Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins

23 years ago, I began clipping out recipes handed down in my family from one generation to the next, plus recipes gifted to me by friends. Looking through these piled recipes, I came across this delicious “Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins ”, and I asked myself a question. “Why on earth did I forget to put it in my cookbook?” However, I am happy to share it with you. I remember my kids ate tons of these. Orange-chocolate is a great combo. Adding the chocolate ganache on top is absolutely optional, but it is pretty good. Give these muffins a try, and they will give you loads of satisfaction. Happy eating!

Ingredients:

300g. / 10.5 oz. sugar (1 cup + 4 tablespoons)

300 g. /10.5 oz. all-purpose flour (11/2 cups)

300g. /10.5 oz. butter (2 3/4 sticks), softened

6 eggs

1 teaspoon baking powder

Zest of 1 orange

A drop of orange flavoring

200g. /7 oz. semisweet chocolate chips

¼ teaspoon salt

For the chocolate ganache:

200g. /7 oz. semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped

1 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon butter

For garnish:

Some mandarin segments

Directions:

First off, make sure all ingredients are at room temperature.

Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F. Place a rack in the center of the oven.

Brush a 24 medium sized muffin pan with butter then lightly coat it with flour. Shake it well and get rid of the excess flour.

Cream the butter with an electric mixer on high speed for 30 seconds. Add the sugar, orange flavoring and orange zest and beat for 30 more seconds.

Add the eggs one at a time and beat for 1 minute.

Fold in the flour, salt and baking powder and stir well with a wooden spoon.Stir inthe chocolate chips and scrape down the edges of the bowl, making sure thatall ingredients are well combined.

Spoon the batter into the muffin pan, filling about two third of the cups.

Bake for 15-20 minutes or until you insert a toothpick in the center of the cake and it comes out clean. Remove from the oven, allow to cool down before transferring to aserving plate.

Meantime, prepare the chocolate ganache:

Place the chocolate in a medium bowl.

In a small heavy saucepan, heat the cream and bring just to a boil.

Directly pour over the chopped chocolate.

Stir the sugar and butter. Set aside.

Allow the ganache to slightly cool down before pouring over the muffins.

Decorate with mandarin segments (optional)