Chocolate Orange Muffins

This is from a book entitled "Muffins" by Elizabeth Alston. My husband and daughter have enjoyed making these together for years.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Yields: 12 muffins

Ingredients

• 2  medium oranges, well scrubbed and wiped dry
• 3  ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 1  cup sugar
• 1⁄2 cup butter, at room temperature
• 2  large eggs
• 1⁄2 cup plain yogurt or 1⁄2 cup buttermilk or 1⁄2 cup sour cream
• 1⁄2 cup  freshly squeezed  orange juice
• 1  teaspoon baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 2  cups flour

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Grease muffin cups or use foil baking cups.
3. Finely grate orange peel.
4. Try to take just the orange part.
5. A little white pith will probably adhere.
6. Chop chocolate with large knife, or use chocolate chips.
7. Using a wooden spoon or an electric mixer, beat sugar and butter in a large bowl until pale and fluffy.
8. Beat in eggs one at a time.
9. Add orange peel.
10. Add yogurt, orange juice, baking powder and baking soda.
11. Mix very well.
12. Batter will be quite liquid.
13. Sprinkle flour, then chocolate, over batter.
14. Fold gently, just enough to blend flour.
15. Scoop the batter into muffin cups.
16. Bake 15 to 25 minutes, until golden brown and springy to touch.
17. Let cool on wire rack.
18. Serve hot or warm.