Orange Muffins with Candied Ginger

Random Bakes of Kindness

When I want to 'treat' someone, I usually bake them muffins or cookies. They're easy to transport, can be 'increased' easily if I need big batch offerings, and they are the recipes at which I excel - brag, brag, I know, but it's true.

Anyway, I'm always on the hunt for good recipes to add to the arsenal and this one is a new find. I was digging around on a site dedicated to muffin recipes ... wahoo! The recipe originally had chopped figs, but I liked the sound of candied ginger with all that citrus. I also like the idea of an orangey citrus glaze drizzled over the tops of the cool muffins. I've never been one for dietary discretion. What can I say? Besides, this sweet treat is for one of the sweetest folks I've met of late.

... a baker's dozen muffins ... some for a sweet girl and some for me

So, now to the treat! I have it in mind to surprise Cindy Tommilla. Cindy is a fun acquaintance of mine who never ceases to stop what she's doing and spend some time helping me out. You see, she runs a small consignment shop in our community and is always getting neat kitchen gadgets and cake plates, vases and casseroles, bowls and books. Plus, she specializes in children's goods. Well, I'm WAY past that stage of life, but when I needed a child's apron and a child's cookbook for a cake baking contest that our little church was hosting, Cindy came through for me. She has donated her goods to every major event that our church has had, always has a smile for me when I bust through her door at Sugar and Spice Consignment, and is a sweet soul. So I am randomly gifting her some muffins this afternoon.

... wrapped and ready for delivery

Can't wait to see the look on her face ....

Here's the recipe for you to make ... easy, fast, and so tasty! And just so you don't wonder ... no, there are no eggs or dairy in this recipe.

Orange Muffins with Candied Ginger

Makes: a baker's dozen
Oven: 375°F

Bake time: 20 to 25 minutes

Ingredients:

⅓ c. canola oil

⅓ c. orange blossom honey

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. fresh orange juice

½ c. orange marmalade

3 c. flour

1 tbsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

½ tsp. salt

1 tbsp. orange  or lemon zest

2 tsp. ground ginger

2 - 3 tbsp. minced candied ginger

Making the Muffins:

1. Line a muffin pan withpaper liners or grease the cups generously.

2. Mix the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, zest, and candied ginger and set it aside.

3. In a deep bowl, whisk the oil, honey,vanilla extract, orange juice, and marmalade until the honey and marmalade are completely incorporated.

4. Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir just until the batter is mixed.

5. Quickly fill the muffin cups right up to the tops.

6. Pop the pans in the pre-heated oven and bake.

7. Test with a cake tester at 22 minutes. If the muffins are done, set the timer for ten minutes, cool them and then pop them out of the muffin pans and onto a raised rack.

8. Cool completely and then move them close together and drizzle them with a frosting glaze made with some confectioner's sugar, a tiny bit of melted butter, and some orange juice.

9. Let the glaze set up a bit and then plate the muffins. Share some with a friend!