Vanilla Lemon Orange Muffins

Sep 5, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Baking Muffins Origin: Tahitian Vanilla: Beans Easy

Vanilla Lemon Orange Muffins on a cooling rack

These muffins are tender and moist with rounded tops and a simple vanilla profile that works for breakfast or brunch. Orange adds flavor and texture. Best with Tahitian vanilla (floral, cherry, anise); any pure vanilla works.

Prep 15 min

Cook 22 min

Cooling 5 min

Total 42 min

Yield 12 muffins

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

muffins

2.0 cups (240.0 g)all-purpose flour
¾ cup (150.0 g)granulated sugar
½ cup (110.0 g)neutral vegetable oil
2.0 (100.0 g)large eggs
¾ cup (180.0 ml)whole milk
2.0 tsp (8.0 g)baking powder
½ tsp (3.0 g)fine sea salt
½ (2.0 g)VanillaGoods vanilla bean, split and scraped
1.0 tbsp (6.0 g)finely grated lemon zest

Flavor Accent

2.0 tsp (4.0 g)finely grated orange zest

Make it at home

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Instructions

Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a standard 12-cup muffin pan.
Whisk the finely grated orange zest evenly into the dry ingredients so the orange is dispersed before the wet and dry mixtures are combined. The accent should be evenly distributed with no visible pockets.
Rub the lemon zest into the sugar with your fingertips until fragrant, then whisk the flour, lemon sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Break up any clumps before you add the wet ingredients.
Whisk the oil, eggs, milk, and vanilla in a second bowl until fully blended.
Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and fold gently just until no dry flour remains. A few small lumps are fine; a perfectly smooth batter usually means it has been overmixed.
Divide the batter among the muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full. Bake for 20 to 24 minutes. The tops should be rounded and lightly golden, and a tester should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then move the muffins to a rack.

Tips

Optional add-in: fold 95 g toasted almonds, pecans or pistachios (cooled and chopped) into the finished dough or batter just until evenly distributed.
Optional add-in, toasted coconut: fold 95 g unsweetened toasted coconut flakes, cooled into the finished dough or batter just until evenly distributed.
Optional finish, vanilla glaze (1 cup confectioners' sugar, 1½ tbsp whole milk, ½ tsp VanillaGoods vanilla extract): whisk the confectioners' sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth. Drizzle over the fully cooled muffins.
Add any glaze or dusting only after the muffins have cooled completely, about 30 minutes.
No vanilla bean? Use 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste or 1 teaspoon vanilla powder instead. Add it where the recipe adds the seeds; if the bean is steeped in hot milk or cream, stir the swap in after cooking, off the heat.
Best vanilla for this: Tahitian (floral, cherry, anise), or Madagascar (rich, creamy, classic). Any pure vanilla works.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make vanilla lemon orange muffins?

Plan on 15 minutes of prep and 22 minutes of cooking, plus 5 minutes to rest, chill, or cool. It makes 12 muffins.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

No vanilla bean? Use 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste or 1 teaspoon vanilla powder instead. Add it where the recipe adds the seeds; if the bean is steeped in hot milk or cream, stir the swap in after cooking, off the heat.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 12 servings this recipe makes.

224 Calories / serving

10.7g Fat

28.7g Carbs

3.6g Protein

13.4g Sugar

Whole recipe (12 servings): ~2688 cal · 128g fat · 344g carbs · 43g protein · 161g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 224 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 42 min·2.5 mi·~4900 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 30 min·1.5 mi·~3000 steps
Moderate cycling 23 min·4.6 mi
Swimming laps 31 min
Jogging 22 min·1.8 mi·~3500 steps
Stair climbing 21 min·~1900 steps
Dancing 36 min
Bodyweight circuit training 23 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 52 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.