Soft, bakery-style orange chocolate chip muffins made in a small batch. Light citrus flavor, melty chocolate chips, and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon coffee.
Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins (Small Batch & Bakery-Style)
I baked these orange chocolate chip muffins on a whim — partly because orange has been everywhere lately, and partly because I wanted something bright and cozy at the same time. Something that felt like winter was loosening its grip, but spring hadn’t quite arrived yet.
And the first bite stopped me.
They were soft, lightly citrusy, and filled with pockets of melted chocolate. Not too sweet. Not too heavy. Just… right. The kind of muffin you reach for with your coffee and then immediately decide you’ll “just have one more.”
They’re small batch, simple, and made with ingredients you probably already have — which makes them dangerous in the best way.
Enjoy!
Ingredients
You’ll need just a handful of pantry staples plus fresh orange flavor:
- Egg
- Milk
- Canola oil
- All-purpose flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Orange zest
- Fresh orange juice
- Mini chocolate chips - semi sweet or dark chocolate
- Coarse sugar (optional topping)
-- Let’s Make It Together
Start by placing the sugar and orange zest in a small bowl. Using your fingertips, rub the zest into the sugar until it becomes fragrant and slightly moist. This simple step releases the natural citrus oils and gives the muffins a deeper orange flavor.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, oil, and orange juice until smooth.
Add in the flour, baking powder, salt, and the orange-infused sugar. Gently stir just until combined. The batter should look slightly lumpy — that’s exactly what you want. Overmixing will make the muffins dense instead of tender.
Fold in most of the chocolate chips, saving a small handful for the tops.
Divide the batter evenly among a greased 6-cup muffin tin. Gently press the remaining chocolate chips into the tops of each muffin for that classic bakery-style look. Sprinkle with coarse sugar if using.
Bake until the muffins are lightly golden and set in the center. Let them cool slightly before serving.
.jpg "Soft, bakery-style orange chocolate chip muffins made in a small batch. Light citrus flavor, melty chocolate chips, and perfect for breakfast, brunch, or afternoon coffee.")
-- Perfecting the Cooking Process
For the best orange flavor, take a minute to rub the zest into the sugar before mixing the batter. This releases the natural oils in the peel and perfumes the entire batch. Pair that with gentle mixing and a few chocolate chips pressed into the tops, and you’ll get soft, bakery-style muffins with bright citrus flavor and beautiful presentation every time.
Add Your Touch
Swap in dark chocolate chips for a richer flavor, add chopped walnuts for crunch, or drizzle with a light orange glaze for extra sweetness. These muffins are easy to customize depending on your mood.
If you love cozy baking with bright flavors, you might also enjoy my Orange Cardamom Muffins or Spiced Ginger-Pear Scones. Both are simple treats that fit perfectly into slow mornings and afternoon coffee breaks.
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Before You Start
- Zest oranges before juicing
- Measure flour correctly (spoon and level)
- Don’t pack chocolate chips
- Oven temperatures vary — check early
- Store leftovers in an airtight container
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