Orange Chocolate Muffins with Cranberries

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup boiling water
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

First, heat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and get a 12-cup muffin tin ready by greasing it or lining it with paper liners. In a small bowl, combine the cranberries, orange zest, and baking soda, then pour boiling water over them. Let this sit for about 5 minutes while you get everything else together. Next, whisk together the brown sugar, oil, egg, and vanilla extract until smooth. Add the cranberry mixture to this and give it a good stir to combine. In another bowl, mix the flour and baking powder, then gently fold these dry ingredients into the wet mixture, being careful not to overmix. Finally, fold in the chocolate chips. Scoop the batter evenly into your muffin tin, then bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the muffins are golden and spring back when you lightly press the tops. Let them cool a bit before digging in!