Description

These Sunshine Orange Muffins are bright, citrusy treats perfect for breakfast or a snack. Made with fresh orange zest and juice, they boast a light, fluffy texture and a sweet orange glaze that adds an extra burst of flavor. Easy to prepare and baked to golden perfection, these muffins bring a sunny, refreshing twist to your muffin repertoire.

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)

Glaze

1 cup powdered sugar
2–3 tablespoons fresh orange juice (or more as needed for consistency)

Instructions

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 make removing muffins easier.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the orange zest for the muffins directly to the dry ingredients. Use your fingertips to rub the zest into the sugar and flour mixture to release the citrus oils and enhance the orange flavor.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, vegetable oil, and 2 tablespoons of the fresh orange juice until well blended.
Mix Batter: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Gently stir with a spoon or spatula just until combined. It’s okay if the batter is a bit lumpy — overmixing can make the muffins tough.
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 for 18-22 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. This ensures they are fully cooked but still moist.
Prepare Orange 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. Adjust juice quantity one teaspoon at a time until you achieve a drizzleable consistency.
Glaze and Serve: Once the muffins are cool enough to handle, remove them from the pan and place on a wire rack. Drizzle generously with the orange glaze and sprinkle the reserved pinch of orange zest on top for added flavor and a beautiful finish. Enjoy your sunny, flavorful treat!

Notes

Do not overmix the batter to keep muffins light and fluffy.
Adjust glazing juice amount to get the perfect drizzle consistency — it should be pourable but not runny.
Orange zest rubbed into sugar and flour intensifies the citrus aroma and flavor.
Make sure muffins cool slightly before glazing to prevent glaze from melting off.
These muffins freeze well — store in an airtight container and thaw before serving.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Snack
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Orange muffins, citrus muffins, breakfast muffins, orange glaze, easy muffin recipe, spring baking