Upside-Down Spelt Orange Muffins with Semolina
These upside-down spelt orange muffins turn thin orange slices into little caramelized suns on top, baked in a semolina and spelt batter that’s rich, nutty, and just a little different from your average muffin.
Semolina gives the crumb a bit of pleasant bite and soaks up the orange syrup beautifully, while spelt flour adds a subtle nutty flavor. Simple ingredients, but the combination is something special.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Caramelized orange slices on top, gorgeous and genuinely delicious
- A unique semolina-spelt crumb, nutty and never dry
- Easy to make vegan with a simple swap
- Great for brunch or an afternoon treat
Key Ingredients & Substitutions:
- Spelt flour – gives a subtle, nutty flavor. Regular all-purpose flour works as a substitute if that’s what you have.
- Semolina – adds a slightly coarse, pleasant bite to the crumb, and soaks up the orange syrup beautifully.
- Ground almonds – adds richness and helps keep the muffins moist.
- Eggs – for a vegan version, swap the 3 eggs for ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce plus 1 tsp baking soda.
Pro Tips for Success:
- Slice the oranges thin, about ¼ inch (0.5cm), thicker slices can turn bitter or tough once baked.
- Grease the muffin tin well before adding the orange slices, this is what lets the muffins release cleanly once you flip the tin.
- Run a knife around the edges of each muffin before flipping, it helps loosen them and prevents sticking.
- The batter will look slightly loose, that’s normal, don’t be tempted to add more flour.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm with a cup of tea or coffee
- Great for a weekend brunch spread
- Drizzle with extra orange-rosemary syrup right before serving
FAQ
- Can I make these vegan? Yes, swap the 3 eggs for ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce plus 1 tsp baking soda.
- Can I substitute the spelt flour? Yes, regular all-purpose flour works as a substitute.
- How do I store these? Best the day they’re baked, but keep in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Looking for more sweet recipes?
Upside-Down Spelt Orange Muffins with Semolina
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whole spelt flour (see Key Ingredients for substitutes)
- 1 cup semolina
- 1 cup ground almonds
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 cup orange juice
- ½ cup olive oil
- 3 eggs (see FAQ for a vegan swap)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
For the upside-down oranges:
- 2 oranges sliced into ¼-inch (0.5cm) coins
- 2 cups water
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 sprig rosemary
Instructions:
- Prep the oven and pan: Preheat to 350°F (180°C). Grease a muffin tray well.
- Cook the oranges: In a pot, combine the sliced oranges, water, brown sugar, and rosemary. Bring to a boil over medium heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Carefully remove the oranges and let cool.
- Arrange the oranges: Once the orange slices have cooled slightly, trim the peel off each one with a sharp knife to make clean rounds. Place one orange coin in the bottom of each greased muffin cup.
- Mix the batter: In a mixing bowl, combine the spelt flour, semolina, ground almonds, and baking powder. Stir. In a separate bowl, combine the orange juice, olive oil, eggs, and vanilla extract, and mix until well combined.
- Combine: Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until smooth, with no lumps. The batter will be slightly loose, that's normal.
- Fill and bake: Fill each muffin cup almost to the top with batter. Bake for 17-20 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes.
- Release and finish: Run a knife around the edges of each muffin to loosen it, then flip the tray over onto a cooling rack. Spoon some of the orange-rosemary syrup over each muffin.
Notes:
- Best the day they’re baked, but keep in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Regular all-purpose flour can be used instead of spelt flour.
- For a vegan version, swap the 3 eggs for ¾ cup unsweetened applesauce plus 1 tsp baking soda.
Did you make this recipe? Let me knowLeave a comment or share it on Instagram and tag #thehappylentils
Loved to read about your grandmothers, their kitchen and goodness. Thank you. I remembered mine and tears of admiration followed.