Can I make these nut-free?

Yes! Simply omit the walnuts and add more craisins to make up for it.

How long do these muffins stay fresh?

These muffins stay moist for 2-3 days thanks to the mandarin oranges. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

What are tulip muffin liners?

Tulip muffin liners are tall café-style paper cups that give your muffins a professional bakery presentation. They're sturdy, grease-resistant, and perfect for gift-giving.

Can I use fresh oranges instead of canned mandarins?

Fresh mandarin or clementine segments work, but canned mandarins provide more consistent moisture. If using fresh, add an extra tablespoon of orange juice to the wet ingredients.

Baking Great Bread at Home

A Late-Night Bake Worth Sharing

Beginner

Mandarin HolidayMuffins

by Henry Hunter

Soft citrus muffins perfect for holiday gift-giving

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Bake Time

Varies

Yield

10 muffins

Browse All Recipes Print Version View One-SheetNEW

Mandarin Holiday Muffins - finished bread

Henry Hunter, professional baker and recipe author

Perfection is not required

"Great bread isn't about perfect technique—it's about understanding the dough."

— Henry Hunter

By Henry Hunter Jr., founder of Crust & Crumb Academy and Baking Great Bread at Home.

Authentic Flavor

Soft mandarin orange muffins with craisins and walnuts, baked in tall tulip cups. These café-style muffins are perfect for holiday gift-giving.

Equipment Needed

Prep

Prepare Ingredients

Get everything ready before you start mixing.

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Preheat Oven

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with tall tulip-style cups.

Drain Mandarins

Drain mandarins for 10-15 minutes. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the syrup. Pat the fruit dry with a paper towel and cut any large segments in half.

Precise Timers

Use these interactive timers to track your stages.

Drain Mandarins

15:00

Mix

Mix the Batter

Combine wet and dry ingredients carefully for tender muffins.

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Combine Dry Ingredients

Whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and zest. Remove 1 tablespoon of this mixture for coating the craisins and nuts later.

Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk the melted butter and sugar until thick. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Add the milk, reserved mandarin syrup, and vanilla.

Combine Wet and Dry

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Stir gently until just combined—don't or muffins will be tough. The batter should be thick—add 1-2 tablespoons extra flour if it seems loose.

Add Mix-Ins

Toss the craisins and walnuts with the reserved tablespoon of flour (this prevents sinking). them into the batter. Gently fold in the mandarin pieces last.

The Final Step

Baking

Bake until golden and perfectly domed.

Oven: 350°F / 175°CInternal Temp: 200°F / 93°C

Baking Methods

Fill Muffin Cups

Fill tulip cups just under two-thirds full. Top each with a mandarin piece if desired. Sprinkle turbinado sugar and chopped nuts on top.

Bake

Bake for 22-26 minutes until golden. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with moist crumbs. Internal temperature should read 195-200°F.

Cool

Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack.

Nutrition Facts

Per 1 muffin • 10 servings per recipe

Calories295

Carbohydrates42g

Protein4g

Fat13g

Fiber1g

Sugar22g

Sodium195mg

* Values are estimates based on standard ingredients; actual values vary by brands and portion size.

Storage

Room Temperature

2-3 days in an airtight container at room temperature

Refrigerated

Up to 1 week, well wrapped.

Frozen

Freeze individually wrapped for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm briefly in microwave.

Refresh

Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds, or in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5-8 minutes.

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Troubleshooting

Baker's Notes

Common questions and solutions for perfect results

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