Cinnamon Streusel Orange Muffins: A Burst of Citrus and Spice

Italian Chef Team

3 months ago

Cinnamon Streusel Orange Muffins: A Burst of Citrus and Spice

These Cinnamon Streusel Orange Muffins are a delightful treat, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack any time of day. The combination of bright citrusy orange and warm, comforting cinnamon creates a flavor profile that’s both refreshing and cozy. The crumbly streusel topping adds a wonderful textural contrast to the soft and tender muffin base. This recipe is easy to follow and yields a batch of muffins that are sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

## Why You’ll Love These Muffins

* **Flavorful:** The combination of orange and cinnamon is simply divine. The orange zest and juice provide a bright, citrusy note, while the cinnamon adds warmth and spice.
* **Textural Delight:** The soft, tender muffin base is perfectly complemented by the crunchy, crumbly streusel topping.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe is straightforward and doesn’t require any complicated techniques.
* **Perfect for Any Occasion:** These muffins are great for a quick breakfast, a brunch gathering, or a sweet treat to enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea.
* **Freezer-Friendly:** You can easily freeze these muffins for later enjoyment.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

### For the Muffins:

* 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
* 3/4 cup granulated sugar
* 1 tablespoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1 large egg
* 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar)
* 1/2 cup vegetable oil (or melted coconut oil)
* 1/4 cup orange juice, freshly squeezed
* 2 tablespoons orange zest, finely grated
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

### For the Streusel Topping:

* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

## Equipment You’ll Need

* 12-cup muffin tin
* Muffin liners (optional, but recommended)
* Two large mixing bowls
* Whisk
* Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
* Measuring cups and spoons
* Grater or zester for orange zest

## Step-by-Step Instructions

### 1. Prepare the Streusel Topping

In a medium-sized bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cold, cubed butter. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This is a crucial step for achieving that perfect crumbly streusel. Make sure the butter is cold; otherwise, it will melt and the streusel will become greasy. Set the streusel topping aside.

### 2. Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Tin

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease the tin well with cooking spray. Using liners makes it easier to remove the muffins and reduces cleanup, but greasing the tin directly works just as well.

### 3. Combine Dry Ingredients for the Muffins

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Make sure to whisk thoroughly to evenly distribute the baking powder and baking soda, which will help the muffins rise properly.

### 4. Combine Wet Ingredients for the Muffins

In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk, vegetable oil, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract. Ensure all wet ingredients are well combined for a smooth batter.

### 5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gently pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients. Use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter. Overmixing will develop the gluten in the flour, resulting in tough muffins. A few lumps are okay.

### 6. Fill the Muffin Cups

Fill each muffin cup about 2/3 full with the batter. An ice cream scoop or a large spoon works well for this. Leaving some space at the top allows the muffins to rise without overflowing.

### 7. Add the Streusel Topping

Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over the top of each muffin. Don’t be shy with the streusel – it adds so much flavor and texture!

### 8. Bake the Muffins

Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. The muffins should be golden brown on top and spring back lightly when touched. Baking time may vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them.

### 9. Cool the Muffins

Let the muffins cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents the muffins from sticking to the tin and allows them to cool evenly.

## Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Streusel Orange Muffins

* **Use Fresh Orange Zest and Juice:** Freshly squeezed orange juice and grated orange zest provide the best flavor. Avoid using bottled orange juice, as it often lacks the vibrant flavor of fresh juice.
* **Don’t Overmix the Batter:** Overmixing the batter can lead to tough muffins. Mix until just combined, and don’t worry about a few lumps.
* **Cold Butter for Streusel:** Using cold butter for the streusel topping is crucial for creating a crumbly texture. If the butter is too soft, the streusel will become greasy.
* **Measure Flour Accurately:** Use the spoon and level method to measure the flour. Spoon the flour into the measuring cup and then level it off with a knife. Avoid scooping the flour directly from the container, as this can pack the flour and result in too much flour in the recipe.
* **Buttermilk Substitute:** If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
* **Adjust Sugar to Taste:** If you prefer a less sweet muffin, you can reduce the amount of sugar slightly.
* **Add-ins:** Feel free to add other ingredients to the muffins, such as chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or chocolate chips.
* **Storage:** Store the muffins in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the muffins.

## Variations

* **Lemon Streusel Muffins:** Substitute lemon zest and juice for the orange zest and juice.
* **Blueberry Orange Muffins:** Add 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries to the batter.
* **Nutty Streusel Muffins:** Add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the streusel topping.
* **Chocolate Chip Orange Muffins:** Add 1/2 cup of chocolate chips to the batter.
* **Spice it Up:** Add a pinch of nutmeg or ground cloves to the batter for a warmer, spicier flavor.

## Serving Suggestions

* **Breakfast:** Enjoy these muffins with a cup of coffee or tea for a delicious and satisfying breakfast.
* **Brunch:** Serve these muffins at your next brunch gathering. They’re sure to be a hit!
* **Snack:** These muffins make a great afternoon snack. Pair them with a glass of milk or juice.
* **Dessert:** Serve these muffins as a simple dessert. You can even add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a special treat.

## Freezing Instructions

To freeze these muffins, allow them to cool completely. Wrap each muffin individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag or airtight container. Freeze for up to 2 months. To thaw, simply remove a muffin from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or warm it in the microwave for a few seconds.

## Recipe Card

**Cinnamon Streusel Orange Muffins**

A delightful treat with a burst of citrus and spice, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a snack.

**Prep Time:** 20 minutes
**Cook Time:** 20 minutes
**Total Time:** 40 minutes
**Yield:** 12 muffins

**Ingredients:**

**For the Muffins:**

**For the Streusel Topping:**

* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
* 1/4 cup granulated sugar
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

**Instructions:**

1. **Prepare the Streusel Topping:** In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
2. **Preheat Oven and Prepare Muffin Tin:** Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease well.
3. **Combine Dry Ingredients:** In a large bowl, whisk together flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon.
4. **Combine Wet Ingredients:** In a separate bowl, whisk together egg, buttermilk, vegetable oil, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract.
5. **Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:** Gently pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. **Fill Muffin Cups:** Fill each muffin cup about 2/3 full.
7. **Add Streusel Topping:** Sprinkle streusel topping generously over the top of each muffin.
8. **Bake:** Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
9. **Cool:** Let cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

## Nutrition Information (approximate, per muffin)

* Calories: 250-300
* Fat: 12-15g
* Saturated Fat: 5-7g
* Cholesterol: 30-40mg
* Sodium: 150-200mg
* Carbohydrates: 35-40g
* Sugar: 15-20g
* Protein: 3-4g

*Note: Nutritional information is approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients and serving sizes.*

Enjoy these delicious Cinnamon Streusel Orange Muffins! They’re a perfect way to start your day or satisfy your sweet tooth.

Tags: Recipes