Oranges, they are such a joy to behold. It’s like sunshine packaged in a fruit. I love oranges in any form, though I am a bit partial to the easy-peel, sweet varieties. I love how Boy gets orange breath after eating sweet clementines for a snack. Or how they make my fingers smell when I peel them for him.
I love baking with oranges too. I love using them in a sponge cake and then soaking the cake in a light syrupy glaze. When I have extra time, I also love using them in this pound cake recipe. It’s richer and heavier, but oh-so worth it. I’ve made both these cakes again and again and have had many of my readers try them too with excellent results. So do try them, if you are looking for a lovely orange cake recipe.
If you do not have the time or inclination to bake a large cake, the quickest way to use oranges in baking would be to bake muffins. Muffins are a one-bowl deal and these orange muffins are “da-bomb”. Use orange varieties currently in season, though I would advise you to use something sweet like Valencia oranges or clementines, if available.
We have freshly squeezed orange juice and fresh orange zest mixed in the light and airy muffin batter. It is so delicious, I cannot even begin to describe it.
I based the following recipe on Damn Delicious blog’s recipe for sour cream orange muffins. But I felt the original recipe needed some lightening up. So I decided to replace the sour cream with low-fat Greek yogurt and the butter with oil.
Usually, I do such substitutions because I may not have all the ingredients on hand. But this time, I had everything in my pantry, including sour cream. Still, I felt sour cream was too heavy for muffins. And you know what, everything worked out for the best and I baked the most amazing orange muffins.
These muffins are good as such, but a light orange glaze on top will make them even more delicious.
FRESH ORANGE MUFFINS {WITH A ZESTY ORANGE GLAZE}
You will need:
For Fresh Orange Muffins,
- All-purpose flour – 1 3/4 cups
- Sugar – 2/3 cup
- Baking powder – 1 tbsp
- Salt – 1/2 tsp
- Oil – 1/2 cup (or melted butter)
- Greek yogurt – 1 cup (or use regular thick yogurt or even sour cream)
- Egg – 1, large
- Orange juice – 1/4 cup, freshly squeezed
- Orange zest – 1-2 tbsp (as much as you can get from the oranges you use)
For Zesty Orange Glaze,
- Powdered sugar – 1 1/2 cups
- Orange juice – 1/4 cup, freshly squeezed
- Orange zest – 1-2 tsp
How to:
- Fresh Orange Muffins: Pre-heat the oven to 400 deg.F and line a cupcake or muffin pan with liners. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, lightly whisk all the dry ingredients together.
- In a liquid measuring cup or bowl, mix the oil, yogurt, egg, orange juice and zest.
- Add this to the dry ingredients and mix together till just combined. Do not over-mix. Batter will be thick and spongy.
- Divide the batter equally between the 12 cupcake liners and gently tap the pan on the counter-top to settle the batter.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or till muffins pass the toothpick test. Remove from oven and cool in pan for 5 minutes. Remove muffins on to a wire rack and cool completely.
- Zesty Orange Glaze: In a bowl, whisk the glaze ingredients till sugar is completely dissolved and you get a thick, but pouring consistency. Adjust consistency to your liking by adding more sugar or orange juice.
- While muffins are still a bit warm. pour this glaze over them or dip the muffin tops into the glaze. Allow glaze to set fully before serving.
Being the big orange cake fans that we are, I think this simple orange muffins recipe just might be our new favorite.
Tell me, do you love baking with citrus fruits? Which is your favorite recipe? Do share.
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Kayre says
Can’t wait to try these. I have frozen Louisiana Satsumas in my freezer!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Do try it. I am sure you’ll love these muffins!
Theresa @ Shoestring Elegance says
Hi Anjana,
Popping over from What to do Weekends to let you know we have Featured your yummy looking Fresh Orange Muffins! Thanks so much for sharing it with us, it is pinned on the party board and you are welcome to pick up your Featured Button whenever you’d like!
Happy Valentine’s Weekend!
Theresa @ Shoestring Elegance
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you so much!
Laura Diaz says
These look so so good! I love anything orange, especially pastries 😉
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you, Laura!
Julia Olsen says
Gosh, it looks delicious! It’s a must try for me! Yum!
I’m cooking on youtube and I’ve just uploaded a recipe for homemade falafels, hope you will check it out! Thank you! 🙂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anFe4nYoX9s
Thank you for an awesome recipe!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you.
megan says
These look delicious. And your pictures are beautiful.
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you, Megan!
deelightfullyveg says
Love it!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you so much!
foodfashionparty says
Anjana, muffins are always the answer for a great pick me up dessert. These look really good. Perfect. Thanks for stopping by my blog. xo
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Absolutely! Thanks for visiting. I came across your Insta feed and have been hooked since!
thebrookcook says
I love substituting Greek yogurt for sour cream- perfect & lighter! These sound AMAZING with the brightness from the orange..mmmmm 🙂
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you. The Greek yogurt adds a lovely touch here!
Stacey @ Sweet Little Sparrow says
These look so yummy! Can’t wait to try them!!
<3 ~ Stacey @ sweetlittlesparrow.com
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Than you, Stacey. I hope you do try them!
varinaj says
Anjana, am just so constantly blown away by your photos. When can you come teach me how to do this!?!?
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you so much, that’s very sweet of you! You can ask me anything, though I do not have any special tricks and just do it for fun!!
Aruna Panangipally says
These muffins look simply divine.
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you, Aruna. They were delicious!
Aruna Panangipally says
I love the Orangy taste. Currently eating 2 oranges a day. 🙂
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
I have a couple of oranges peeled as I sit down to answer to the comments! Love them so much this time of year!!
Deena Kakaya says
Lovely way of combining the sweet and citrus, that glaze looks so lovely x
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you, Deena!
Sandhya says
Anjana,
These look absolutely delectable. I wish I had some of those on a snowy day like today…with some tea! Absolutley love the photos too!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you, Sandhya. I made them last week on a rainy day and I totally agree, they are divine with a cup of coffee 🙂
nusrat2010 says
Orange makes everything beautiful and delightful. A heart-pleasing muffin recipe indeed with lovely warm pictures. Add a little fresh dessicated coconut and see the end result.
Happy new year.
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you, dear Nusrat. Desiccated coconut and citrus sounds heavenly! Happy New Year to you too 🙂
simplyvegetarian777 says
And very very very cute clicks
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thanks dear 🙂
As you can see, I went click-crazy and had so much fun!
simplyvegetarian777 says
I bet 😉
simplyvegetarian777 says
Wow! The recipe is filled with good flavors Anjana!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you, Sonal!
coconutcraze says
Orange can work charms in a muffin with it refreshing taste and smell! Love these muffins!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you, Sreedevi!
Jess says
Yum Anjana- I love everything about these muffins including the substitution of Greek yogurt for sour cream. I can almost taste these… 🙂
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you, Jess! I love baking with Greek yogurt and it is a better sub for sour cream.
DesignsbyJeanneR says
I agree, oranges are pure sunshine! These muffins are just what I need!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Aren’t they?! Go ahead and bake some!
Ema Jones says
Muffin is the solution for ultimate snack craving. Which are your fav
muffins BTW?
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Right now, this is my fave! But I am partial to this one too – https://happyandharried.wordpress.com/2014/06/23/easy-chocolate-muffins-baking-with-kids-and-a-new-venture/
Ema Jones says
Cute kid 🙂
I feel like grabbing all the muffins…
Namrata says
Love citrus in desserts! and a sweet orangey glaze is literally the best icing on the cake 🙂
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you, Namrata!