I loved hearing everyone’s favorite Froyo toppings. Again, only doing bad things for my addiction!
So even though the worst weather is behind me and I am getting a good dosage of Vitamin D from the sun…
It seems that everyone around me is coughing a little bit more, sneezing a little bit more. So it’s time to up the Vitamin C.
A little history of Orange Juice and I:
I used to love it as a child, but now I’m really not the biggest fan of it (pineapple juice included) even if its fresh-squeezed.
Something about that phlegmy feeling and that it’s just too darn sweet!
I am still an immense fan of other fresh squeezed juices though.
Any who, I made Heather’s Chewy Almond Orange Cookies a while back but subbed applesauce and orange zest for the OJ
The orange zest was a major hit! These are the perfect study reward too, because the chewiness of the oats.
It gives it sustenance, but it also has this amazing unique flavor… but I still really wanted to try it with the orange juice…
So I made it again this time the only changes I made were halving the almond butter (cause I think it’s a strong enough flavor on its own)
I used a chia egg instead of a real egg and added 2 T of sliced orange rind. I wanted to make the ‘zest’ add to the chewy part.
I also omitted the almond slices this time cause they disappeared into the batter anyways
Pre-Oven:
Post Oven Lovin’:
Umigoddd un-be-reevable. The almond extract made such a difference as did the orange juice. And I’m obsessed with the chunky orange rind thrown in there.
These are now my favorite sweet treat while I’m studying. Thanks Heather!
Now, I had an orange zest obsession and some leftover OJ on my hands.
What’s a girl to do?
Whole Wheat Creamsicle Muffins
(makes 6)
I didn’t want a full dozen so I halved everything and modified it a bit.
- 1 c whole wheat flour
- 1 scoop vanilla whey protein
- 2 T sucanat
- 1 Chia egg
- 1/4 c plain greek yogurt
- 1/6 c almond milk
- 1/2 c orange juice
- A pinch of salt
- 1/2 t baking soda
- 1/2 t baking powder
- 1.5 t vanilla extract
- 2 T orange zest
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 18-20 minutes. Top with frosting.
Glamour Shots.
Still left with more OJ. I decided to put a spin on the cream cheese frosting I made last week.
Orange Cream Cheese Frosting
(makes enough for 6 muffins or cupcakes)
- ½ tub Tofutti plain cream cheese.
- ¼ c OJ
- 1/6 c sucanat
- ½ T orange zest
- ½ t vanilla
They key is to let the cream cheese sit out and soften for a while. I just used some steam escaping from the dishwasher to loosen it up. 
P.S. The sucanat will mix in better after it sits.
This cream cheese frosting, like the one in the purple velvet cupcake recipe congeals more after it sits in the fridge for a night.
Are you an O.J. fan?
If not, what’s your favorite juice.
Currently, I’m having an affair with watermelon juice
Casey
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Tags: almond butter, almond extract, chia, cream cheese frosting, greek yogurt, Oats, orange, orange juice, sucanat, tofutti cream cheese, whey protein, zest
I don’t really find myself drinking much juice, actually! I think the closest I get is a coconut water every so often! I usually stick to water because…well…it’s free and I’m cheap about things like that
KI LOVE baking with orange zest, or any lest, really – lemon, lime – and I can only imagine how great these cookies are!! AND the muffins – so creative
Good luck fighiting off that cold/not letting it have a chance at you!
Amen to the fact water is free. Otherwise I’d be broke cos I drink it like a fish.
Nothing is better then some coconut water post bike ride!
I don’t drink juice very much at all, but if I do, it’s homemade orange juice with the pulp!
I love how you added orange juice to your muffins!
Creamsicle sounds SO good! 
So many desserts it’s making my hungry! Lol I like OJ but it just has so much sugar that i don’t drink it
these muffins look amazing especially the frosting!
Definitely my favorite part!
I’m not really a huge juice fan. If I drink orange juice, I like to mix it with cranberry juice
Oh gosh, the photos look wonderful and I want to love these… but I’m 10000% not an orange in desserts fan! Maybe I could try the cookies with lime or lemon?
Lime make me think of cocktails…but I think lemons would be delicious in them. Though you do spark some interest in me now to make a mojito cookie…
I am not big on juices. i find them to be too sweet, even if they are fresh squeezed. I do love fruit, though. not sure what it is about juice, but it’s just not my thing. I love navel and cara cara oranges. i eat at least one every day. i am in love with all of your recipes here with oranges. i could easily find myself baking up your goodies very soon. thanks!