Berry Buttermilk Muffins

I just want you to know that I am forgoing my shower to get this recipe to you! These muffins are that good {AND beautiful, don't you think?} My wonderful sister-in-law Teresa gave this recipe to me and I love her even more (if that is even possible) for it! Now, I already know she has great taste (we married brothers after all!) but I truly think we are soul sisters in food. My L.O.V.E. for muffins runs deep but these just brought it to a whole new level. Now that I have talked them up so much, you better get cooking!

Berry Buttermilk Muffins

(12 muffins)

2 1/2 cups flour

3/4 cup sugar

2 t baking powder

1/4 t baking soda

1/4 t salt

zest of one orange (I used two cutie mandarin oranges)

1 egg, slightly beaten

3/4 cup buttermilk

2/3 cup oil

1 t vanilla

2 cups fresh or frozen berries (I used a frozen triple berry mix from Costco)

*sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg*- mixed together to sprinkle over the tops

Preheat oven to 375. Grease a 12-muffin pan. In a bowl whisk together buttermilk, egg, vanilla and oil, set aside. In another large bowl mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and orange zest. Gently fold in the berries (mine were still frozen) until coated with flour mixture. Now, fold in the wet ingredients and mix carefully until the flour is absorbed being careful not to over mix (this will make tough muffins). Divide batter evenly between 12 muffin cups and sprinkle the tops with cinnamon, sugar, nutmeg mixture. Place in oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean (it may be a little longer if your berries are frozen) . Let the muffins cool for 5 minutes before taking them out of the pan.