Baking Great Bread at HomeA Late-Night Bake Worth Sharing
BeginnerMandarin HolidayMuffins
by Henry Hunter Jr.
Soft citrus muffins perfect for holiday gift-giving
Rise Time
1 hour 10 minutes
Bake Time
Varies
Yield
10 muffins
Perfection is not required
"Great bread isn't about perfect technique—it's about understanding the dough."— Henry Hunter Jr.
By Henry Hunter Jr., founder of Crust & Crumb Academy and Baking Great Bread at Home.
Authentic Bread Flavor
Soft mandarin orange muffins with craisins and walnuts, baked in tall tulip cups. These café-style muffins are perfect for holiday gift-giving.
Equipment Needed
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
Fruit & Add-Ins
Dry Ingredients
Topping
Pro Tip
Want sweeter muffins? Use 170g sugar (3/4 cup + 2 tbsp). Boost the citrus by rubbing the into the sugar before mixing—this releases essential oils for more intense flavor.
Prep
Prepare Ingredients
Get everything ready before you start mixing.
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Preheat Oven
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with tall tulip-style cups.
Drain Mandarins
Drain mandarins for 10-15 minutes. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the syrup. Pat the fruit dry with a paper towel and cut any large segments in half.
Precise Timers
Use these interactive timers to track your stages.
Drain Mandarins
Mix
Mix the Batter
Combine wet and dry ingredients carefully for tender muffins.
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Combine Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and zest. Remove 1 tablespoon of this mixture for coating the craisins and nuts later.
Mix Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and sugar until thick. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Add the milk, reserved mandarin syrup, and vanilla.
Combine Wet and Dry
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined—don't or muffins will be tough. The batter should be thick—add 1-2 tablespoons extra flour if it seems loose.
Add Mix-Ins
Toss the craisins and walnuts with the reserved tablespoon of flour (this prevents sinking). them into the batter. Gently fold in the mandarin pieces last.
The Final Step
Baking
Bake until golden and perfectly domed.
Baking Methods
Fill Muffin Cups
Fill tulip cups just under two-thirds full. Top each with a mandarin piece if desired. Sprinkle turbinado sugar and chopped nuts on top.
Bake
Bake for 22-26 minutes until golden. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with moist crumbs. Internal temperature should read 195-200°F.
Cool
Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.
Nutrition Facts
Per 1 muffin • 10 servings per recipe
* Values are estimates based on standard ingredients
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Troubleshooting
Baker's Notes
Common questions and solutions for perfect results
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