[sandj]

I am baking some Cranberry Muffins and it calls for 2 Tablespoons of Orange Zest and a cup of orange juice. Is orange zest the rind from a orange or is a spice you buy from the store? Can use either in the recipe. Isn't that a lot of orange flavoring? The muffins are for a up coming tea so I want them to be good. I'm sure there are some bakers out there that can help, thanks

 

[chickkie]

zest is from the rind of an orange, but I think you can also buy it as a flavoring. They will be wonderful!

 

[Monamo]

Orange zest is the rind of the orange grated on a very fine grater...(the orange part only, don't go clear down to the white of the rind)

 

[elissa57]

Zest is the peel of the fruit that you are using. Zesters are sold, but you can get the same affect from using a seraded (spelling ?) edge knife and scraping the orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, etc.

 

[peacefulknitter]

No, it isn't too much orange flavoring...will be wonderful with tea.

 

[jvallas]

It's the orange part of the rind and there are tools called zesters available to help you scrape it off without getting any of the bitter pith (the white layer underneath). Typically, you'd zest the orange, then chop that into small pieces. 2 tablespoons doesn't sound unreasonable. I imagine you could use orange extract - in a much smaller quantity, though - but it won't be exactly alike.

 

[kacki]

I would use the zest from the orange. The orange flavor compliments the cranberry. They are delicious!!

 

[Bubba24]

Use a fine grater that you use for for cheese.

 

[knitwit549]

You might be able to find dried orange zest in the spices/baking section of your grocery store. I've used that successfully.

 

[kittykatzmom]

The zest of an orange or lime makes a big difference in the taste.

 

[Sherry1]

Both actually. You can use a microplane for fresh but you must keep rotating the orange. The white pith under the orange rind is very bitter. You can also buy it in the spice section of the store. Generally freeze dried.

 

[ann seal]

zest is from the rind of an orange, but I think you can also buy it as a flavoring. They will be wonderful!

Dehydrated orange peel is also available. I use orange flavoring in frostings. On some graters the is a very fine "grate" that could be used instead of the 'specialty" orange zester. Don't think I would try the flavoring as that would add more liquid. Altho very little as it is usually very strong. Why don't you make an experimental batch before the event? You could freeze them if you want. I used to send frozen cup cakes in the kids lunches.

 

[Colorado knits]

Orange zest is delicious!

Kick up your brownies with fresh zest and fresh orange juice. Put a bit of both in the frosting too.

 

[Grannie Sandy]

You might be able to find dried orange zest in the spices/baking section of your grocery store. I've used that successfully.

McCormick spice company makes dried orange and lemon peel (zest) for a reasonable amount of money. Sure saves the fingernails.

If you decide to make the fresh zest yourself, do it first on a fine grater, then slice the orange in half and juice it. I would not use orange flavoring unless I could not get fresh orange juice. I would not use tinned orange juice in any recipie.

 

[jvallas]

I used to send frozen cup cakes in the kids lunches.

Clever, terrific idea!

 

[Patty Sutter]

I am baking some Cranberry Muffins and it calls for 2 Tablespoons of Orange Zest and a cup of orange juice. Is orange zest the rind from a orange or is a spice you buy from the store? Can use either in the recipe. Isn't that a lot of orange flavoring? The muffins are for a up coming tea so I want them to be good. I'm sure there are some bakers out there that can help, thanks

You wash your orange then lightly peel it with a carrot peeler (no white part) then chop it fine. You don't need to buy the fancy zesting grater.
Then juice the orange.
You can buy orange zest dried, but fresh is better.

 

[sandj]

You wash your orange then lightly peel it with a carrot peeler (no white part) then chop it fine. You don't need to buy the fancy zesting grater.
Then juice the orange.
You can buy orange zest dried, but fresh is better.

Good idea, I didn't think about using the juice from the orange..

 

[Jalsh]

I use the wood rasp. Works perfectly.

 

[Phee]

When hubby was alive his most favorite cake was a vanilla cake made with orange juice and fresh orange zest. It was a double layer with coconut frosting with orange zest mixed in it. It was to die for even the boys loved that one.oh yes it was made from scratch.

 

[jvallas]

When hubby was alive his most favorite cake was a vanilla cake made with orange juice and fresh orange zest. It was a double layer with coconut frosting with orange zest mixed in it. It was to die for even the boys loved that one.oh yes it was made from scratch.

This sounds soooooo good! :thumbup: