Description
Delectable orange and cardamom muffins deliver Mediterranean warmth with zesty citrus notes and fragrant spice. Crumbly, moist textures invite home bakers to savor each delightful bite of this comforting Mediterranean-inspired treat.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (475 ml/16 fl oz) all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup (150 g/5.3 oz) granulated sugar
- 2 whole eggs
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 large orange, zested
- ½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) vegetable oil
- ½ cup (120 ml/4 fl oz) milk
- ¼ cup (60 ml/2 fl oz) orange juice
- 2 tsps baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 3 tbsps sparkling sugar (or regular sugar)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with paper liners or lightly grease with butter.
- Wet Ingredients Fusion: Whisk together sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, milk, orange juice, orange zest, and cardamom in a large mixing bowl until completely smooth and well-incorporated.
- Dry Ingredients Blend: Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a separate bowl, ensuring even distribution of leavening agents and eliminating potential flour clumps.
- Batter Creation: Gently fold wet and dry ingredients together, stirring minimally to prevent overmixing, until a consistent batter forms with no visible flour streaks.
- Baking Process: Carefully fill muffin cavities about three-quarters full, sprinkle with decorative sugar, and place in the preheated oven for 20-22 minutes until golden and risen.
- Final Check and Cooling: Test muffins with a toothpick for doneness, remove from oven, let rest in tin for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
Notes
- Zest with Care: Gently remove orange zest using a microplane or fine grater to avoid bitter white pith underneath.
- Prevent Tough Texture: Mix wet and dry ingredients minimally to keep muffins tender and prevent gluten development.
- Sugar Sprinkle Technique: Coarse or sparkling sugar adds delightful crunch and creates a beautiful crispy top layer.
- Storage Secret: Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, or freeze for up to 2 weeks for lasting freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-22 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 208
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 37 mg