Description
These bright and zesty Orange Muffins are a delightful treat bursting with fresh orange flavor. Soft and moist with a tender crumb, they feature a perfect balance of sweetness and citrus tang, topped with a smooth orange glaze for extra indulgence. Ideal for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Muffins
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- Zest of 3 oranges
- 1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
Orange Glaze
- 1 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons fresh squeezed orange juice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Line every other cavity of a 12-count muffin pan with paper liners to ensure even baking and prevent overcrowding.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then add the buttermilk, vegetable oil, orange zest, and fresh orange juice. Mix thoroughly to combine all wet ingredients.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently just until they are combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the muffins light and tender. Let the batter rest for 15 minutes to help develop flavor and texture.
- Fill Muffin Liners: Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin liners, filling them completely full to achieve tall, fluffy muffins. Smooth the tops evenly.
- Bake Muffins: Place the muffins in the oven and bake at 425°F for 7 minutes to rise them quickly, then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for an additional 13–16 minutes. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool Muffins: Remove the muffins from the oven and allow them to cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare and Apply Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and fresh orange juice until smooth to create the glaze. Spoon or dip the glaze over the cooled muffins to add a glossy, sweet citrus finish.
Notes
- Be careful not to overmix the batter to keep the muffins tender.
- Resting the batter for 15 minutes helps improve the final texture.
- Filling the liners fully helps create tall, fluffy muffins.
- Adjust the baking time slightly if you use jumbo or mini muffin tins.
- The glaze adds moisture and extra orange flavor, but you can omit it if preferred.
