Description
Sunny California citrus meets bakery magic in our Zesty Orange Muffins, a delightful breakfast treat that dances with bright flavor. Moist crumb and tangy orange zest invite you to savor each delectable bite of pure morning happiness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Dry Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients:
- Zest of 2 oranges
- 3/4 cup fresh orange juice (about 2 oranges)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (or vegetable oil for a lighter version)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
Optional Add-ins:
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts
For the Glaze (Optional):
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
Instructions
- Prepare the oven environment by heating to 375°F (190°C) and setting up the muffin tin with protective paper liners or a light coating of grease.
- Create a dry ingredient foundation by thoroughly combining flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and vibrant orange zest in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Construct a liquid mixture by whisking orange juice, melted butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and creamy Greek yogurt until achieving a uniform, silky texture.
- Merge the liquid and dry components with a gentle folding technique, carefully blending until just incorporated – avoid aggressive stirring to maintain a tender muffin structure.
- Enhance the batter’s complexity by delicately introducing chocolate chips or chopped nuts, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
- Allocate the batter strategically into muffin cavities, filling each compartment approximately three-quarters full to allow proper rising during baking.
- Position the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18-22 minutes, monitoring until a inserted toothpick emerges clean and the tops display a golden-brown appearance.
- Allow the freshly baked muffins a brief resting period of 5 minutes within the tin, then transition them to a wire cooling rack to achieve complete temperature equilibration.
Notes
- Swap Greek yogurt with dairy-free alternatives like coconut or almond yogurt for a vegan-friendly version.
- Reduce sugar content by using monk fruit sweetener or stevia for a lower-calorie option.
- Toast nuts briefly before adding to enhance their nutty flavor and provide a delightful crunch.
- Experiment with different citrus zests like lemon or lime to create unique flavor variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg