Sunshine Citrus & Date Delight Muffins
Brighten your mornings with these delightful Sunshine Citrus & Date Delight Muffins, crafted entirely in a food processor for ultimate ease and convenience. The fragrant zest of fresh orange pairs beautifully with the natural sweetness of pitted dates, creating a moist and flavorful muffin that is perfect for breakfast or a midday snack. The combination of all-purpose and whole wheat flour adds heartiness, while the chilled butter ensures a tender crumb. Not only are these muffins deliciously irresistible right out of the oven, but they also freeze exceptionally well, making them a great make-ahead option for busy days. Enjoy the burst of citrus in every bite!
12
Servings
150
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
pitted dates
3/4 cup (loosely separated)
all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups (divided)
orange
1 (unpeeled, cut into 8 pieces, seeds removed)
orange juice
1/2 cup (freshly squeezed or store-bought)
eggs
2 (large)
butter
1/2 cup (chilled, cut into pieces)
whole wheat flour
1 cup
granulated sugar
3/4 cup
baking powder
2 teaspoons
baking soda
2 teaspoons
salt
1 teaspoon
Instructions
1
Begin by tossing the pitted dates with 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour in a small bowl. This helps prevent them from sinking to the bottom of the muffins during baking.
2
Place the coated dates in the food processor fitted with a metal blade. Pulse until the dates are evenly chopped, then set aside.
3
Next, add the pieces of unpeeled orange to the food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
4
Pour in the orange juice, crack in the eggs, and add the chilled butter. Process until the mixture is well-blended and smooth.
5
In a separate large bowl, whisk together the whole wheat flour, the remaining all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
6
Combine the dry mixture with the processed liquid ingredients by adding them to the food processor. Pulse just until moistened—be careful not to overmix.
7
Gently fold in the chopped date mixture by hand, ensuring even distribution throughout the batter.
8
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a muffin tin by greasing it or lining with paper liners.
9
Spoon the muffin batter into the prepared muffin cups, filling each three-quarters full.
10
Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the tops are firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow muffins to cool slightly before transferring to a wire rack.
Nutrition Information
6g
Fat
21g
Carbs
2g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Sunshine Citrus & Date Delight Muffins?
They are moist and flavorful muffins made with fresh orange and dates, prepared conveniently in a food processor.
How many muffins does this recipe make?
This recipe yields 12 servings.
What is the calorie count per muffin?
Each muffin contains approximately 150 calories.
Do I need to peel the orange for this recipe?
No, the recipe calls for one unpeeled orange, cut into 8 pieces with seeds removed.
How do I prevent the dates from sinking to the bottom?
Toss the pitted dates with 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour before chopping them to keep them suspended in the batter.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
How long do these muffins take to bake?
The muffins should bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
Can these muffins be frozen?
Yes, these muffins freeze exceptionally well, making them a great make-ahead snack.
What type of flour is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses a combination of all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each muffin has 6g of fat.
How much protein is in each muffin?
There are 2g of protein per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in one muffin?
Each muffin contains 21g of carbohydrates.
What kind of butter should I use?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of chilled butter, cut into pieces.
How many eggs are needed?
You will need 2 large eggs for this recipe.
What type of sugar is required?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of granulated sugar.
What leavening agents are used?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of baking powder and 2 teaspoons of baking soda.
How full should I fill the muffin cups?
Fill each muffin cup three-quarters full with batter.
What is the main equipment needed?
A food processor fitted with a metal blade is the primary tool used for this recipe.
Are these muffins suitable for breakfast?
Yes, they are perfect for breakfast or as a midday snack.
How much orange juice is required?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of orange juice.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is tossing the pitted dates with 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour.
How do I know when the muffins are finished baking?
They are done when the tops are firm to the touch and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Is there any salt in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes 1 teaspoon of salt.
What category does this recipe fall under?
This recipe is categorized as Quick Breads.
Should I use fresh or store-bought orange juice?
You can use either freshly squeezed or store-bought orange juice.
How do I combine the wet and dry ingredients?
Add the dry mixture to the food processor with the liquid ingredients and pulse just until moistened.
What should I do after the muffins are baked?
Allow them to cool slightly before transferring them to a wire rack.
How much whole wheat flour is used?
The recipe uses 1 cup of whole wheat flour.
How are the dates added to the final batter?
The chopped date mixture is gently folded into the batter by hand.
What is the texture of these muffins?
They have a tender crumb thanks to the chilled butter and a moist interior from the orange and dates.