Mandarin Orange Muffins Recipe

Introduction

Mandarin Orange Muffins are a delightful treat combining zesty citrus flavor with warm spices. These moist, tender muffins make a perfect breakfast or snack, bursting with fresh mandarin orange pieces and a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Ingredients

• 195 grams All-Purpose Flour
• 100 grams Granulated Sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
• 1 cup Mandarin Orange (peeled, segmented, and chopped)
• 1 Egg
• 3/4 cup Buttermilk
• 75 grams Butter
• 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar (for topping)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Clean and rinse the mandarin oranges thoroughly. Grate enough orange rind to equal 1/2 cup. Peel the mandarins, removing all pith and seeds, and chop the segments into small pieces.
2. Step 2: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and position the oven rack in the center.
3. Step 3: Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners and set aside.
4. Step 4: In a bowl, beat together the egg, buttermilk, and melted butter until combined.
5. Step 5: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt.
6. Step 6: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold together with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep muffins tender.
7. Step 7: Fold in the chopped mandarin orange pieces evenly throughout the batter.
8. Step 8: Use an ice-cream scoop or spoon to fill each muffin cup about three-quarters full with batter.
9. Step 9: Sprinkle the tops with granulated sugar and garnish lightly with the grated orange rind.
10. Step 10: Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
11. Step 11: Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes.
12. Step 12: Transfer the muffins to a wire cooling rack to cool completely before serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra citrus flavor, add a teaspoon of orange zest to the batter.
• Substitute buttermilk with plain yogurt or milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice.
• Try adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for a crunchy texture.
• Use fresh or canned mandarin oranges, but drain canned ones well to avoid excess moisture.

Storage

Store cooled muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To keep longer, freeze the muffins in a sealed bag or container for up to 2 months. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven before serving for a fresh-baked taste.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

Yes, you can substitute buttermilk with regular milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to mimic the acidity of buttermilk, which helps the muffins rise and adds tenderness.

How do I prevent the muffins from becoming soggy with the mandarin pieces?

Make sure to drain any excess juice from the mandarin segments before folding them into the batter. Gently patting them dry or chopping slightly reduces moisture and keeps muffins from turning soggy.

Mandarin Orange Muffins Recipe

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★★★★★

4.4 from 127 reviews

• Author: Ben
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 12 muffins 1x

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Description

Delight in these moist and flavorful Mandarin Orange Muffins, bursting with fresh citrus segments and a hint of warming spices. Perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert, these easy-to-make muffins combine tangy mandarin oranges with a tender crumb enriched by buttermilk and butter, sprinkled with sugar for a delightful crunch on top.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Dry Ingredients

• 195 grams All-Purpose Flour
• 100 grams Granulated Sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons Baking Powder
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg

Wet Ingredients

• 1 cup Mandarin Oranges (peeled, segmented, seeds removed, diced)
• 1 Egg
• 3/4 cup Buttermilk
• 75 grams Butter (melted)

Topping

• 2 tablespoons Granulated Sugar
• 1/2 cup Mandarin Orange rind (grated)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the Mandarin Orange: Thoroughly clean and rinse the mandarin oranges. Using a vegetable shredder, grate the rind to yield about 1/2 cup. Peel the oranges, removing skin, pith, and seeds, and cut the segments into small pieces.
2. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 180°C (350°F) and position the oven rack in the center for even baking.
3. Prepare Muffin Pan: Line a 12-cup muffin pan with liners and set aside.
4. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a bowl, beat together the egg, buttermilk, and melted butter until combined.
5. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.
6. Combine Ingredients: Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, gently stirring with a spatula just until combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender texture.
7. Fold in Oranges: Carefully fold in the diced mandarin orange pieces, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
8. Fill Muffin Cups: Using an ice cream scoop or spoon, fill each muffin cup about three-quarters full with batter.
9. Add Topping: Sprinkle the tops with granulated sugar and garnish with the grated orange rind for extra flavor and a slight crunch.
10. Bake Muffins: Place the muffin pan in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
11. Cool Muffins: Remove the muffins from the oven and let them cool in the pan for 5 to 10 minutes.
12. Transfer to Rack: Carefully transfer the muffins to a wire cooling rack to cool completely.
13. Storage: Store muffins at room temperature for a few days or freeze them for longer storage. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

• Be careful not to overmix the muffin batter to keep the muffins light and fluffy.
• Grated orange rind adds aromatic citrus flavor and texture; don’t skip it.
• Using fresh mandarin oranges is preferred for the best flavor, but canned mandarin segments can be used if drained properly.
• These muffins freeze well; wrap them tightly before freezing and thaw at room temperature before serving.
• For a dairy-free version, substitute buttermilk with a mixture of plant-based milk and lemon juice, and use vegan butter.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Baking
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: mandarin orange muffins, citrus muffins, breakfast muffins, easy muffin recipe, spiced muffins