Orange Ricotta Muffins

Craving sunshine at this time of year is nothing new to me.  The upper midwest can give you lots of snow, bitter cold or both.  I had some oranges in my refrigerator that needed a home along with some ricotta that I had intended to use for stuffed shells but never got around to it and used the other ingredients for a pizza.  These muffins are very moist and give you a nice hint of orange in both the muffin and the glaze.

Orange Ricotta Muffins

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup ricotta

1 large egg

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups flour

2 tsp orange zest

1/2 cup orange juice

Cream together the butter and sugar.  Mix in the ricotta and egg.  Alternate adding the remaining dry ingredients and the orange juice.  Fill the baking cups 3/4 full.  Bake for 20 minutes at 350°.  Makes 12 muffins.