Mandarin Orange Muffins with Cinnamon-Sugar Glaze

Canned mandarin oranges give a delightful citrus flavor to these delicious spiced muffins which are topped with cinnamon sugar. They are perfect for a quick breakfast or snack. Source: About.com

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Yields: 12 large muffins

Ingredients

• 1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges (a 15-oz can works as well)
• 1 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 3⁄4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1⁄4 teaspoon allspice
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄3 cup shortening
• 1  egg, slightly beaten
• 1⁄3 cup milk

• Topping

• 1⁄4 cup  melted butter
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F Place muffin papers in muffin tins or spray tins with vegetable oil.
2. Drain oranges and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside.
3. Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, allspice, and sugar. Cut in shortening with a pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Whisk together egg and milk. Pour into flour mixture and stir with a fork just until combined. Do not overmix. Batter will be thick. (If your batter is crumbly, you may add a SMALL splash of milk). Carefully fold in mandarin oranges.
5. Fill muffin tins 3/4 full. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until center tests done and muffins are lightly golden.
6. While muffins are baking, place melted butter in a small bowl. In another small bowl, whisk together sugar and cinnamon.
7. When muffins are done, dip each hot muffin first into the butter and then into the cinnamon sugar. Let cool.