Simple Sweet Lemon Zest (Printable Version)

Moist, fluffy muffins with bright lemon zest and a sweet, tender crumb for any occasion.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 3/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 teaspoons baking powder
04 - 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
05 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1/2 cup whole milk
08 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
09 - 2 tablespoons freshly grated lemon zest (from about 2 medium lemons)
10 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Optional Topping

12 - 2 tablespoons coarse or sparkling sugar

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or grease lightly with butter.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly mixed.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, milk, melted butter, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until smooth.
04 - Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and gently fold with a spatula until just combined, avoiding overmixing.
05 - Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling approximately two-thirds full. Sprinkle tops with coarse sugar if desired.
06 - Bake for 16 to 18 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and tops are lightly golden.
07 - Allow muffins to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Easy to make
  • Bright lemon flavor
02 -
  • These muffins freeze well store in an airtight container for up to 2 months
  • Use freshly grated lemon zest for the best flavor
03 -
  • Line muffin tin cups with parchment liners for easy removal
  • Let the batter rest 5 minutes before baking to hydrate the flour
Go Back