Description
These Zesty Orange Muffins are delightfully fluffy and bursting with fresh citrus flavor. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, they combine tangy orange juice and zest with a moist, tender crumb enhanced by buttermilk and vanilla. The light glaze adds a sweet finishing touch to these easy-to-make muffins.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
- 1/2 cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 tsp Baking Soda
- 1/4 tsp Salt
Wet Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Unsalted Butter (melted)
- 1/2 cup Buttermilk (or whole milk)
- 1 Large Egg
- 1/2 cup Fresh Orange Juice
- 1 tbsp Orange Zest (from about 1 orange)
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
Glaze
- 1/4 cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 tbsp Fresh Orange Juice
- 1/4 tsp Orange Zest
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease it lightly with butter or non-stick spray.
- Mix Dry Ingredients. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined evenly.
- Combine Wet Ingredients. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted unsalted butter, buttermilk, large egg, fresh orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold together using a spatula or wooden spoon. Mix until just combined; be careful not to overmix to keep the muffins light and fluffy.
- Fill Muffin Cups. Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each about 2/3 full.
- Bake the Muffins. Bake the muffins in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the tops are golden.
- Prepare the Orange Glaze. While the muffins cool, whisk together powdered sugar, fresh orange juice, and orange zest in a small bowl until smooth.
- Glaze the Muffins. Once the muffins are cool enough to handle, drizzle the orange glaze over the tops for a zesty, sweet finish.
- Serve and Enjoy. Allow the glaze to set briefly then serve the muffins fresh. These are best enjoyed within 2 days but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
- Using buttermilk enhances the tangy flavor and tender texture but whole milk can be used as a substitute.
- Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep the muffins fluffy and prevent them from becoming dense.
- Fresh orange juice and zest are essential for bright citrus flavor; avoid using bottled juice if possible.
- You can add 1/2 cup of chopped nuts or dried cranberries for extra texture if desired.
- Muffins can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days or frozen for longer storage.
