Description
A bright and decadent treat combining the zesty, floral aroma of fresh oranges with rich dark chocolate. Using a unique high-heat baking method, these muffins achieve a coveted bakery-style height, a tender crumb, and a crunchy sugar-coated top.
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cups (225g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder, ½ tsp kosher salt
- ⅔ cup (145g) granulated sugar (plus extra for topping)
- 2 large naval oranges (zested)
- 8 tbsp (113g) unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 large eggs, ½ cup (100g) whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 ¼ cups (200g) dark chocolate chips
Instructions
Prep: Preheat oven to 425°F. Line 8 muffin cups (leave 4 empty) and spray the pan top to prevent sticking.
Infuse: Rub orange zest into the sugar with your fingers until highly aromatic and resembling wet sand.
Wet Mix: Whisk melted butter, eggs, milk, and vanilla into the orange sugar until smooth.
Combine: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Fold dry ingredients and chocolate chips into wet mixture until just combined (batter will be thick).
Bake: Divide batter into the 8 cups. Sprinkle with sugar. Place in oven and immediately reduce heat to 400°F. Bake 20–24 mins until a toothpick is clean.
Notes
The Temperature Trick: Starting at 425°F and dropping to 400°F creates a burst of steam that lifts the tops rapidly for that iconic high dome.
Rub the Zest: Friction breaks the oil glands in the orange skin, flavoring the entire batter rather than just leaving flecks.
Thick Batter: This batter is substantial by design. Avoid over-mixing to ensure the muffins remain tender rather than rubbery.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 24 minutes
- Category: Breakfast / Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 muffin
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 24
- Sodium: 210
- Fat: 22
- Saturated Fat: 13
- Unsaturated Fat: 9
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 52
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 6
- Cholesterol: 85
Keywords: orange chocolate chip muffins, bakery style muffins, high dome muffins, dark chocolate orange recipe, jumbo orange muffins