These cranberry orange muffins are moist, fluffy and bursting with juicy cranberries in every chunk! 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 let you know, after testing 4 totally different variations, I feel I nailed this recipe. These are the most effective cranberry orange muffins I’ve ever had, if I do say so myself!
These muffins are SO fluffy and moist they usually’re bursting with orange taste and tart cranberries in every chunk. The orange cranberry combo is chef’s kiss, as my daughter Olivia would say!
It’s the right festive recipe to get pleasure from for breakfast or a snack all season lengthy. It will additionally make for a fantastic 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
- Excellent texture – These muffins have the right texture! They’re delicate, moist, and fluffy… simply how muffins must be!
- More healthy – Most bakery-style 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 easy 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 delicate 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 intense citrus taste and tart cranberries.
- eggs – helps bind every little thing collectively and provides the muffins construction.
- pure maple syrup – naturally sweetens the muffins with a refined maple taste. No refined sugar right here!
- greek yogurt – to switch a few 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 may even work.
- olive oil or applesauce – 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 – two must-have substances for this recipe! For the most effective 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 should you’re utilizing frozen cranberries.
Discover the total ingredient record with measurements within the recipe card beneath.
Recipe Substitutions
- All-purpose flour: You’ll be able to swap in complete wheat flour or complete wheat pastry flour for a lift of fiber, however remember the fact that it’d make the muffins a bit denser. In order for you 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. You could possibly additionally use bitter cream as an alternative if that’s what you might have available.
- Maple syrup: Honey is a good different should 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 you need to have the ability to substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten free flour mix. Simply make sure you use a high-quality model for the most effective 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 may attempt a vegan substitute like chia eggs or flax eggs. Let me know should you do attempt both of those within the feedback beneath!
The best way to Make Cranberry Orange Muffins
The recipe for these cranberry orange muffins is fairly straight ahead. Right here’s learn how 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 massive 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 Suggestions!
- Measure flour appropriately: That is vital to make sure your muffins don’t prove 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 degree 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 neglect to cut the cranberries: To ensure you get cranberry in each chunk, make sure you pulse them in a meals processor earlier than mixing into the batter.
- Don’t over-mix: One of many key steps to reaching fluffy, tender muffins is to keep away from over-mixing the batter. Stir till simply mixed for the most effective texture. It’s okay if there are nonetheless just a few flour streaks seen, particularly because you’ll be mixing the batter as soon as once more if you add the cranberries.
- Use silicone or paper liners: These make for simple removing and fewer mess. For those who don’t have liners, be certain that to completely grease the muffin tins. These are my favourite silicone muffin cups.
- Check for doneness: Insert a toothpick into the middle of a muffin to examine in the event that they’re executed. If it comes out clear or with only a few crumbs, they’re prepared to return out of the oven.
The best way 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 too can 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.
Continuously Requested Questions
A microplane zester or wonderful grater works finest for zesting. Make certain to solely grate the outermost orange layer of the peel (the zest), avoiding the white pith, which will be bitter.
Including an excessive amount of flour may end up in dry muffins, so ensure you’re measuring your flour appropriately. Both use a scale 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 degree it off. Don’t pack your flour down!
Over-baking is one other widespread cause for dry muffins. Make certain to examine them a couple of minutes earlier than the recommended baking time as ovens can range. Take away them from the oven as quickly as a toothpick comes out clear.
Whereas you should use dried cranberries, I might 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 received’t provide the juicy bites of cranberries, that are the most effective half, IMO! All that mentioned, if you wish to use dried cranberries I might 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 wish 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 take a look at all of my muffin recipes and the total assortment of breakfast recipes right here on EBF!
For those who loved this recipe, please contemplate leaving a ⭐ star ranking and let me know the way it went within the 📝 feedback beneath.
