Make a well in the center and add  beaten eggs, buttermilk, orange juice/zest, oil, melted butter, sugar, and vanilla. Whisk together well. Stir in wet ingredients just until all the flour has been incorporated. Add chocolate.


Fill each muffin cup almost to the top. Put the muffins in a preheated 350 degree oven and bake for 30 minutes or until center is cooked. Do no over bake. Check to see if they are done by inserting a toothpick into the center of a muffin. If the toothpick comes out clean, they are done.

Comments

[Kim]

Oh my gosh, this sounds delicious!

[Jean Tuthill]

It sounds like you had a great afternoon with your visitors. The recipe sounds really good. I love the red cup, it's so bright!

[Lena]

This recipe sounds really good Clarice. Thank you!

I love those two pretty teacups. They look so nice together, and perfect for a holiday cup of tea with a friend.

I'm glad that you all enjoyed such a lovely visit together. It must have been great fun with all those girls around!

[Mama Bear]

This sounds great! I'm wondering if I could use bread flours? Never heard of pastry flour.
Thanks,
Mama Bear

[Lynn]

Oh, I do love that red tea cup! :) The recipe sounds delicious. I will certainly try it soon.

Lynn

[SueLovesCherries]

I love that red teacup so much, I went on eBay and found a red one just right for me! I have a vintage red & white kitchen - thanks for the inspiration!

- Sue

[cherry]

Lovely way to spend sometime....Your pics are such a delight! LOVE them. cherry

[jill]

Yum Clarice,

I'm glad you had a nice afternoon with friends,and what a perfect start to the holidays.

Jill xoo

[Rosemary]

You are clever Clarice!
Sounds yummy!
Rosemary

[Marilyn]

Oh, I love your red teacup. It just jumped out to me. Very pretty.

[the pleasures of homemaking]

Sounds like a wonderful time! You always show such pretty dishes!

Manuela

[diXymiss]

(Still smiling...) We had a wonderful time and so appreciated your warm hospitality. The orange loaf cake WAS indeed delicious ~ every last crumb of it! As was the tea and delightful (animated) conversation. ThanX again for a lovely afternoon.

diXymiss & piXies
XoXoX

PS: ThanX to Clarice, I have a new appreciation for eXotic spices. Freshly grated nutmeg and smoked paprika, in particular. WOW! And surprisingly ineXpensive when purchased in small amounts from grocery bulk bins.

[Sharon D.]

Thank you Clarice! These look wonderful and I bet they smell divine :)

Your tea sounds fun :)

[Lavender Dreamer]

I just got back from the grocery store but now I need to make another trip for oranges! This sounds like something I would LOVE! Your tea cups are precious! Wish I had been there!

[Thimbleanna]

Wow - I would have never thought to freeze the batter and then back it -- great idea!

[cynthia]

Clarice,

oh that sounds so delicious !! I love anything with oranges too! and those tea cups are so so pretty also!! I love girl days! ;)

xo Cynthia

[Mari at Once Upon a Plate]

Beautiful photo Clarice! Pretty teacups. :)

Yum, orange and chocolate is such a pleasant combination; I hope to make these very soon. Thank you for sharing the recipe.

I enjoy your blog so much!

I hope you have a chance to visit mine, I have a little token of appreciation for you:

http://onceuponaplate.blogspot.com/2008/11/thank-you-jain.html

(Sorry, I believe you'll have to copy and paste the address.)

Have a lovely day! ~m.

[Lady Laurie]

These sound delicious. I love orange and chocolate together. When we lived in England we would buy Terry's Chocolate Oranges at Christmas ~ I wonder if they still make them.
Love your teacups!

[Paula]

Dear Clarice,

I am so glad you and the girls had such a fun time! Your teacups are gorgeous and the recipe is wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
Love, Paula

[Carolyne]

Such pretty teacups......and *very* yummy sounding recipe! I must try it.
Have a bountiful week of Blessings every day.

[Gumbo Lily]

Orange and chocolate always is a good mix. This sounds delish. Love your tea setting. That red cup & saucer catches my eye.

Jody

[Suzanne]

Oh I can't wait to try this one Clarice! And you had me laughing about all the females talking at once and still understanding what was said, how true is that:-) and how fun!

[Selia]

Clarice,

What fun!!! I am surrounded by all males here. (except for some of the animals) The recipe sounds delicious and something my Italian husband would love. Very pretty tea cups. Thank you for sharing!
Blessings,
Selia