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Sunshine Orange Muffins Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 52 reviews

Sunshine Orange Muffins are soft, fluffy, and bursting with bright citrus flavor. These homemade muffins combine fresh orange zest and juice with a tender crumb, topped with a sweet orange glaze that adds extra sweetness and tang. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a light snack, they bring a refreshing, sunny start to your day.

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 (for glazing)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven and prepare muffin tin: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until well combined.
  3. Add and rub in orange zest: Add the orange zest to the dry mixture. Use your fingertips to gently rub the zest into the flour and sugar; this releases essential oils and enhances the orange flavor in your muffins.
  4. Combine wet ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, vegetable oil, and 2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice until smooth.
  5. Mix wet and dry ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Gently stir with a spoon or spatula just until combined; lumps are fine. Avoid overmixing to keep the muffins light and fluffy.
  6. Fill muffin cups: Evenly distribute the batter between the 12 muffin liners, filling each about two-thirds full to allow room for rising.
  7. Bake the muffins: Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 18-22 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a wooden skewer into the center of a muffin; it should come out clean.
  8. Prepare the glaze: While muffins cool slightly in the pan, whisk together powdered sugar and 2-3 tablespoons of fresh orange juice in a small bowl. Adjust juice quantity a teaspoon at a time until you achieve a smooth, pourable glaze.
  9. Glaze and finish: Once the muffins are cool enough to handle, remove them from the pan and place on a wire rack. Drizzle each muffin generously with the orange glaze, then sprinkle with the reserved pinch of fresh orange zest for an aromatic, colorful finish.

Notes

  • Do not overmix the batter to ensure the muffins remain tender and soft.
  • The orange zest rubbing step really boosts citrus flavor, don’t skip it.
  • If fresh orange juice is not available, bottled juice can be used, though fresh is preferable for best flavor.
  • These muffins are best served the same day but can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute milk with almond or oat milk.

Keywords: orange muffins, citrus muffins, breakfast muffins, homemade muffins, orange zest muffins, glazed muffins, easy muffin recipe, quick breakfast

Find it online: https://victoriablair.com/sunshine-orange-muffins-recipe/