It’s been a rough week. I’ve been feeling out of sorts and I just can’t seem to get my mind to focus. Maybe I just need muffins. These muffins, in particular. I made these gems a few weeks ago and they were perfect. The crumb was tender and light and they felt wholesome and completely right. If you are looking for cupcakes, look elsewhere. They aren’t sweet, but they certainly aren’t boring either. They may not look like the first thing you’d want to pick up, but trust me, hiding in that Plain Jane package are bites of brightness. It’s unexpected and delicious.
It’s a beautiful thing to have freshly baked muffins in the morning and maybe that’s all I need to shake myself out of this funk. Despite the lengthy ingredient list, they are a snap to put together. I made them in the evening and quickly devoured one with a cup of hot tea. The next morning, a muffin or two helped to round out my usual coffee & pink grapefruit mid-week breakfast. So maybe this evening I’ll try these again, a potential remedy to rid myself of this discombobulation. I’m sure they’d be wonderful with some of last summer’s frozen blueberries tossed in or keep things simple and bake ’em up plain.
Elsewhere: Wondering what utensils you need for your kitchen? Check out my latest post over at Poppytalk where I write about the essentials along with a few favorites.
orange multigrain muffins
(adapted from Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home)
1 egg
1/4 c canola oil
3/4 c buttermilk
1/3 c brown sugar
1/2 c oats
1/4 c orange juice
zest from 1 orange
1/2 c all-purpose flour
1 c whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 c wheat bran
1/2 t cinnamon
large pinch each of nutmeg & cardamom
1/4 t salt
1 t baking soda
1 t baking powderPreheat oven to 400F. In a large bowl, stir together the eggs, oil, buttermilk, brown sugar, oats, and orange juice/zest. In another bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and mix well. Add the liquids into the dry ingredients and stir just until a batter has formed.
Spoon batter into a paper-lined muffin tin (or just oil the tin) and bake for 20 minutes or until puffed and golden. Test with a fork to make sure it’s cooked all the way through. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from pan.
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Hey, sorry to hear you’re feeling off! Maybe you need to slow down a bit? Maybe you need a change of scenery like a vacation. Believe me, I’ve had many of those “disco Bob” LOL! (i.e. discombobulated) moments lately! I just ride the wave, waiting for it to pass. It always does 🙂
I am so making those orange muffins asap! Just need to stock up on buttermilk…
these sound so yummy and a perfect way to start the day (i love the idea of having them alongside grapefruit and maybe some yogurt?) i don’t have a muffin tin in my new place but i think its about time i get myself one!
sorry to hear that you’re not feeling well 🙁 i hope the end of the week and the weekend will cheer you up … along with these muffins of course! they look wonderful — just like what a muffin should be: wholesome, healthy and delicious. i’ll definitely have to try this recipe. and i just made muffins too! wholewheat lemon and cranberry. 🙂
Baked goods often do the trick to get me out of a funk. These muffins look especially lovely and perfect for an any-time-of-day pick me up rather than just a dessert. Delicious.
Oh Jeanette. I wish we could get together over a cup of coffee or tea and share some of these muffins. I’ve been having a rough time lately as well. A muffin and a good friend would certainly help!
Take it easy on yourself…its been a tough time for you. A good muffin will always help, and these sound like the right pick-me-up! But how do you stop at just one?
Bijoux, a vacation would be great! You could use yogurt here instead I’m sure.
I think a muffin tin is a must, Blair because freshly baked muffins can make your morning 10x better.
Thanks Karen, these are indeed wholesome & delicious.
Joanne, glad to see you behind the baked-good cure!
Yes, let’s meet up soon. Sorry about your rough time too. Hmmm, commiserate over virtual muffins?
Thanks Hag. It’s okay, eat two! Who’s counting?
There are not enough citrus-oriented muffins in the world. No sirree. Thanks for adding another much-needed recipe for them!
These muffins look delicious, I love all things citrusy and spiced. I just found you on Flickr and have mentioned you on my blog, hope that’s ok.
Laura
Jeanette, I just became contented with a simple hunk of toasted baguette for breakfast, and now you go and dangle these utterly delicious, wholesome beauties on my screen.
Baguette will be for another boring Monday. Thanks for these!!
the minute i saw your beautiful craggly muffin tops, I immediately thought ‘theres got to be some good buttermilk in here’, low and behold 🙂 They look great, and I’m sure the orange is just perfect in here.
Yum…just looking at those muffins brings ME out of a funk! Hope they made you feel bright and sweet.
Yum…just looking at those muffins brings ME out of a funk! Hope they made you feel bright and sweet.
Yum…just looking at those muffins brings ME out of a funk! Hope they made you feel bright and sweet.
Yum…just looking at those muffins brings ME out of a funk! Hope they made you feel bright and sweet.
Yum…just looking at those muffins brings ME out of a funk! Hope they made you feel bright and sweet.
Yum…just looking at those muffins brings ME out of a funk! Hope they made you feel bright and sweet.
Yum…just looking at those muffins brings ME out of a funk! Hope they made you feel bright and sweet.
Yum…just looking at those muffins brings ME out of a funk! Hope they made you feel bright and sweet.
Yum…just looking at those muffins brings ME out of a funk! Hope they made you feel bright and sweet.
Yum…just looking at those muffins brings ME out of a funk! Hope they made you feel bright and sweet.
Yum…just looking at those muffins brings ME out of a funk! Hope they made you feel bright and sweet.
Yum…just looking at those muffins brings ME out of a funk! Hope they made you feel bright and sweet.
These are exactly the kind of muffins I love to make! I hope you’re feeling better soon.
Some days I wake up slightly earlier than my alarm and feel super zealous and decide I will bake some warm muffins for breakfast. But I usually gave in to the pillow and stay on for a few more winks. I think these would be just as yummy prepared the night before! 🙂
These could not be further from Plain Jane! I love this kind of stuff, especially with my afternoon cup of coffee or tea! I hope things are getting better and that you feel a little more focused. I am having the same problem lately…maybe I need a batch of these muffins!
Never thought about it before, but perhaps that is true Kali!
Laura, thanks so much for the mention!
Sprout, there is nothing wrong with a toasted baguette. Nothing at all!
Sara, you’ve got good buttermilk-spotting eyes!
Thanks Linda!
Ashley, well now you can 🙂
Sweets, take your sleep and make these the night before! They’re perfect that way.
Thanks Sarena. Yes, maybe muffins solve all of life’s aches & pains.
I hope the rough patches in your life are smoothing over. Muffins might not fix everything, but they can certainly brighten up the day. Sending you virtual hugs and muffins.
Lynn, we’ll see! I actually have a bit of a wait…until then I’m on tenterhooks.
Hey I found this recipe on foodgawker, and I just wanted to let you know I tried it and its fantastic! Its a great change from the berry muffins I always make, and so healthy too! Thanks!
Risse, so glad you liked them. I agree, it’s good to mix up your muffins for a change!
I made these and added a nice dollop of orange marmalade in the middle before baking… Just an idea that made them extra good. Also, just a note on baking time – mine were brown in 13-15 minutes and seemed a little dry. Not sure if the baking time or temp is correct as listed. Otherwise, a good recipe to play with. Thanks!
Linda, I do have an old oven so if yours is more efficient then they would have cooked faster than mine. Glad to hear they turned out great and good call on adding in some marmalade!
I made these muffins last night and they turned out great!
I had to sub in buckwheat flour, as I had no w.w. flour & I subbed in wheat germ for wheat bran but all in all, a very adaptable recipe and the subtle orange aroma in there can’t be beat!
Bijoux, so glad you loved these muffins! Love your subs.
it turns out that these muffins are still great even if, say, you totally forget the oatmeal! i do look forward to making them again as they ought to be made.
Juliaf, so glad you enjoyed these….even without the oatmeal!
Delicious! These were wonderful. I just poured myself some coffee and ate three while lounging on my couch! I feel less guilty as they have “Multigrain” in the title. 🙂 This is the second recipe I’ve tried from your blog and they have both been great. I love finding fun, simple, good looking food blogs and this totally fits my style. Thanks for your work!
These were very tasty. 🙂
I made these last night with my 3 year old and they have already disappeared! love the combination of flavours and how it tastes ‘wholesome’ so i don’t feel so guilty eating them. Did not have wheat bran, so I substituted wheat germ instead and they tasted great!! thank you so much for sharing..will definitely be making these again!! 🙂 thinking of adding chopped up dates into the mix next time for a different twist 🙂