Mandarin Muffins

5 from 1 vote

Delicately flavoured mandarin muffins with the added sweetness of dates.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Baking

Cuisine: New Zealand

Keyword: Mandarin Muffins, Mandarin Orange Muffins

Servings: muffins

Calories: 299kcal

Author: Stacey

5 mandarins Reserve 1 for garnish, 4 go into the batter. I used 200-250 grams of mandarins In the batter depending on how many are peeled
2 eggs
¼ cup maple syrup
½ cup olive oil

Preheat your oven to 180 degrees (360 F). Prepare a muffin tin by greasing it.
In a large mixing bowl use a whisk or fork to combine the dry ingredients (flour, ground almonds, baking powder, chopped dates).
Use a food processor or blender to whizz up the wet ingredients. (4 mandarins, olive oil, eggs and maple syrup).
Fold the wet ingredients through the dry ingredients.
Portion your mandarin muffin batter into the greased muffin tin. (Optional top each muffin with a mandarin section)
Bake at 180 degrees celsius for 15-30 mins (It will be dependent on the size of the muffins.) Muffins are cooked when they spring back when you press them gently in the centre

For a more strongly flavoured mandarin muffin include more whole mandarins with their skin on or for a milder citrus flavor peel all the mandarins. My kids like 1 with the skin and 3 without.
Store these muffins in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 4 months.
Flour: I use plain flour, but I have also tested this recipe with a gluten free flour and it worked well.
Ground almonds: This may be knowns as almond flour, almond meal or ground almonds, it is finely ground almonds used like a flour in baking.
Baking powder: Baking soda can be used as a rising agent instead of baking powder, you will only need ¾ teaspoon baking soda.
Dates chopped: The combination of orange/mandarin and date is so good but the dates can be substituted for other dried fruit such as raisins, sultanas or cranberries.
Mandarins: A small sweet citrus fruit with orange skin. These fruit are known by different names in different parts of the world, you may know them as clementines, satsuma, cuties or mandarin oranges. If you do not have fresh mandarins you could use a drained can of mandarin oranges. This recipe will also work with oranges.
Eggs: I have not tested this recipe with egg replacers.
Maple syrup: This can be substituted for honey.
Olive oil: This can be substituted for melted butter or another oil if you prefer.