Sunshine Orange Muffins: Perfectly Moist & Bursting with Zest Recipe
Sunshine Orange Muffins are perfectly moist and bursting with vibrant citrus zest. These delightful muffins combine the fresh flavors of oranges with a tender crumb, topped with a luscious orange glaze for an extra burst of sweetness and zest.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 muffins 1x
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast, Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Zest of 2 large oranges (reserve a pinch for topping)
Wet Ingredients
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- Juice of 1 large orange (for batter and glaze)
For the Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh orange juice (adjust for desired consistency)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners to prepare for baking.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the orange zest and use your fingertips to rub it into the sugar and flour mixture, releasing the natural citrus oils for enhanced flavor.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, vegetable oil, and 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice until smooth and well combined.
- Mix wet and dry ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently fold with a spoon or spatula just until combined – a few lumps are fine. Avoid overmixing to keep the muffins tender and fluffy.
- Fill muffin cups: Divide the batter evenly among the 12 muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
- Bake muffins: Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes. Use a wooden skewer inserted into the center of a muffin to check doneness; it should come out clean.
- Prepare the glaze: While the muffins cool slightly in the pan, whisk together the powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of fresh orange juice in a small bowl. Add juice gradually until you achieve a drizzle-able consistency.
- Glaze and garnish: Once muffins are cool enough to handle, transfer them to a wire rack. Drizzle the orange glaze generously over each muffin and sprinkle with the reserved pinch of fresh orange zest for a burst of flavor and appealing presentation. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Avoid overmixing the batter to ensure tender, fluffy muffins.
- Rubbing the zest into the sugar and flour helps release citrus oils for a stronger orange flavor.
- Adjust the glaze consistency by adding orange juice a teaspoon at a time until desired thickness is reached.
- Use fresh oranges for the best vibrant flavor.
- Let muffins cool adequately before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off.
Keywords: orange muffins, citrus muffins, orange zest, glazed muffins, breakfast muffins, moist muffins, homemade muffins
