Orange and Cardamom Muffins Recipe

Introduction

These Orange and Cardamom Muffins combine bright citrus flavors with the warm, fragrant spice of cardamom for a delightful breakfast or snack treat. Light, moist, and subtly sweet, they’re easy to make and perfect for anytime you want a cozy, flavorful muffin.

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• Zest of 1 large orange, finely grated
• 1 tsp ground cardamom (use 1 1/2 teaspoons for a more pronounced cardamom flavor)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp sparkling sugar (or regular sugar)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a muffin tin or line it with muffin liners.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, milk, orange juice, and orange zest until well combined.
3. Step 3: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cardamom, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
4. Step 4: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and gently fold together until just combined—avoid overmixing to keep muffins tender.
5. Step 5: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about three-quarters full. Sprinkle sparkling sugar on top of each muffin for a sweet, crunchy finish.
6. Step 6: Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until the muffins have risen and golden edges appear. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center—if it comes out clean, they are ready.
7. Step 7: Allow the muffins to cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Tips & Variations

• For a more intense cardamom flavor, increase the ground cardamom to 1 1/2 teaspoons.
• Try adding 1/2 cup chopped nuts or dried cranberries for extra texture and flavor.
• If you prefer a dairy-free option, substitute the milk with almond or oat milk.
• Use lemon zest instead of orange for a different citrus twist.

Storage

Store muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze them individually wrapped for up to 2 months. To reheat, warm in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10-15 minutes or microwave for 20-30 seconds until heated through.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh cardamom pods instead of ground cardamom?

Yes, you can grind fresh cardamom pods with a mortar and pestle or spice grinder for a fresher flavor, but use the same quantity as ground cardamom.

Can I substitute orange juice with another juice?

Orange juice adds a bright citrus note, but you can substitute with lemon or grapefruit juice for a different flavor profile. Avoid sweetened juices to keep balance in the recipe.

Orange and Cardamom Muffins Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 107 reviews

Delightful Orange and Cardamom Muffins that combine the zesty brightness of orange with the warm, aromatic spice of cardamom. These moist, flavorful muffins make a perfect breakfast treat or an afternoon snack, featuring a lightly crisp top sprinkled with sparkling sugar.

• Author: Rico
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20-22 minutes
• Total Time: 30-32 minutes
• Yield: 12 muffins 1x
• Category: Breakfast, Snack
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Wet Ingredients

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• Zest of 1 large orange, finely grated

Dry Ingredients

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cardamom (use 1 1/2 teaspoons for a more pronounced cardamom flavor)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

Topping

• 3 tbsp sparkling sugar (or regular sugar)

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Tin: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a muffin tin or line it with muffin liners to prevent sticking.
2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, milk, orange juice, and finely grated orange zest until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
3. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, ground cardamom, baking powder, baking soda, and salt evenly.
4. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Gently fold the batter together using a spatula until just combined with no dry flour visible, being careful not to overmix to keep muffins tender.
5. Fill Muffin Tin and Add Topping: Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared muffin tin compartments. Sprinkle the tops with sparkling sugar for a subtle crunch and sparkle.
6. Bake the Muffins: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 22 minutes or until the muffins have risen, edges are golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean without wet batter.
7. Cool and Serve: Remove muffins from the oven and let cool in the tin for 5 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely or serve warm for best flavor.

Notes

• For a stronger cardamom flavor, increase the cardamom to 1 1/2 teaspoons as noted.
• Using sparkling sugar adds a pretty, crunchy topping, but regular sugar works if unavailable.
• Ensure not to overmix the batter to keep muffins light and tender.
• These muffins can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
• Enjoy warm with butter or plain as a delightful snack.

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