Orange Muffins

I love anything with citrus in it- and these Orange Muffins are probably some of the best muffins I’ve ever had. Dense cake with a light and refreshing flavor, topped with a glaze that drips through the muffin. These are perfect for breakfast, or an afternoon snack that everybody loves. 

There’s this little restaurant my husband and I go to in Laguna Beach called The Orange Inn. The people are lovely, the location is right next to the beach, and their breakfast is our favorite. I usually get a ham and cheese croissant with a smoothie, and my husband gets the most delicious orange muffin you have ever had. I usually end up having bites of his muffin, and he usually ends up having half of my croissant. I don’t know why, it’s just our Laguna Beach ritual. Anyways- that’s my inspiration for this recipe. I won’t say I nailed it because there is something magical about Laguna Beach and everything tastes better there, but I will say- I got darn close. 

To start making this recipe, you’ll need fresh oranges. These really make the difference in flavor so don’t skimp! Preheat the oven to 350 degrees, mix the batter, and evenly distribute between 12 muffins in liners within a muffin tin. Bake them until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, or about 15 minutes.

Ingredients needed to make Orange Muffins:

• Flour
• Baking Soda
• Salt
• Butter
• Egg
• Greek Yogurt
• Orange Juice
• Orange Zest

While the muffins are baking, we’ll make orange glaze to top the muffins with. I find this glaze is what really sets apart this recipe- a combination of powdered sugar, orange zest and freshly squeeze orange juice mix together for a refreshing, citrus topping that via a few holes poked, will drip through to the muffin.

Orange Glaze Ingredients:

• Fresh squeezed orange juice
• Orange Zest
• Powdered Sugar

Once the muffins are out of the oven, allow them to cool for about 10 minutes. Gently poke a few holes, about 3-4 each. The muffins can still be mostly warm for the next step.

Spoon the glaze on top of the muffin. Give it a minute or two and it will gently sink into the holes you poked. This is the best part, pockets of delicious, glaze! yum!

If you’re bringing these to a brunch or a party, you can garnish them with an orange slice- even a candied orange slice or an orange zest ribbon would be cute, too.

Do you love muffins? Here’s a few more recipes we think you will like!

• Orange Brownie Bars
• Blueberry Muffins
• Peach Cobbler Muffins
• English Muffin Bread 
• Glazed Jelly Donut Muffins

I hope you enjoy these delicious, orange flavored citrus muffins as much as I do. If you get the chance, I really encourage a trip to Laguna Beach to try the real thing…but if not, these will do just great, too (beach view not included :). 

Orange Muffins

A delicious, dense muffin wiht a citrus glaze.

5 from 6 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cooling Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 muffins

Author: Kathi & Rachel

Ingredients

Muffin Batter

• 1 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup melted butter (equivalent to 1 stick) (Omit salt if using salted butter)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup greek yogurt (or sour cream)
• 2 tbsp orange zest

Orange Glaze

• 2 tbsp orange zest
• 1.5 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tbsp orange juice

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees fahrenheit. Line a muffin tin with muffin liners. Spray with nonstick spray.
• In a medium sized mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients in bowl and whisk (flour, baking soda, salt, & sugar) until combined. Add wet ingredients. Whisk to combine, batter will be thick (hand/stand mixer is recommended).
• Evenly divide batter into muffin liners. Bake for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into center of muffin comes out clean.
• While muffins are baking, combine glaze ingredients in a small bowl. Stir well with a fork to combine ensuring lumps are eliminated. Set aside.
• Once muffins are removed from oven, allow to sit for 10 minutes, then poke 3-4 holes with a toothpick. Spoon about 1-2 tsp of glaze over each muffin. Serve & enjoy!