Lemon Orange Honey Muffins (Print)
Citrusy honey-sweetened muffins topped with fragrant thyme crumble, ideal for breakfast or an afternoon snack.
# What You Need:
→ Muffin Batter
01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/2 cup honey
06 - 1/3 cup vegetable oil
07 - 2 large eggs
08 - 1/2 cup plain yogurt
09 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
10 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
11 - Zest of 1 orange
12 - Zest of 1 lemon
13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
→ Thyme Crumble Topping
14 - 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
15 - 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
16 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cubed
17 - 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried)
18 - Pinch of salt
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners or lightly grease each cup.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk the honey, vegetable oil, eggs, yogurt, orange juice, lemon juice, orange zest, lemon zest, and vanilla extract until smooth and well incorporated.
04 - Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the muffins tender.
05 - Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
06 - In a small bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, thyme leaves, and a pinch of salt. Add the cold cubed butter and use your fingertips or a fork to work it in until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
07 - Sprinkle the thyme crumble evenly over each portioned muffin batter.
08 - Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean and the tops are golden.
09 - Let the muffins cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The honey sweetens without overpowering the citrus, so every bite tastes like morning sunlight.
- The thyme crumble gives a savory crunch that makes people ask what your secret is.
02 -
- Overmixing the batter produces dense rubbery muffins so stop folding the second the flour disappears.
- Cold butter in the crumble is nonnegotiable because warm butter melts into a paste instead of creating those beautiful crunchy clusters.
03 -
- Zest your citrus directly into the wet bowl so the volatile oils do not evaporate off the cutting board.
- Greek yogurt makes a noticeably richer muffin but add a tablespoon of milk if the batter feels too thick.