Orange Muffins with Orange Glaze Recipe

Introduction

These orange muffins are bursting with fresh citrus flavor and have a tender, moist crumb. Perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack, they feature a bright orange glaze that adds a lovely finishing touch.

Ingredients

• 3 cups (360g) all purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups (297g) granulated sugar
• 3 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup (177ml) buttermilk
• ½ cup (118ml) vegetable oil
• Zest of 3 oranges (3-5 Tbsp)
• ¼ cup (59ml) fresh squeezed orange juice
• 1 ⅓ cup (151g) powdered sugar
• 3 Tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice (for glaze)

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir well to combine and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a larger bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, orange zest, and orange juice for about 30 seconds until blended.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently by hand just until combined. The batter will be thick.
4. Step 4: Cover the bowl with a towel and let the batter rest for 15 minutes while preheating the oven to 425ºF (220ºC).
5. Step 5: Line a 12-cup muffin pan with 6 liners, filling every other cup to allow the muffins to rise and dome without touching each other.
6. Step 6: Fill each liner to the top with batter. Use a butter knife to smooth out the surface if needed.
7. Step 7: Optionally, sprinkle sanding sugar on top for a sweet crunch.
8. Step 8: Bake the muffins at 425ºF for 7 minutes. Then reduce oven temperature to 350ºF (175ºC) and bake for 13-16 minutes more, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the muffins cool in the pan before removing. Repeat baking with the remaining batter, warming the oven back to 425ºF for the first 7 minutes.
9. Step 9: To prepare the orange glaze, mix the powdered sugar and orange juice together until smooth. Add more juice if needed to reach your desired consistency.
10. Step 10: Dip the muffin tops into the glaze or spoon it over them. Allow the glaze to set before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra moist muffins, substitute half the vegetable oil with melted butter.
• Add ½ cup of chopped nuts or dried cranberries to the batter for added texture and flavor.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, use regular milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar, let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
• Use sanding sugar or coarse sugar on top for a sparkling finish that adds crunch.

Storage

Store cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze muffins in a sealed bag for up to 2 months and thaw at room temperature. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use orange extract instead of fresh orange juice and zest?

While fresh orange zest and juice provide vibrant natural flavor, you can substitute with 1 teaspoon of orange extract if needed. Reduce the added liquid slightly when using extract.

Why do I need to rest the batter before baking?

Allowing the batter to rest helps hydrate the flour and improves the muffin texture, resulting in a tender crumb and better rise.

Orange Muffins with Orange Glaze Recipe

---

★★★★★

4.7 from 85 reviews

• Author: lina
• Total Time: 38 minutes
• Yield: 12 muffins 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

Pin Recipe

Print Recipe

Description

These bakery-style Orange Muffins are bursting with fresh citrus flavor, featuring a tender crumb packed with orange zest and juice. The muffins have a delightful domed top achieved by baking every other well in a muffin pan at high heat initially, then lowering the temperature for a perfect bake. Finished with a sweet and tangy orange glaze, these muffins offer a moist, flavorful breakfast or snack treat.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 3 cups (360g) all purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups (297g) granulated sugar
• 3 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ½ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup (177ml) buttermilk
• ½ cup (118ml) vegetable oil
• Zest of 3 oranges (3–5 Tbsp)
• ¼ cup (59ml) fresh squeezed orange juice

Orange Glaze

• 1 ⅓ cup (151g) powdered sugar
• 3 Tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice (add more as needed for desired consistency)

---

Instructions

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, stir together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed. Set aside.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a larger bowl, whisk the eggs, buttermilk, vegetable oil, orange zest, and fresh orange juice together with a spatula for about 30 seconds to combine thoroughly.
3. Combine Batter: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring by hand just until the batter is combined. The batter will be very thick, so avoid overmixing to keep the muffins tender.
4. Rest Batter and Preheat Oven: Cover the bowl with a towel and let the batter rest for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 425ºF (220ºC).
5. Prepare Muffin Pan: Line a 12-cup muffin pan with liners, but only fill every other cup—this technique allows the muffins to spread and develop domed tops without touching one another.
6. Fill Muffin Liners: Fill each liner to the top with batter. It may seem like a lot of batter for only six muffins, but divide it evenly and fill them fully. Smooth the tops with a butter knife if needed.
7. Optional Sugar Topping: Sprinkle sanding sugar on top of the batter for extra sparkle and crunch if desired.
8. Bake Muffins: Bake at 425ºF for 7 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 350ºF (175ºC) without removing the muffins. Continue baking for an additional 13-16 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let muffins cool in the pan.
9. Bake Remaining Batter: Repeat the process with the remaining batter, preheating the oven back to 425ºF before starting.
10. Make Orange Glaze: In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar and orange juice until smooth. Adjust with more juice to reach your preferred glaze consistency.
11. Glaze Muffins: Dip the cooled muffin tops into the glaze or spoon it over them for a glossy, citrusy finish.

Notes

• Filling every other muffin cup helps create beautifully domed tops that look bakery-style.
• Do not overmix the batter to preserve a tender crumb.
• The initial high temperature baking helps the muffins rise quickly before finishing at a lower temperature to cook through.
• Use fresh orange juice and zest for the best vibrant citrus flavor.
• The glaze can be thinned or thickened to preference by adjusting orange juice quantity.
• Leftover muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 23 minutes
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: orange muffins, citrus muffins, bakery style muffins, homemade muffins, orange glaze, breakfast muffins