Best Ever Orange and Poppy Seed Muffins

I recently came across the BEST EVER orange and poppy seed muffin recipe, and in keeping with NNG tradition, I must share it! I don't usually like muffins, they tend to be sickly sweet and leave a layer of sugary grit on your teeth. This recipe manages to be fresh and zesty whilst remaining dense.

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup butter, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon orange extract
• 2 2/3 cups plain flour
• 3 tablespoons poppy seeds
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt

Preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celcius. 
Cream together butter and sugar. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Beat in sour cream, orange juice, zest and extract.
In a separate bowl combine flour, poppy seeds, baking soda and salt. Add dry mixture into wet mixture, and stir until incorporated.
Scoop into muffin tins, lined with paper-liners, until two-thirds full. Bake on the ope shelf for 15-18 minutes or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely. Spoon over orange syrup while warm.

Orange Syrup

• 2 tablespoons orange juice 
• 1/2 teaspoon of orange extract
• 1/4 cup icing sugar

In a small bowl stir the orange juice into the icing sugar until combined. Spoon over warm muffins.

Makes approximately: 16 muffins

E.N.J.O.Y