Day 9 of our 12 Days of Holiday Baking with Franchesca Livraghi of Break Thru Kitchen! Franchesca created 12 holiday-inspired recipes using the 8-Piece Ceramic Bakeware Set. For day 9, Franchesca whipped up her special Orange Spiced Eggnog Muffin recipe. These muffins combine the flavors of zesty oranges, warm spices, and creamy and rich eggnog, making them the perfect breakfast treat these holiday mornings.
When prepping your muffins, no need for muffin wrappers, our ceramic muffin tins are completely nonstick so your baked goods will slide right out with ease. No more prying the muffins out and scrubbing your muffin tins, simply pop the bakeware in the dishwasher and once they're clean stack the muffin tins with the rest of the bakeware set for easy, compact storage.
Discover more of Franchesca's tasty recipes on her blog or follow her on Instagram to easily follow along on her baking journey!
Recipe Summary
1 hour 15 minutes
20 minutes
12
Breakfast
Recipe Ingredients
2 cups flour, extra for handling
½ cup butter
1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons amaretto liquor
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups raw almonds
Glaze Ingredients
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons eggnog
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
Recipe Directions
In a bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, brown sugar, and salt.
In another bowl, whisk together eggnog, orange juice, orange zest, egg, egg yolk, vegetable oil, and melted butter. Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined. Cover and refrigerate the batter for 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Fill muffin cavities 3/4 full and bake for 7 minutes. Reduce temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for an additional 13 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Mix powdered sugar, eggnog, and nutmeg to create the glaze. Let muffins cool completely before drizzling the glaze generously. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- For a muffin texture that's light and fluffy, ensure your dry ingredients are well-sifted. This step helps create a smoother batter, leading to a more consistent and delightful crumb.
- When combining the wet and dry ingredients, resist the temptation to overmix. Stop stirring as soon as the ingredients are barely combined to avoid overdeveloping the gluten, resulting in tender, melt in your mouth muffins.
- When incorporating orange zest into the batter, use a fine grater for the perfect zest texture. The fine zest not only enhances the citrusy flavor but also distributes evenly, ensuring each bite is infused with delightful orange notes.
- Use the Deep Roasting Pan in the Larder & Vine Bakeware Set for even baking and easy clean up.
FAQ
Can I skip the resting step?
While it enhances the flavors, you can bake them immediately. However, allowing the batter to rest intensifies the muffins' taste and texture.
What can I substitute for eggnog if I don't have any on hand?
You can replace it with an equal amount of buttermilk for a tangy twist. Alternatively, whole milk works well to maintain the muffins' moisture and texture. Create your own eggnog-inspired substitute by combining whole milk with a pinch of nutmeg, cinnamon, and a dash of vanilla extract. This makeshift eggnog blend will infuse your muffins with that signature holiday taste.
Any alternatives for the orange zest and juice?
If orange isn't your preferred citrus flavor, consider using lemon zest and juice instead. The bright and zesty notes of lemon will still provide a delightful contrast to the spiced eggnog base, ensuring a burst of freshness in every bite.
