Lemon Orange Honey Muffins (Printable)
Citrusy honey-sweetened muffins topped with a fragrant thyme crumble, ideal for breakfast or an afternoon treat.
# Ingredient List:
→ 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
# Directions:
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 all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk the honey, vegetable oil, eggs, plain yogurt, freshly squeezed 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 until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in dense muffins.
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 rub it in with your fingertips or cut it in with a fork until the mixture forms coarse, crumbly pieces.
07 - Sprinkle the thyme crumble evenly over the top of each filled muffin cup.
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 lightly golden.
09 - Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before serving.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The thyme crumble turns an ordinary muffin into something guests will ask about every time you make them.
- Honey instead of refined sugar gives these a gentle, floral sweetness that feels right at any hour of the day.
02 -
- Overmixing the batter is the fastest way to turn these tender muffins into rubbery pucks, so stop folding while there are still a few small lumps.
- Cold butter in the crumble is the difference between a delicate, crunchy topping and a greasy layer that melts into the muffin.
03 -
- Zest the citrus directly over the bowl so the volatile oils fall right into the batter instead of drying out on a cutting board.
- If your honey has crystallized, warm it gently in ten second bursts in the microwave until it flows freely before measuring.