Orange and Chocolate Chunk Muffins

Orange and Chocolate--hmm,even writing both together makes me feel so good.I love the combo,the citrusy flavor of the orange mixed with the deep dark chocolate flavor makes anything taste good.Especially in baked goods,I've tried this combo before and absolutely loved it.

I had bought a lone Orange in hopes of making an Orange pound cake,but as usual,the thought of adding so much butter[for the pound cake]made my plans go haywire.I also wanted to use the Microplaner I got as part of this giveaway.Though I've been using it extensively in my kitchen for grating ginger,garlic and even cinnamon and nutmeg,I really wanted to see how it zests Citrus fruits.


While going through Aparna's blog for T&T,I saw this post by Deeba,where she had blogged about a muffin with Orange and Chocolate chips.Now,whenever a recipe calls for steps like--mix until enough,or fold in etc,I start to panic.Somehow I feel I am doing it wrong.So I stick with recipes which require 'beating'.This recipe is a mix between Deeba's muffins and Ria's Squarecakes.I should say the match was made in heaven*wink wink*.

Orange and Chocolate Chunk Muffins
Adapted from Deeba & Ria

Ingredients

All purpose flour - 1 1/2 cups
Whole wheat flour - 1/2 cup
Baking powder - 2 tsp
Salt - 1/4 tsp
Butter - 1/2 cup[100 gms]
Sugar - 1 cup,heaped [granular]
Eggs - 2
Milk - 1/2 cup
Freshly squeezed Orange juice - 1/2 cup
Freshly grated Orange zest - 1 tsp
Chocolate Chunks/chopped chocolate - 1/3 cup


Method


Preheat oven to 180C.
Sift together both the flours,baking powder and salt 3 times.
Beat together butter and sugar till fluffy,about 2-3 minutes.
Add the eggs,one at a time and beat well.
Mix in the flour alternately with milk and orange juice[starting and ending with flour],until the batter becomes smooth and fluffy and no specks of flour remain.
Fold in the chocolate chunks.
Pour into greased/line Muffin tin and bake for 20-22 minutes.
[Makes 18 cupcakes]