Orange Ricotta Chocolate Chip Muffins
Knock, knock? Who’s there. Orange. Orange who? Orange you glad I made you Orange Ricotta Chocolate Chip Muffins? Sorry for the corny joke. I hope you will forgive me after you taste one of these delightful Orange Ricotta Chocolate Chip Muffins.
We had a big tub of ricotta cheese in our fridge that needed to be used up before our vacation. I made stuffed shells, ricotta cookies, and still had enough left to make one more thing. I was in the mood for a little morning baking…and a morning treat, so I made Orange Ricotta Chocolate Chip Muffins.
I am so glad I hate wasting food. I could have let the ricotta cheese sit in our fridge and grow mold while we are in Maui, but instead I created these glorious Orange Ricotta Chocolate Chip Muffins. I may have eaten one too many, so sorry if you saw me and my muffin top on the beach..ha! These babies were so worth it! And don’t worry we will be sharing our Maui experience soon. We got home yesterday and are exhausted. We want to go back already:)
These muffins are on the verge of being a dessert since they have chocolate chips and a sweet glaze. But since they are technically muffins, you can enjoy them for breakfast. Orange is in the title too, so that cancels out the chocolate and glaze in my book. These are made to be eaten as soon as you climb out of bed. They are too good to wait for dessert time.
If you haven’t baked with ricotta cheese before, you are missing out. It produces the most amazing results. These muffins are rich, tender, and dotted with chocolate chips. I added orange zest and fresh orange juice to the muffin batter, but I wanted a little more burst of orange so I drizzled the muffins with a sweet orange glaze. The chocolate and orange combo is incredible.
If you are trying to use up your ricotta cheese, start with these Orange Ricotta Chocolate Chip Muffins. And if you don’t have any ricotta cheese, go grab some to make these marvelous muffins!
Orange Ricotta Chocolate Chip Muffins
Yield: 12 muffins
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 18-20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose Gold Medal flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup granulated sugar
Zest of 1 orange
1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 large egg
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chipsFor the glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon orange zest
2 tablespoons fresh orange juiceDirections:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. In a small bowl, add the sugar and orange zest. Rub the orange zest and sugar together with your fingers.
3. Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar and orange zest mixture together until light and fluffy, about two minutes. Add the ricotta cheese and beat until smooth. Beat in the egg, orange juice, and vanilla extract.
4. Add the dry ingredients and mix until just blended. Stir in the chocolate chips. Using an ice cream scoop or large spoon, divide the batter evenly between the 12 muffin cups.
5. Bake muffins for about 18-20 minutes, or until the tops are slightly golden brown. Let muffins cool completely.
6. While the muffins are cooking, make the glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, orange zest, and orange juice. Drizzle glaze over muffins. Let the muffins sit until glaze hardens.
Note-we've made these muffins with low-fat and full fat ricotta cheese. Both work nicely so take your pick:)
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SaveIf you like these Orange Ricotta Chocolate Chip Muffins, you might also like:
- Lemon Ricotta Blackberry Muffins from Two Peas and Their Pod
- Glazed Orange Muffins from Pinch of Yum
- Orange Ricotta Cookies with Dark Chocolate from Two Peas and Their Pod
- Orange and White Chocolate Muffins from Baked Bree
Welcome to Two Peas and Their Pod. We share a love of cooking, baking, and entertaining. We enjoy creating recipes that are simple, fresh, and family friendly. Join us in our culinary adventures-our kitchen is always open! 
YUMMY! I have been meaning to do more baking with ricotta (and I’ve had ricotta pancakes on my to make list forever!). Definitely an awesome way to use up the leftover ricotta
Oh my gosh, what a fantastic idea! I love the idea of ricotta cheese in muffins! Loving the orange and chocolate combo! One of my favorites!!
I love this recipe! I haven’t ever baked with ricotta before…I need to try!
Glad you guys had a great vacation!
These look so good they will be perfect to take for my Bible study and my moms connection group. Thanks for another totally yummy recipe!
those sound really good!
I am so glad you had fun on vacation, but I’m super jealous!! I think you should make me some of these muffins to ease the pain
Maria, these look amazing! I adore ricotta, and I love the combination of flavours you’ve worked into these — delightful! xo
These are beautiful! What a great way to use up leftover ricotta.
haha! All kinds of cheesiness in this post, starting with the jokes! Love it!
The muffins look SO good. Never would’ve thought to use ricotta in them! Followed your Maui trip on Instagram and, yes, I definitely was a bit jealous. How fun!
Can not wait to try this one!
LOVE this combo of flavors! So much yumminess all in one muffin.
The orange/chocolate combo is probably my favorite of all time. These look positively delightful, I will definitely be making these soon. Thanks Maria!
This would be the best thing to wake up to!
These look so tasty Maria! xoxo
Orange and chocolate are always a WIN!!!!
these look so fluffy and delicious! i love how poofy the tops got. the icing is totally drinkable, right?
Not kidding you, just before I opened my Reader, I was thinking to myself that I haven’t made anything with chocolate and orange in awhile, and that I needed to do so as soon as I get home. Then…look what you made!
These sound SO amazing!
I’m glad you had a fun trip!
I’m on a total citrus kick right now. I love orange and chocolate together! These look so yummy and those liners are adorable. Welcome back!!
We are huge muffin fans in my house. This citrus and chocolate combation looks heavenly.
Those look so good! I would love to wake up to them in the morning!
These look yummy. I love having a recipe for the rest of the ricotta that is always leftover after making lasagna!
Why yes, I WOULD like one for each hand.
I’ve never baked with ricotta before – I think it’s time to change that!
Such classic flavor combo – just like an Italian cannoli!
Sounds good! I think I might try these with blueberries instead of chocolate so I can seriously pretend they’re healthy.
Love the citrus and ricotta! These look wonderful, Maria!!
Oh. Goodness. How wonderful do those look!? Pinned and making!
Two Peas replied: — January 27th, 2013 @ 10:22 am
Thanks!
Pairing citrus and chocolate is a new favorite of mine! Loving these muffins!
Orange and chocolate is the best combination!! These look perfect!!
Funny I just found an unopened tub of ricotta today! These sound like a lovely treat!
There’s not much out there that makes my mouth water by simply looking at a picture of it, but THIS is mouth-watering!
OBSESSED
These look so delicious. I love the idea of ricotta in these cupcakes. I bet they are so moist. I would love one of these to end my night or start my day with a cup of coffee. This is my first visit to your site, but definitely won’t be my last. Keep up the good work.
Those look delicious! I might have to go buy some ricotta to make these soon. I love ricotta in baked goods!
I have a tub of ricotta that was just waiting on me to make something with it. Can’t wait to try these out tomorrow!
i love the combo of orange and chocolate, i must try these!
These look sooo good maria! I am so in love with orange
Mmm what a fabulous recipe!
Such a perfect breakfast!! I love that they involve ricotta
I love the flavors of orange and chocolate together, and these look irresistible!