Citrusy Zucchini Muffins
I know what you’re thinking: I can…not….eat….one….more….zucchini.
Or maybe it’s more like Please dear God make them stop!
Or perhaps you’re wondering how you can use the next giant zucchini you pick as a weapon against all the other invading zucchinis.
At any rate, you’re probably done with zucchini.
Well friends, don’t be.
No seriously. I know you’ve grilled it, stirred it into soups, stacked it on sandwiches, mixed it into pasta salads, and even tossed it with quinoa, but there’s one more recipe you simply must try.
Muuuuuuuuuust try I tell you!
These Citrusy Zucchini Muffins are unlike any other zucchini bread/muffin/cake I’ve ever had. Usually zucchini breads are dense and loaded with spices.
I like those recipes. Really, I do.
But guys. This recipe BLOWS THEM OUTTA THE WATER. These muffins are light and fluffy with a perfect tender crumb. There’s not a speck of spice in them. Instead, lemon and orange zest adds a bright, fruity note to the muffins that is super refreshing and summery.
The batter smells amazing, so of course I just had to dip a finger in to give it a try. Let’s just say, I only got 23 baked muffins out of my double batch. Whoopsies!
These can easily be adapted to fit your tastes. The original recipe calls for lemon zest and raisins, but I’ve also made them with orange zest, and I actually like to swap cranberries in for the raisins. You can make them with or without nuts.
One thing is for sure, you’re going to want to make a double batch. Trust me on this one, 1 dozen of these bright fluffy muffins will not be enough. (P.S. You can freeze these. Hollah!)
This recipe comes from The King Arthur Flour Baker’s Companion
, and it is a perfect example of why I love this cookbook. It’s full of comforting classics like crumb coffeecake and flaky biscuits, but it’s also got new takes on old favorites, like these zucchini muffins or apple and cheddar stuffed french toast.
It’s got everything you can possibly think to bake–muffins, pancakes, baguettes, croissants, cake, pies, cookies, donuts, and scones. Plus, sprinkled throughout the cookbook are tons of helpful tips explaining the methods and ingredients for recipes. Each recipe comes with a thorough nutritional evaluation, a brief description of the recipe, and suggestions for serving.
My copy is filled with dog eared pages and grease stains–the signs of a cookbook well used and well loved. This is truly one you’re going to want to make room for on your bookshelf.
And King Arthur products go beyond flour to all sorts of baked goods–cocoa, vanillas, yeast, even sprinkles! The Mr. is a big fan of their chocolate jimmies–he’d put them on everything if I let him. So check them out, and be sure to sign up for their newsletter if you want baking tips and recipes delivered right to your inbox.
And guys? I just want to say thank you. This blog has been such a blessing in my life, and it’s all because of you! I treasure each of your comments and absolutely love hearing from you, whether here on the blog, on Facebook, or on Twitter. Thank you for reading along, commenting, sharing feedback, and putting up with all my craziness. I wish I could give you all a big fat hug! You’re the best!
Zucchini Citrus Muffins
Ingredients
- 2 cups unbleached all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Grated zest from one lemon (you can also use orange zest or a mix of both)
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 1/2 cup cranberries
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup packed shredded zucchini
Instructions
Want to see what other recipes I’ve gotten from the King Arthur Flour Baker’s Companion? Here are just a few of my favorites:
Morning Glory Muffins– Hands down my favorite muffin of all time.
Banana Split Bundt Cake– Moist banana cake with a rich chocolate glaze and swirls of chocolate and strawberry throughout. Um yeah, it’s a pretty good idea.
Cream Tea Scones— I made these for a Downton Abbey viewing and loved them. I usually have trouble with scones being too crumbly, dry, or bland, but these were the perfect texture.
And finally, my favorite chocolate frosting, found on these Double Chocolate Cupcakes.
I’d make an apple pie!
I’d bake cookies, cakes, cupcakes, and breads.
I’d bake muffins and coffee cakes.
Double chocolate cupcakes, yum!!
I’d love to learn how to make scones
beignets
used to live in Norwich, VT and Loved going into the King Arthur Flour store! One of the things I miss most about VT. I like to make anything but the banana split bundt cake sounds seriously yummy!
Someday I would love to take a foodie vacation to VT and visit KAF and Ben and Jerry’s!
I’d like to start making cake from scratch and King Arthur seems like the place to look first.
It’s a great starting place. Definitely check out their blog as well. They offer recipes and all kinds of helpful baking tips.
banana split bundt cake
Strawberry-Lemon Chess Pies.
Banana Split Bundt Cake
I would love to make the Double Chocolate Cupcakes.
I’d love to have that crumbcake recipe! Thanks for the giveaway and keep up the good work! 🙂
No idea, but it’d be something with chocolate!
I’d make the Banana Split Bundt Cake!
Cookies and cakes
I would bake cakes and muffins.
These muffins look pretty awesome, and since I am up to my ears in zucchini, I’ll prob be trying it out very soon!
Thanks Ashley. Let me know how you like them!
Double chocolate cupcakes!
I’m sure all the recipes in the book are fantastic. I’d probably start with a cake or muffins!
If I won the cookbook I would go right to the cake recipes. Lots of family birthdays coming up!!
I would work my way through that book, starting off with breads.
Now that’s a great idea!
i love love love kaf! i think half of my kitchen is outfitted through them, lol. i especially love their fiore de sicillia flavoring-yum 🙂 if i win, i think the first think i will bake is a good ciabatta bread. thanks for such a yummy and useful giveaway!
Oooo! I’ve never tried that flavoring before but it sounds amazing! Will have to add it to my list!
I would make lots of muffins for Sunday mornings 🙂
I’d love to make any sort of spiced muffin!!
I’d like to make the Chocolate Lava Cakes
Gotta be the double choc cup cakes!!
Banana Split Bundt Cake
The morning glory muffins look fantastic! I’d also want to try the maple cornbread.
I want to try the Blackberry Jam Cream Tea scones
I’m loving the look of those Morning Glory Muffins!
The double chocolate cupcakes definitely!
Double chocolate cupcakes of course!
I can’t participate as I’m from Malaysia but I think the best prize for me is this recipe! Zucchini is not very common here and it’s something I’ve only recently discovered. Because of it’s rarity, it’s rather expensive. I tried a few zuchini bread recipes and my purse hurt because they turned out a soggy mess. Have got to try this recipe! Hope it works for me this time 🙂
I”m so glad you like it and glad you stopped by! Soggy zucchini bread is so disappointing! I hope this one is a success!
Would love to make the Morning Glory muffins!
I would love to make those morning glory muffins! And just browse a new cookbook’s pages. 🙂
I would like to make scones.
I would be making the Banana Split Bundt Cake.
love to make the banana split bundt cake!
I’d like to make the crusty Italian bread recipe in the book
the morning glory muffin look yummy
I would make a something with all the peaches and blueberries I have right now.
I haven’t seen the contents, but would like to make scones.
Double Chocolate Cupcakes! Yes!
I would love to make the morning glory muffins!