Pineapple Orange Muffins

Years ago I picked up a ‘Best of the Best’ cookbook while traveling through Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. It was one of those modest-looking regional cookbooks bound with a plastic comb that might have been compiled by a local church or rotary club. This muffin recipe is a favorite from that book, although I’ve since lost my copy and fear it has been accidentally donated. Luckily, last week I happened upon the recipe on a sheet of paper that I’d typed for my mom, the page folded and sticking out from the top of another cookbook.

I remember the recipe’s headnote stated the origin was from Sedberry Hotel, a McMinnville Tennessee establishment (and apparently a pretty ritzy one for the place and time) which opened in early 1900. It closed in the 1950’s, but thankfully the muffins survived. They make a nice breakfast and are extremely easy to whip up!

My first advice before making these muffins is to check your pantry and stock up on orange extract if necessary. The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons in the batter and 2 tablespoons in the glaze (1/4 cup total!). I was dubious about using so much of the ingredient the first time I made these, but the end result is well-balanced and tastes just right.

The muffins do not brown while baking, so expect the tops to be pale when you remove them from the oven.

The garnishes of candied orange zest and coarse crystal sugar are my finishing touches, but they are optional. I used them to spruce up otherwise plain-looking muffins for blog photos. They are tasty additions, but my usual decorum is to leave the muffins unadorned.

SMALL BATCH Edit 4/18/20: The following recipe makes 2 1/2 dozen, which is plenty to share, but if you’re baking for less people, a reduced yield recipe here,which makes about 8-9 muffins.

Pineapple-Orange Muffins

Heather Baird

The following recipe makes 2 1/2 dozen, which is plenty to share, but if you’re baking for less people, a reduced yield recipe here, which makes about 8-9 muffins.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 30

Equipment

• Muffin pan

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• Muffins
• 3 cups 360g all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup 170g unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups 300g granulated sugar
• 3 eggs lightly beaten
• 1 large can 20 oz. crushed pineapple, undrained
• 2 tablespoons orange extract
• Glaze
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 cups confectioners’ sugar sifted
• 2 tablespoons orange extract
• Pinch of salt
• *optional drop of orange food color

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two or more standard 12 cup muffin tins with paper liners.
• Make the muffins: Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a large mixing bowl. In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugar. Add the beaten eggs and mix well. Add the bowl of dry ingredients to the creamed mixture and mix until just incorporated (do not over mix). Add the can of crushed pineapple and orange extract. Mix again briefly until the pineapple and extract are dispersed throughout the batter. Using a small measuring scoop, place batter into paper liners about 2/3 full. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the muffins spring back when pressed in the centers. Remove the muffins to a wire cooling rack.
• Make the glaze: Combine the milk and butter in a medium saucepan. Place over medium-high heat and stir until melted (do not boil). Remove from the heat and stir in powdered sugar, orange extract, and salt. Add the food color if using. Pour glaze in a bowl and dip the tops of the muffins in the glaze. You may also spoon the glaze over the muffins if you prefer. Let stand until set, about 20 minutes.

Keyword crushed pineapple, english muffins, orang extract, Sedberry Inn Muffins

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!