One Bowl Glazed Orange and Poppy Seed Muffins

Exploding with citrus flavor, these Glazed Orange and Poppy Seed Muffins are super moist sweet treats with a nutty crunch from poppy seeds. They are bright and cheery and topped with a sugary orange glaze and tart orange zest. They are perfect for breakfast, a mid morning snack, an after school treat, or a late night nibble.

While growing up, my mom always had a sweet treat on our kitchen counter.  Whether it was Great Aunt Rose’s pound cake, apple pie bars, or sour cream blueberry coffee cake, you could always count on a homemade baked good in our kitchen. 

I have continued this baking tradition in my home. Stop by my kitchen and there is rarely a time when I don’t have a muffin, cookie or brownie waiting to be enjoyed with a steaming cup of coffee or icy cold glass of milk.  A favorite sweet treat is the super moist Glazed Orange and Poppy Seed Muffins.

I love making fruit desserts. But, during the winter months the selection of fresh fruits can be lackluster and tasteless.  Even though strawberries are bright red and blueberries are plump, they can be surprisingly void of their summertime sweetness.  One group of fruits that does not disappoint during the months leading up to spring is citrus fruit.  Oranges, grapefruits, limes and lemons are at their peak of flavor during December, January and February.

the ingredients for orange and poppy seed muffins

• all purpose flour
• baking soda
• kosher salt
• granulated sugar
• egg
• oil (canola, vegetable or coconut)
• almond extract
• vanilla extract
• orange
• poppy seeds
• whole milk
• orange juice

how to pick the best citrus fruit at the market

When shopping for citrus fruits, choose ones that are heavy for their size and have a pleasant citrusy fragrance. Fruits with smoother skin will be extra juicy.  Thick skinned citrus fruits are best for zesting. Shy away from fruits that are squishy or have brown spots or blemishes. 

Store the brightly colored fruit for up to a week at room temperature.  If kept longer, the refrigerator is best spot for them.

Glazed Orange and Poppy Seed Muffins are a snap to make

• These moist poppy seed muffins are super easy to make as all the ingredients are mixed in one bowl.
• They batter gets an extra zing from the addition of both orange juice and zest. 
• A glaze made from orange juice, sugar, and almond and vanilla extracts add a sweet crunch. It fills in the nooks and crannies on top of the muffins. 
• Easily double the recipe to yield 2 dozen muffins. They are ideal for a mid morning snack or to gift to a neighbor.
• The muffins are super moist and dense. But they are not heavy. They are the perfect sweet treat.

my cooking videos ~ blueberry bread pudding pancakes

Glazed Orange Poppy Seed Muffins are perfect for serving for brunch with friends or stashing in the freezer to enjoy with a cup of coffee while dreaming of warmer weather ahead. Also, if you make these tasty muffins, I love hearing from you all. Be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating ~ I do my best to reply to all your comments. And snap a photo to post to Instagram. I'll add the photos to my Insta stories as I love seeing all your creations.

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