Recipe #93: Orange Chocolate Muffins

Orange Chocolate Muffins

Continuing with the "O" muffins that I'm adding to those in the book, 201 Muffins, I made orange chocolate muffins. For these muffins, I chose Chocolate Orange Muffins, a recipe from a blog called The Hedge Combers, a Cornish foodie website. Being from the UK, the recipe was in metric and had to be translated. But that was the only problem with this recipe. The muffins turned out delicious. I love the combination of orange and chocolate, and these had both in abundance. I added the sugar crystals on top, but otherwise stuck to the recipe. I and my tasters liked them a lot! I would definitely make these again.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Next up:  Orange Poppy Seed Muffins

Recipe #92: Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins

Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins

This recipe was not taken from the book, 201 Muffins. I decided there were not enough orange recipes, so I'm adding two or three, starting with Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins.

For these muffins, I used a recipe I've used before: the Basic Muffins recipe from King Arthur Flour's website. I looked at several orange chocolate chip recipes, but I didn't like them--most either had not enough orange flavor or were too complicated (unnecessarily, I determined). So I made my own version, starting with the Basic Muffins recipe, using chunks of orange for the fruit (1 cup) and 1/2 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 cup walnuts. I did a bit of tinkering that I now don't recall. They came out a little dry, I think, though I'm not sure why--maybe the result of my tinkering? My tasters liked them though they didn't rave. I probably won't make them again unless I come across a better recipe.

I rated these 4 out of 5, mostly for the dryness.

Next up, another orange recipe, this time Orange Chocolate Muffins.

Recipe #91: Orange Cranberry Muffins

Orange Cranberry Muffins

For these muffins, I found a number of recipes on the internet. I chose one that used dried cranberries, as I found when I used fresh cranberries back in the "C" recipes that they were a little too tart for my taste. The recipe I chose was Cranberry Orange Muffins from the Food Network.  The dried cranberries I used were Craisins, which are cranberries with sugar added, so sweeter still!

I changed a few ingredients: white whole wheat flour for half of the flour, and oil for the butter. I also added walnuts and two tablespoons of triple-sec liqueur to the orange juice. I sprinkled some sugar on top, as the recipe suggested.

I think these came out rather nice; a little bit tart but also sweet. The whole wheat flour added some flavor and texture. My tasters enjoyed them, as did I.

I rate these 5 out of 5. I would definitely make them again!

For next time, I plan to add a recipe that will take the place of the next recipe in the book: Papaya Muffins. I don't like papaya, so I will go with an additional orange recipe: Orange Chocolate Chip Muffins.

Recipe #90: Olive and Cheese Muffins

Olive and Cheese Muffins

The recipe in 201 Muffins called for black olives and cheese in an otherwise flour based muffin. But since I had some polenta left over, I decided to look for a recipe that would use corn meal with green olives and cheese. I found one at Genius Kitchen: Olive Cornbread. This recipe was designed to make mini loaves with olive slices on top. I decided to chop the olives and put them right into the mix and make muffins instead. I didn't have to bake them as long, and I added some sunflower seeds on top for texture.

They came out rather well, I think. They tasted good and were hearty. We ate them with a nice Mexican style chicken soup I made for supper. My tasters liked them very much.

I would definitely make these again if the occasion arose.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Next up: Orange Cranberry Muffins

Recipe #89: Old Fashioned German Muffins

Old Fashioned German Muffins

This recipe is another one of those that is apparently standard. All the websites that had this recipe had the exact same recipe. It was a rather plain muffin, with main ingredients of ground almonds, raisins, and rum. The recipe I used came from RecipeLand.com: Old Fashioned German Muffins.

I pretty much stuck to the recipe except that I didn't have rum so I used peach brandy. There was quite a bit of butter in the mix: 3/4 cup. I used oil instead of butter, which may have been too much and why the muffins seemed a bit greasy. If I made them again, I would probably use some applesauce instead of so much fat.

They were quite good, though, even with only a half cup of sugar. My tasters enjoyed them as well!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 (due to oilyness)

Next: Olive and Cheese Muffins

Recipe #88: Oatmeal Muffins

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins

The recipe in the book, 201 Muffins, made a rather plain muffin, so I decided to make mine more interesting by adding chocolate chips and cinnamon chips. I found a recipe at a website called Inside BruCrew Life: Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Muffins. The fact that the first word of the title is chocolate should give you a clue that there are lots of chocolate chips in the muffin--in fact, one cup of chocolate chips and a half cup of toffee chips. That's a lot for a normal sized recipe. I didn't have toffee chips so I decided to use cinnamon chips. Moreover, the recipe called for quick oats, but I didn't have any. So after researching the substitution of old fashioned oats, I decided that would be okay. The oats made for a nubby texture, however, which I didn't really like all that much. My tasters thought they were good, though, and one even said he liked the texture. Otherwise, they were sweet and chocolatey, so their virtues made up for their less-than-perfect texture. If I were to make these again, I would use quick oats or make quick oats out of old-fashioned. I also left off the coffee glaze, thinking they were sweet enough as they were.

All in all, these were good muffins. I rate them 4 out of 5 (though I was to blame for the deficits).

Next up: Old Fashioned German Muffins

Recipe #87: Oat Bran Muffins

Oat Bran Muffins

For these muffins, I chose a plain oat bran muffin recipe that I got from the Joy of Baking website, Oat Bran Muffins. I decided the recipe didn't have enough oil, so I doubled the 2 T to 1/4 cup. And instead of raisins I added dates and walnuts. Other than those changes, I think I pretty much followed the recipe. I didn't add the recommended oat meal garnish.

I think they came out quite tasty. They were pretty hearty and sweet enough with a strong molasses flavor, which I like. My tasters also thought they were good.

Next recipe also uses oatmeal, but this time I think I will add chocolate chips! Who knew the "Os" would be so much fun!

I rated these muffins 5 out of 5. I know--I'm an easy grader.

'Til next time!