Ingredients
For the muffins
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- Zest of 1 large orange
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the orange glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon orange zest for extra zestiness
Equipment and Utensils
- Oven
- Mini muffin tins (2)
- Mini muffin liners
- Large mixing bowl
- Medium mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Rubber spatula
- Toothpick or cake tester
- Small saucepan
- Cooling rack
Instructions
1. Make the muffins
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line your mini muffin tins with paper liners.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, poppy seeds, and orange zest.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Combine batter: Add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix gently with a rubber spatula until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Fill muffin tins: Fill each muffin cup about two-thirds full.
- Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
2. Make the glaze
- Whisk ingredients: In a small saucepan, whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, and vanilla extract. Start with 3 tablespoons of juice and add the 4th if needed for desired consistency.
- Heat (optional): For a smoother, more pourable glaze, heat the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves.
- Cool slightly: Let the glaze cool for a few minutes to thicken slightly before using.
3. Glaze the muffins
- Coat muffins: Dip the top of each cooled muffin into the glaze, or drizzle the glaze over the muffins using a spoon. If desired, sprinkle with extra orange zest.
- Set the glaze: Place glazed muffins on a wire rack to allow the glaze to set.
Tips
Fresh citrus: Using fresh orange juice and zest gives the best flavor.
Avoid overmixing: Overmixing can make the muffins tough.
Room temperature ingredients: Using room temperature ingredients helps with better batter consistency.
Adjust glaze consistency: Play around with the amount of orange juice to achieve your desired glaze thickness.
