Cara Cara Orange Muffins Recipe

I gotta say, I was in my kitchen feeling pretty adventurous when I mixed together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and fresh Cara Cara orange juice with the zest of two oranges, and these muffins turned out to be a fun, flavor-packed twist that made my morning feel extra special.

I love making these Cara Cara Orange Muffins cause i think the mix of all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt work perfectly with fresh Cara Cara orange juice, zest, whole milk, egg, melted unsalted butter and vanilla extract to create a balanced, vitamin C rich treat.

Ingredients

• All-purpose flour supply carbohydrates that give structure and a soft texture.
• Granulated sugar adds sweetness and improves browning, even though sometimes its too much.
• Cara Cara orange juice deliver a tangy burst of citrus with vitamins and acidity.
• Cara Cara orange zest infuse intense citrus aroma and flavor without extra liquid.
• Whole milk provides moisture, creaminess, and some protein for tender, tasty muffins.
• Unsalted butter adds rich, creamy flavor and contributes fat for a moist crumb.
• Egg binds ingredients together, adds protein, and help with proper rising.
• Baking powder makes muffins rise and become light and airy in texture.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup freshly squeezed Cara Cara orange juice (from about 2 oranges)
• Zest of 2 Cara Cara oranges
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Optional: coarse sugar for sprinkling on top

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a muffin tin or line it with paper muffin cups.

2. In a large bowl, mix together 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1/4 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.

3. In another bowl, combine 1/3 cup fresh Cara Cara orange juice, the zest of 2 Cara Cara oranges, 1/2 cup whole milk, 1 lightly beaten egg, 1/4 cup melted unsalted butter, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

4. Pour the wet mix into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined, be careful not to overmix it.

5. Spoon the batter into your prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about two-thirds full.

6. If you like a bit of crunch, sprinkle a little coarse sugar on top of each muffin.

7. Place the muffin tin in the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

8. Once done, let the muffins cool in the tin for about 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

9. Enjoy your Cara Cara Orange Muffins warm or at room temperature.

10. If you have any leftovers, put them in an airtight container to keep them fresh.

Equipment Needed

1. Preheated oven (set to 375°F)
2. Muffin tin or paper muffin cups
3. Large bowl for combining dry ingredients
4. Medium bowl for mixing wet ingredients
5. Measuring cups and spoons
6. Citrus juicer for extracting fresh Cara Cara orange juice
7. Citrus zester for the orange zest
8. Whisk or fork for lightly beating the egg
9. Rubber spatula for stirring and folding the batter
10. Microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan for melting butter
11. Toothpick for testing the muffins’ doneness
12. Wire rack for cooling the muffins
13. Airtight container for storing leftovers

FAQ

• Q: Can i make these muffins dairy-free?
  A: Yup, try using almond milk or another non-dairy milk instead of whole milk for a dairy-free version.
• Q: Can i substitute Cara Cara oranges for regular oranges?
  A: Sure thing, but the flavor might be a bit different since Cara Cara oranges are sweeter and less acidic.
• Q: Do i have to zest the oranges before juicing them?
  A: Yes, its best to zest the oranges first to get that extra zesty flavor throughout the muffins.
• Q: Can i add extras like blueberries or nuts?
  A: Yes, you can mix in blueberries or chopped nuts if you’re looking to add a fun twist to the recipe.
• Q: How long do these muffins stay fresh?
  A: They stay fresh for about 2 days at room temperature in an airtight container and can be frozen for longer storage.

Cara Cara Orange Muffins Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• All-purpose flour: You can try whole wheat flour instead if you’re out, but it might make the muffins a bit denser.
• Granulated sugar: Brown sugar can work as a replacement. it will add a richer flavor but might also change the texture slightly.
• Cara Cara orange juice: If you cant track down Cara Cara oranges, any fresh orange juice will do the job pretty well.
• Whole milk: Almond milk or soy milk are good alternatives when you want a dairy free version, just keep in mind it may alter the taste a bit.
• Unsalted butter: Melted coconut oil or margarine are decent substitutes if you don’t have butter on hand.

Pro Tips

1. Dont overmix the batter – stir just until you dont see any dry spots. Overworking it can make your muffins tough instead of nice and fluffy.
2. Make sure your wet ingredients like the milk, egg, and melted butter are around room temperature. This helps them combine better with the dry stuff without any weird clumps.
3. Preheat your oven properly at 375°F and check your muffins a few minutes before the timer goes off. Ovens can run hot or cold, so poking a toothpick in early can save you from overbaking.
4. Let the muffins chill in the tin for about 5 minutes after baking then move em to a wire rack. This cool down step makes sure the muffins stay moist and dont fall apart when you take them out.