Citrus-Currant Sunshine Muffins

DIRECTIONS

• Center a rack in the oven; preheat oven to 375°.
• Butter or spray the 12 molds in a regular-size muffin pan or fit the molds with paper muffin cups.
• Alternately, use a silicone muffin pan, which needs neither greasing nor paper cups.
• Place the muffin pan on a baking sheet.
• In a bowl, rub the sugar and orange zest together with your fingertips until the sugar is moist and the fragrance of orange is strong.
• Whisk in the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
• In a large glass measuring cup or another bowl, whisk together the orange and lemon juices, lemon extract, melted butter, and eggs.
• Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients and, with the whisk or a rubber spatula, gently but quickly stir to blend.
• Don't worry about being thorough--a few lumps are better than overmixing the batter.
• Fold in the currants.
• Divide the batter evenly among the muffin cups.
• Bake for about 20 minutes or until the tops are golden and a thin knife inserted into the center of the muffins comes out clean.
• Transfer the pan to a rack and cool for 5 minutes before carefully removing each muffin from its mold.