These cranberry orange muffins are moist, fluffy and bursting with juicy cranberries in every chew! They’re made with healthful substances and naturally sweetened with maple syrup.
When brainstorming new vacation recipes to share this yr I knew I wanted to develop a recipe for wholesome cranberry orange muffins.
And let me inform you, after testing 4 totally different variations, I believe I nailed this recipe. These are one of the best cranberry orange muffins I’ve ever had, if I don’t say so myself!
These muffins are SO fluffy and moist and so they’re bursting with orange taste and tart cranberries in every chew. The orange cranberry combo is chef’s kiss as my daughter Olivia would say!
It’s the proper festive recipe to get pleasure from for breakfast or a snack all season lengthy. It will additionally make for a terrific addition to your Christmas brunch alongside my make-ahead breakfast casserole, air fryer breakfast potatoes, fruit salad and apple cider mimosas.
Why You’ll Love These Muffins
- Good texture – These muffins have the proper texture! They’re tender, moist and fluffy… simply how muffins ought to be!
- More healthy – Most bakery fashion muffins are made with white sugar, butter or vegetable oil, however not these ones! These cranberry orange muffins are made with greek yogurt, heart-healthy olive oil and maple syrup, making them a more healthy different.
- Simple – With easy substances and simple steps, these muffins come collectively in about half-hour from begin to end.
- Versatile – Take pleasure in these muffins for a fast on-the-go breakfast, afternoon snack or serve them at your vacation brunch. Belief me, everybody will love them!
Components Wanted
- all-purpose flour – I used all-purpose flour for these muffins to maintain them completely tender and fluffy.
- baking powder and baking soda – these work collectively to assist the muffins rise completely.
- floor cinnamon – provides a heat, cozy contact that enhances the brilliant citrus taste and tart cranberries.
- eggs – helps bind all the pieces collectively and offers the muffins construction.
- pure maple syrup – naturally sweetens the muffins with a refined maple taste. No refined sugar right here!
- greek yogurt – to exchange a number of the oil I used greek yogurt, which additionally provides a pleasant increase of protein. I usually use full-fat yogurt, however low-fat yogurt may also work.
- olive oil or applesauce – to maintain these muffins further moist I usually use olive oil or avocado oil, however applesauce is a superb different for an oil-free choice.
- orange juice and orange zest – two must-have substances for this recipe! For one of the best orange taste I counsel utilizing freshly squeezed orange juice. Plus, you’ll want a contemporary orange in any case for the zest.
- cranberries – can’t have cranberry muffins with out the cranberries! Both contemporary or frozen ones work for this recipe. No must thaw in case you’re utilizing frozen cranberries.
Discover the complete ingredient checklist with measurements within the recipe card beneath.
Recipe Substitutions
- All-purpose flour: You possibly can swap in complete wheat flour or complete wheat pastry flour for a lift of fiber, however needless to say it would make the muffins a bit denser. If you need a lighter texture, strive utilizing half complete wheat and half all-purpose.
- Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt provides a bit of additional protein and a pleasant creaminess, however any yogurt will do the trick, attempt to keep away from yogurts with added flavors or sugars.
- Maple syrup: Honey is a superb different in case you don’t have maple syrup available. Simply know that honey will add a barely totally different taste to those muffins.
- Make them gluten-free: I haven’t tried it, however it’s best to be capable of substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix. Simply make sure to use a high-quality model for one of the best outcomes.
- Make them dairy-free: Use a dairy-free yogurt as an alternative of greek yogurt.
- Make them egg-free: I haven’t tried it, however you possibly can strive a vegan substitute like chia eggs or flax eggs. Let me know in case you do strive both of those within the feedback beneath!
Learn how to Make Cranberry Orange Muffins
The recipe for these cranberry orange muffins is fairly straight ahead. Right here’s easy methods to make them:
Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine collectively your flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.
Step 2: In a separate giant mixing bowl add your eggs, maple syrup, greek yogurt, oil, orange juice, orange zest and vanilla. Whisk collectively till easy and mixed.
Step 3: Add your flour combination to the moist substances and blend collectively till simply mixed. Don’t over combine!
Step 4: Gently stir within the chopped cranberries.
Step 5: Divide the batter evenly between your muffin pan.
Step 6: Bake for 20-22 minutes, or till a toothpick inserted comes out clear. Let the muffins cool for a couple of minutes, then switch to a wire rack to chill utterly.
Brittany’s Ideas!
- Measure flour accurately: That is necessary to make sure your muffins don’t end up dry or dense. Both use a scale or if utilizing a measuring cup, be certain that to fluff your flour up with a fork or spoon first. Then spoon the flour into your measuring cup and use a knife to stage it off. Don’t pack your flour down!
- Zest earlier than juicing: It’s a lot simpler to zest your orange earlier than juicing!
- Don’t overlook to cut the cranberries: To be sure to get cranberry in each chew, make sure to pulse them in a meals processor earlier than mixing into the batter.
- Don’t over-mix: One of many key steps to attaining fluffy, tender muffins is to keep away from over-mixing the batter. Stir till simply mixed for one of the best texture. It’s okay if there are nonetheless a number of flour streaks seen, particularly because you’ll be mixing the batter as soon as once more once you add the cranberries.
- Use silicone or paper liners: These make for simple elimination and fewer mess. If you happen to don’t have liners, be certain that to totally grease the muffin tins. These are my favourite silicone muffin cups.
- Check for doneness: Insert a toothpick into the middle of a muffin to verify in the event that they’re performed. If it comes out clear or with just some crumbs, they’re prepared to return out of the oven.
Learn how to Retailer Muffins
These muffins retailer very well. Retailer them in an hermetic container at room temperature for 2-3 days or within the fridge for 4-5 days.
You may also freeze these for longer storage. I like to recommend utilizing a freezer-safe container and storing them for as much as 3 months. Thaw within the fridge or at room temperature earlier than having fun with.
Regularly Requested Questions
A microplane zester or superb grater works finest for zesting. Be sure that to solely grate the outermost orange layer of the peel (the zest), avoiding the white pith, which may be bitter.
Including an excessive amount of flour can lead to dry muffins, so be sure to’re measuring your flour accurately. Both use a scale if in case you have one or use a measuring cup. If utilizing measuring cups, be certain that to fluff your flour up with a fork or spoon first. Then spoon the flour into your measuring cup and use a knife to stage it off. Don’t pack your flour down!
Over-baking is one other frequent purpose for dry muffins. Be sure that to verify them a couple of minutes earlier than the prompt baking time as ovens can differ. Take away them from the oven as quickly as a toothpick comes out clear.
Whereas you should utilize dried cranberries, I’d extremely suggest sticking to frozen or contemporary cranberries as an alternative. Dried cranberries are chewier and usually have added sugar, so the sugar content material will go up in these muffins. Dried additionally received’t provide the juicy bites of cranberries, that are one of the best half, IMO! All that mentioned, if you wish to use dried cranberries I’d rehydrate them first by letting them soak in heat water for 10-Quarter-hour, then pat dry then combine into the batter. You’ll additionally most likely need to use lower than what’s listed for contemporary or frozen cranberries. I’d begin with 1 cup and add extra if desired.
Extra Muffin Recipes to Strive
You should definitely try all of my muffin recipes and the complete assortment of breakfast recipes right here on EBF!
If you happen to loved this recipe, please think about leaving a ⭐ star score and let me know the way it went within the 📝 feedback beneath.
