These cranberry orange muffins are moist, fluffy and bursting with juicy cranberries in every chew! Theyโre made with healthful components and naturally sweetened with maple syrup.
When brainstorming new vacation recipes to share this 12 months I knew I wanted to develop a recipe for wholesome cranberry orange muffins.
And let me let you know, after testing 4 completely different variations, I feel I nailed this recipe. These are the perfect cranberry orange muffins Iโve ever had, if I donโt say so myself!
These muffins are SO fluffy and moist and so theyโre bursting with orange taste and tart cranberries in every chew. The orange cranberry combo is chefโs kiss as my daughter Olivia would say!
Itโs the proper festive recipe to get pleasure from for breakfast or a snack all season lengthy. It might additionally make for an amazing addition to your Christmas brunch alongside my make-ahead breakfast casserole, air fryer breakfast potatoes, fruit salad and apple cider mimosas.
Why Youโll Love These Muffins
- Good texture โ These muffins have the proper texture! They’re tender, moist and fluffyโฆ simply how muffins ought to be!
- More healthyย โ Most bakery model 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.
- Straightforwardย โ With easy components and easy steps, these muffins come collectively in about half-hour from begin to end.
- Versatile โ Get pleasure from these muffins for a fast on-the-go breakfast, afternoon snack or serve them at your vacation brunch. Belief me, everybody will love them!
Elements Wanted
- all-purpose flour โ I used all-purpose flour for these muffins to maintain them completely tender and fluffy.
- baking powder and baking soda โ these work collectively to assist the muffins rise completely.
- floor cinnamon โ provides a heat, cozy contact that enhances the brilliant citrus taste and tart cranberries.
- eggs โ helps bind all the things collectively and provides the muffins construction.
- pure maple syrup โ naturally sweetens the muffins with a delicate maple taste. No refined sugar right here!
- greek yogurt โ to exchange a number of the oil I used greek yogurt, which additionally provides a pleasant enhance of protein. I sometimes use full-fat yogurt, however low-fat yogurt can even work.
- olive oil or applesauce โ to maintain these muffins additional moist I sometimes use olive oil or avocado oil, however applesauce is a good different for an oil-free possibility.
- orange juice and orange zest โ two must-have components for this recipe! For the perfect orange taste I recommend utilizing freshly squeezed orange juice. Plus, youโll want a contemporary orange in any case for the zest.
- cranberries โ canโt have cranberry muffins with out the cranberries! Both contemporary or frozen ones work for this recipe. No must thaw when youโre utilizing frozen cranberries.
Discover the total ingredient record with measurements within the recipe card under.
Recipe Substitutions
- All-purpose flour: You may 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 would like a lighter texture, attempt 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 good different when you donโt have maple syrup available. Simply know that honey will add a barely completely different taste to those muffins.
- Make them gluten-free: I havenโt tried it, however you need to have the ability to substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour mix. Simply you’ll want to use a high-quality model for the perfect outcomes.
- Make them dairy-free: Use a dairy-free yogurt as an alternative of greek yogurt.
- Make them egg-free: I havenโt tried it, however you possibly can attempt a vegan substitute like chia eggs or flax eggs. Let me know when you do attempt both of those within the feedback under!
Find out how to Make Cranberry Orange Muffins
The recipe for these cranberry orange muffins is fairly straight ahead. Right hereโs how one can 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 clean and mixed.
Step 3: Add your flour combination to the moist components and blend collectively till simply mixed. Donโt 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 fully.
Brittanyโs Suggestions!
- Measure flour appropriately: That is vital to make sure your muffins donโt 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: Itโs a lot simpler to zest your orange earlier than juicing!
- Donโt overlook to cut the cranberries: To ensure you get cranberry in each chew, you’ll want to pulse them in a meals processor earlier than mixing into the batter.
- Donโt over-mix:ย One of many key steps to attaining fluffy, tender muffins is to keep away from over-mixing the batter. Stir till simply mixed for the perfect texture. Itโs okay if there are nonetheless a number of flour streaks seen, particularly because youโll be mixing the batter as soon as once more whenever you add the cranberries.
- Use silicone or paper liners: These make for straightforward elimination and fewer mess. When you donโt have liners, be certain that to totally grease the muffin tins. These are my favouriteย silicone muffin cups.
- Take a look at for doneness:ย Insert a toothpick into the middle of a muffin to test in the event that theyโre completed. If it comes out clear or with only a few crumbs, theyโre prepared to come back out of the oven.
Find out 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 can even 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.
Ceaselessly 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 ensure youโre measuring your flour appropriately. Both use a scale when 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 test them a couple of minutes earlier than the advised baking time as ovens can fluctuate. 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 sometimes have added sugar, so the sugar content material will go up in these muffins. Dried additionally gainedโt provide the juicy bites of cranberries, that are the perfect 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. Youโll additionally most likely wish to use lower than whatโs listed for contemporary or frozen cranberries. Iโd begin with 1 cup and add extra if desired.
Extra Muffin Recipes to Strive
Be sure you take a look at all of myย muffin recipesย and the total assortment ofย breakfast recipesย right here on EBF!
When you loved this recipe, please think about leaving a โญ star score and let me know the way it went within the ๐ feedback under.
