Description
Zesty Lemon Muffins are light, fluffy, and bursting with fresh lemon flavor. Featuring a soft crumb and golden tops, these muffins are topped with a sweet-tart lemon glaze, making them perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a refreshing snack any time of day.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1/3 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Lemon Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, lemon zest, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined and aerated.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), vegetable oil, fresh lemon juice, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the muffins tender and light.
- Fill Muffin Cups: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about 3/4 full to allow room for rising.
- Bake: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean.
- Cool: Allow the muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare and Apply Glaze (Optional): If desired, whisk together powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth to make a glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled muffins to add a sweet-tart finishing touch.
Notes
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest for the brightest and most authentic lemon flavor.
- These muffins freeze well—wrap them tightly and thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
- For a fun variation, add poppy seeds to the batter.
