Zesty Orange Muffins Recipe

Zesty Glazed Orange Muffins Recipe: Bright Breakfast Delight!

Mornings brim with possibility when fresh zesty orange muffins dance across your breakfast table.

Citrusy aromas swirl through the kitchen, promising a delightful start to any day.

Soft, tender crumb meets bright, tangy orange zest in these irresistible baked treats.

Each muffin carries a burst of sunshine, capturing the essence of vibrant citrus flavors.

The recipe balances sweetness with a subtle orange kick that awakens sleepy taste buds.

Tender morsels emerge from the oven, golden and inviting, ready to transform an ordinary morning into something extraordinary.

Bake these muffins and savor a moment of pure, zesty bliss.

How To Bake Glazed Orange Muffins

  • Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 180C (350F). Grab a muffin tin and line it with cute paper cups or give it a quick spray of cooking oil.

  • Create the Dry Base

Toss flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a large mixing bowl. Give them a good whisk to blend everything together.

  • Whip Up the Wet Mixture

In another bowl, crack eggs and pour in fresh orange juice, milk, melted butter, zesty orange peel, and vanilla. Blend until silky smooth.

  • Merge the Mixtures

Gently pour the wet ingredients into the dry ones. Stir just enough to combine – lumps are totally okay! Don’t go crazy mixing.

  • Fill and Bake

Spoon the batter into muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full. Pop the tin into the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.

  • Cool and Glaze

Let muffins rest in the tin for 5 minutes, then move to a cooling rack. For the glaze, whisk powdered sugar, orange juice, and orange zest until smooth. Once muffins are cool, drizzle or dunk the tops in the glittery glaze. Let the glaze set for a few minutes before diving in.

Tips To Make Glazed Orange Muffins Better

  • Citrus Zest Boost: Increase the orange flavor by adding an extra teaspoon of orange zest to the batter for a more intense citrusy punch.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the muffin batter the night before and store it in the refrigerator. In the morning, simply bake for fresh, warm muffins with minimal morning effort.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these muffins suitable for those with gluten sensitivities. Add a teaspoon of xanthan gum to improve texture.
  • Dairy-Free Twist: Replace milk with almond milk or coconut milk, and use coconut oil instead of butter for a delicious dairy-free version that doesn't compromise on flavor.
  • Nutty Crunch Variation: Fold in 1/2 cup of chopped toasted almonds or pecans into the batter for an added texture and nutty depth to the muffins.

Serving Glazed Orange Muffins Made Easy

  • Breakfast Companion Delight: Pair these zesty orange muffins with a steaming cup of morning coffee or herbal tea for a refreshing start to your day.
  • Brunch Showstopper: Arrange the glazed muffins on a beautiful platter alongside fresh fruit salad and yogurt for an impressive weekend brunch spread.
  • Sweet Afternoon Pick-Me-Up: Serve these muffins with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream as a delightful midday treat that brings sunshine to your plate.
  • Gifting Goodness: Package a few muffins in a cute box with a ribbon for a homemade gift that shows you care, perfect for neighbors, teachers, or friends.

How To Store Glazed Orange Muffins Right

  • Countertop Freshness: Keep muffins at room temperature in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Place a paper towel underneath to absorb excess moisture and maintain their delightful texture.
  • Refrigerator Extend: Store glazed muffins in sealed containers for up to 5 days. Wrap each muffin individually with plastic wrap to prevent drying and preserve their soft consistency.
  • Freezer Friendly: Wrap unglazed muffins tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and add fresh glaze before serving for maximum flavor impact.
  • Quick Reheating Trick: Warm refrigerated muffins for 10-15 seconds in the microwave. For frozen muffins, let them defrost naturally, then briefly warm in the oven at 160C (325F) to restore their fresh-baked warmth and softness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 13

What’s Inside Glazed Orange Muffins

For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Foundation of the muffins, ensures tender and soft texture with delicate crumb.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create golden-brown muffin surface.
  • Baking Powder: Creates light and airy texture by generating air bubbles during baking.
  • Baking Soda: Helps muffins rise and neutralizes acidic ingredients like orange juice.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
For Wet Ingredients:
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to rich, moist texture.
  • Orange Juice: Adds vibrant citrus flavor and natural sweetness.
  • Milk: Creates tender crumb and adds moisture to the batter.
  • Unsalted Butter: Provides richness and helps develop golden exterior.
  • Orange Zest: Intensifies citrus aroma and adds bright, concentrated flavor.
  • Vanilla Extract: Rounds out flavor profile and adds depth.
For Glaze Ingredients:
  • Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy glaze with perfect drizzling consistency.
  • Orange Juice: Adds tangy flavor and helps achieve ideal glaze texture.
  • Orange Zest: Boosts citrus intensity and provides visual appeal.

Tools For Glazed Orange Muffins

  • Muffin Tin: 12-cup standard size, essential for shaping and baking muffins.
  • Mixing Bowls: Two medium to large bowls, one for dry ingredients and another for wet ingredients.
  • Whisk: Perfect for mixing dry ingredients and blending wet ingredients smoothly.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
  • Zester or Grater: Needed to extract fresh orange zest for intense citrus flavor.
  • Spoon or Spatula: Helps gently fold wet and dry ingredients together.
  • Wire Cooling Rack: Allows muffins to cool evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
  • Small Bowl: Used for preparing the orange glaze.
Print
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Zesty Orange Muffins Recipe

Zesty Orange Muffins Recipe


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4.7 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Orange-glazed muffins combine zesty citrus with sweet comfort for a delightful breakfast treat. Bakers can craft these delectable pastries with simple ingredients and minimal effort, creating a memorable morning experience.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 250 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
  • 150 g (¾ cup) granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 large eggs
  • 120 ml (½ cup) orange juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 120 ml (½ cup) milk
  • 100 g (½ cup) butter (unsalted, melted)
  • 1 tbsp orange zest (from 1 orange)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 100 g (¾ cup) powdered sugar
  • 23 tbsps orange juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 1 tsp orange zest (optional)

Instructions

  1. Blend Dry Elements: Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl, creating a consistent dry foundation with uniform texture.
  2. Combine Wet Components: Whisk eggs, orange juice, milk, melted butter, orange zest, and vanilla extract until the liquid mixture becomes a smooth, aromatic blend with vibrant citrus notes.
  3. Merge Ingredients: Delicately fold liquid mixture into dry ingredients using gentle circular motions, maintaining a slightly lumpy consistency to ensure tender, light muffins. Avoid aggressive stirring that could develop tough gluten networks.
  4. Prepare Baking Station: Preheat oven to 180C (350F) and line muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease surfaces to prevent adhesion. Evenly distribute batter across cups, filling each approximately three-quarters full to accommodate rising during baking.
  5. Bake and Assess: Position muffin tin in preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. Monitor doneness by inserting a toothpick; it should emerge clean with golden-brown muffin tops indicating perfect caramelization.
  6. Cool and Glaze: Allow muffins to rest in tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to wire rack. Whisk powdered sugar with orange juice and zest to create a silky, pourable glaze. Once muffins reach room temperature, drizzle or dip tops with citrusy glaze, ensuring elegant, even coverage.
  7. Finish and Serve: Let glaze set for several minutes, creating a delicate, luminous finish that enhances the moist, orange-infused muffins’ sensory appeal.

Notes

  • Prevent Overmixing: Gently fold wet and dry ingredients, keeping the batter slightly lumpy to ensure light and tender muffins with a soft crumb.
  • Zest Maximization: Use fresh orange zest for intense citrus flavor, avoiding white pith which can introduce bitterness to the muffins.
  • Temperature Precision: Allow ingredients like eggs and milk to reach room temperature before mixing to create a more uniform batter and consistent baking results.
  • Glaze Consistency Control: Adjust powdered sugar and orange juice ratio to achieve the perfect drizzling thickness – add sugar to thicken or juice to thin out the glaze.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 15 g
  • Sodium: 180 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 31 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 50 mg
Olivia Bennett

Olivia Bennett

Co-Founder & Content Creator

Expertise

Nutritional Analysis​, Dietary Accommodations​, Food Writing and Blogging​,

Education

University of Texas at Austin

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition
  • Focus: Emphasis on dietary planning, food science, and the relationship between nutrition and health.​

Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY

  • Program: Plant-Based Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Specialized training in vegetarian and vegan cooking techniques, emphasizing whole foods and sustainability.​

Olivia Bennett is Cooking Crusade’s go-to expert for nutritious, feel-good food. Based in Austin, she blends her degree in Nutrition from the University of Texas with plant-based culinary training from the Institute of Culinary Education.

Olivia’s recipes are all about balance: vibrant, wholesome, and easy-to-love dishes that work for all kinds of eaters. Her mission is simple: to make healthy eating approachable and genuinely tasty, with tips that support your lifestyle, not complicate it.

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