Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice Muffins-Springtime in a Muffin!

It seems that as we draw closer to the end of February the pull towards all things Spring is inevitable.  We've bundled up and enjoyed our Autumn breezes,  we've celebrated with our family and loved ones for the holidays, looked, longingly, at our fireplaces, and snuggled with a good book or old movie, now we look to the promise of Spring.

Spring begins in just a few weeks.  Yep, March 20th, by my calendar, here, in the United States. Unfortunately, I do realize that many of you on the East Coast and in other parts of the world are still looking at lots of cold days to come this year.  Whilst others are in the '90s. Goodness!

No matter, I have the perfect, refreshing, welcoming Spring, cheer up your Winter, or refresh your Summer recipe right here!   I have seen versions of this recipe in Allrecipes, Bon Appetit, and other periodicals. The funny thing is, everyone had their own tips, twist and tricks to it, so it never reads exactly the same. I, actually, really love that.

I am no exception.  I made changes to it, as well.  

I think you will find this one of those recipes that you will make over and over again and your family will be asking you for your recipe or to make them some! (At Least, that's what happened to me! More so, too, I think, than anything else I've made) I can't argue with them, because I just LOVE them, too! It seems I'm making them at least every couple of times a week. Okay enough prelude, here it is….. This is that recipe, “The Fresh Squeezed Orange Muffin” (Isn't it beautiful?!)

It actually tastes even better than it looks! Okay, so you ask, what's the recipe?! I'm going to give you my version and suggest some of the options others have used. It's all about making it your own and using what's available to you. They still will turn out phenomenal, even with alterations!

This recipe will make you one wonderful pan of 12.  I can almost guarantee you will be making them again, and probably very soon after your first batch. Isn’t that wonderful?!

Make sure you give them some good pokes! You sure want to make sure they soak up all the fresh juice glaze you can get into them!

Then, just look at what you end up with!! Don't worry, no way these will be around long enough for you to be concerned that there is just too many for you! I really should be calling these “Vanishing Muffins of Sunshine”!

This is what your Orange Juice, pulp, and zest should look like for your glaze. In no way thin or see-through. No straining out the best ingredients of all!

You have all been wonderfully patient with me, and I appreciate it,  here's the recipe.  I, do hope you enjoy them.

Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice Muffins

What you will need:

Dry Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar  (save 1/3 cup aside for your glaze)
1-1/2 Tbsp Baking Powder
1/3 tsp salt
Wet Ingredients:
1 cube or 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (others use oil, I prefer butter)

Now here is where you have some choices

My favorite & what I use, now, is:
1 container of honey or blood orange yogurt
2 Tbsp of sour cream.
(others have used 1 full cup of sour cream or 1 full cup of Greek yogurt plain)
The first time I made it, I didn't have any of the above ingredients and I used 2 Tbsp of cream cheese, filling the rest of the cup with buttermilk, It was wonderful!)
1-1/2 Large eggs, (if you've never done this, simply whisk your first egg and add it to wet mixture, do the same with the 2nd, only pour half of it out and use the rest, 2 really is too much and I didn't find 1 to be enough!
2 oranges, juice, pulp, and zest, added to the wet mixture

Directions: 
Preheat your oven to 400F.
Combine dry ingredients and use a whisk to combine and aerate the flour mixture.
Set aside.
Combine your Orange juice, pulp, and zest, with your melted (and cooled)butter, eggs, with yogurt and sour cream preference.  
Pour over your dry ingredients and, with a spatula,  fold together until just combined. do not overwork your muffin batter.
Butter or line your 12 muffin tins and divide the dough into all 12 tins. Don't worry they grow.
Bake @ 400 until toothpick comes out clean, approximately 13-16 minutes. depending on your oven.
Remove and place the tin on a wire rack and lay a warm, clean towel over them for 5-10 mins. (the towel prevents any cave-ins!)
While your muffins are cooling, some, you're ready to make your glaze!
Glaze
In a saucepan, combine the juice, pulp, and zest from 2 oranges, med sized, or 2 tangerines if you like.
Add your remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar, and,  
2/3 cup of powdered sugar on medium heat until you get a nice glaze consistency, about 5-7 minutes on medium heat.

Set aside, briefly.

Now, with a toothpick, poke the tops of your warm muffins about 4-5 times each and then spoon your orange glaze over them. The little holes will allow some of the yummy goodness to soak into the muffin.

Cool and Enjoy! If you can't wait for them to be completely cool, just enjoy!

Recipe adaptation  by Theresa L. Begin

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