Cranberry Orange Muffins are a delightful treat, perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack. The combination of tart cranberries and zesty orange creates a burst of flavor in every bite. These muffins are moist, tender, and incredibly easy to make. They’re sure to become a family favorite. One of my earliest baking memories involves a similar recipe with my grandma; the aroma of citrus and warm muffins wafting through the house is something I'll always cherish. I remember one time she accidentally added way too much orange zest and we all ended up with slightly bitter muffins! We laughed about it for years.
What makes these muffins special is the balance of sweet and tangy. The cranberries provide a wonderful tartness that's perfectly complemented by the bright citrus notes of the orange. The addition of orange zest elevates the flavor, making each muffin taste like a little piece of sunshine. Plus, the vibrant red cranberries add a beautiful pop of color, making them visually appealing. I once brought these to a friend’s potluck, and they were gone within minutes! Everyone raved about how delicious and festive they were.
Baking these muffins is a breeze. The recipe is straightforward, and you probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry. From start to finish, you can have a batch of warm, fragrant muffins ready in under an hour. And the best part? They're incredibly versatile. Feel free to add a handful of chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or even a streusel topping for extra decadence. I even tried adding a hint of cardamom once, and it was a surprisingly delicious twist. I am not sure about you but I'm super excited to share this recipe with you guys. It is such a blast to make and taste.
Required Equipments
- Mixing Bowls
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Muffin Tin
- Paper Liners (optional)
- Zester
- Citrus Juicer
- Whisk
- Rubber Spatula
Cranberry Orange Muffins: Frequently Asked Questions
Cranberry Orange Muffins
These Cranberry Orange Muffins offer a delightful blend of tart cranberries and zesty orange in a moist, easy-to-make muffin. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a sweet snack, they're sure to brighten your day.
⏳ Yield & Time
Yield: 12 servings
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time:
🍽 Ingredients
📖 Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Place paper liners in a 12-cup muffin tin, or grease the tin well if you're not using liners.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make sure there aren't any lumps in the flour.
- In a separate bowl, combine the melted butter, orange zest, orange juice, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk until everything is well combined. The mixture should look slightly frothy.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are okay. Overmixing can result in tough muffins.
- Gently fold in the fresh cranberries. If using frozen cranberries, add them directly without thawing. A little trick I learned is to toss the cranberries in flour before folding them in—this keeps them from sinking!
- Spoon the batter into the prepared muffin tin, filling each cup about 2/3 full. This prevents overflow while baking.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The muffins should be golden brown and spring back lightly when touched.
- Let the muffins cool in the tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. This prevents them from getting soggy.
- For an optional glaze, whisk together powdered sugar and a tablespoon or two of orange juice until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled muffins. I like to add a pinch of orange zest to the glaze for extra flavor.
📝 Notes
- For a sweeter muffin, increase sugar to 1 cup.
- Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans for added texture.
- Drizzle with a simple orange glaze for extra flavor and presentation.
🍎 Nutrition
Calories: 250 kcal
Protein: 3g
Fat: 10g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 1g
Calcium: 50mg
